Wine Club Member Only Case

Winner of the Grand Jury Prize at the Cannes Film Festival and the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film, this charming Italian drama tells the story of a boy and his mentor: the projectionist at his local theater. The relationship instills a lifelong love of cinema, which leads to his becoming a renowned film director. La Chiamata translates to “the calling,” much like the one in the film. The expressive Italian red pairs well with this poignant Italian counterpart.

D.H. Lawrence’s famous novel about a British mining family is adapted to the screen by celebrated cinematographer Jack Cardiff in his directorial debut, for which he would gain an Oscar nomination. Cardiff handed over filming duties here to fellow Brit Freddie Francis, who shot this captivating drama in gorgeous CinemaScope and, in fact, took home the Academy Award for his work. Savor the dramatic complexities of the film with the velvety tannins and subtle spice notes of this delightful Spanish Cabernet.

This Sauvignon Blanc is hardly as “loco” as its name suggests. It may be fun and flavorful, but it is also elegant and polished—much like The Shop Around the Corner. This evergreen romantic comedy is quintessential Ernst Lubitsch. Sophisticated, witty and charming, it reflects all the best elements of “The Lubitsch Touch.” Filled with great performances, it stars James Stewart and Margaret Sullavan.

By the late 1930s, Preston Sturges had established himself as a writer of remarkable wit and sophistication. In this first directorial effort, he charts the unlikely rise and fall of a corrupt New York Governor (Brian Donlevy), an example of the comedic American social commentary for which Sturges became so well known. It’s a broadly entertaining film, as pleasing as the succulent flavors and fruit-forward aromas of this smooth Chardonnay.

This wine’s inviting floral aromas and intriguing minerality work nicely with the beautiful Gene Tierney as the central focus of Otto Preminger’s essential film noir. Adapted from Vera Caspary’s suspense novel of the same name, the film opens with the murder of the title character, who seems to have cast a spell over everyone she met—and even a few she hadn’t, like the no-nonsense detective played by Dana Andrews. Just as entrancing is composer David Raskin’s haunting main theme, one of the most beloved pieces of movie music in history.

This refreshing Sauvignon Blanc will pair beautifully with Ernst Lubitsch’s romantic comedy classic. Starring Jimmy Stewart and Margaret Sullavan as feuding coworkers and unwitting pen pals, it tells a timeless story that has been remade several times by Hollywood. Fittingly, the lovers’ secret is revealed through the use of a red carnation—a nice parallel to the floral art of Ernest Clayton, this delicious wine’s namesake.

Rich and fulfilling, previous vintages of this hearty red have been multi-award winners. The deft skill behind this finely crafted wine matches well with Martin Scorsese’s break-out film featuring career-making performances by Robert De Niro and Harvey Keitel.

King Vidor’s silent epic was one of the first major Hollywood films to depict modern warfare from a G.I.’s perspective. Audiences embraced its realism and made it one of the highest-grossing of all silent movies. Produced by the newly formed M-G-M studio, it tells the story of three friends (played by John Gilbert, Tom O’Brien and Karl Dane) who leave home and experience the horrors of war.

Savor one of Hitchcock’s most iconic and entertaining mysteries, featuring the unforgettable pairing of James Stewart and Grace Kelly. Stewart plays a photographer who uncovers a neighborhood murder (or does he?) while trapped at home with a broken leg. Nominated for four Academy Awards including Best Director, this remains one of Hitchcock’s most beloved films.

This red blend hails from the home of legendary adventurer Don Quixote, a literary figure who has a troubled cinematic history. Many have tried but few have succeeded in bringing the Miguel De Cervantes story to the big screen (including both Walt Disney and Orson Welles). This fun adaptation of the Broadway musical stars Peter O’Toole, Sophia Loren and James Coco and may be the most successful version to date.

The name of this gorgeous, silky red translates to “the vixen with black paws”— which calls for a movie of equal eloquence. Directed by Norman Jewison, this landmark heist film is a stylistic tour-de-force, making for a smooth cinematic treat. Not to be overlooked are its stars, vixen Faye Dunaway and sly fox Steve McQueen, who make quite a cool pair.

Robert Montgomery stars as Joe Pendleton, a boxer who is mistakenly claimed by heaven before his time is up. Claude Raines stars alongside him as Mr. Jordan, his celestial guardian, who tries to right the situation by finding another body that Joe can inhabit. An instant classic that won two Academy Awards (Best Screenplay and Best Original Story), it was later remade into another classic, Heaven Can Wait (1978). Both the movie and wine are light and fun. This fresh, elegant Albariño provides a little extra zing for this must-see comedy.

What better to pair with a fresh and bright white than this heartwarming seasonal favorite? Directed by Vincent Minnelli, it stars Judy Garland, Margaret O’Brien and Mary Astor and tells the story of the Smith family in turn-of-the-century St. Louis. A classic since its release, it contributed several standards to the American songbook including “The Trolley Song” and “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas.”

For a wine made in celebration of earthly harmony, pair the film adaptation of the landmark 1960s musical, which attempts to capture the free-spirited vibe of the hippie and anti-war movements. Czech director Miloš Forman had been a fan of the stage production, and the material’s youth-in-rebellion theme can be found throughout his career, from his early anti-Communist satires to Amadeus (1984). Indeed, one of this film’s pleasures is its young cast, including Treat Williams, Beverly D’Angelo and John Savage.

Rossano Brazzi plays into his persona of suave Italian playboy in this tale of an American teacher who journeys to Europe to find love. Suzanne Pleshette stars opposite not only Brazzi, but Troy Donahue as a fellow American and aspiring architect, and Angie Dickinson as his former lover. This delicious, aromatic Trebbiano provides a zingy backdrop to this fun and memorable romance.

This wine’s inviting floral aromas and intriguing minerality work nicely with the beautiful Gene Tierney as the central focus of Otto Preminger’s essential film noir. Adapted from Vera Caspary’s suspense novel of the same name, the film opens with the murder of the title character, who seems to have cast a spell over everyone she met—and even a few she hadn’t, like the no-nonsense detective played by Dana Andrews. Just as entrancing is composer David Raskin’s haunting main theme, one of the most beloved pieces of movie music in history.

One of the most literate, sensitively acted and beautifully directed movies of the 1930s, this William Wyler film drama is, like this French red, a classic blend of elements. Stars Walter Huston, Ruth Chatterton and Mary Astor impressively tell the story of an automotive magnate and his turbulent personal life. It’s a richly textured film and worthy of a wine of such smooth, rich character.

This landmark MGM film features a terrific cast of A-list stars, including Joan Crawford, John Barrymore and Greta Garbo. Each of these colorful personalities is given an intriguing storyline in the titular Berlin hotel, adding up to a well- balanced dramatic mix—perfect for a wine that shows off the best of Italy’s many grape varieties.

For a red named after the god of chaos, go with the original gangster classic from producer Howard Hughes. Unlike other famous crime films of the 1930s, which were fictional products of the studio system, Scarface was a renegade independent production that drew obvious parallels between its on-screen antihero (played by Paul Muni in a commanding performance) and his real-life inspiration, Al Capone. Director Howard Hawks created a richly designed and beautifully photographed film that echoes the wine’s savory black-fruit notes.

In this comedy-fantasy set during the Great Depression, Mia Farrow’s
wistful character Cecilia unites with her favorite film hero (played by Jeff
Daniels), who literally walks out of the movie and into her life. Woody
Allen’s film is an ode to our cinematic heroes and to the dream factory that lets us escape into exciting new worlds. Enjoy the humor and magic with a special treat: a glass of this unique Sauvignon Gris, a rare standalone grape from legendary Bordeaux.

This overlooked neo-noir thriller follows a bank teller (played by Elliot Gould) who outsmarts a psychotic bank robber (Christopher Plummer) by thwarting his heist and stealing the money first. Pair this Daryl Duke-directed cat-and-mouse story with this similarly rich and multi-layered Cabernet.

This Sauvignon Blanc is hardly as “loco” as its name suggests. It may be fun and flavorful, but it is also elegant and polished—much like The Shop Around the Corner. This evergreen romantic comedy is quintessential Ernst Lubitsch. Sophisticated, witty and charming, it reflects all the best elements of “The Lubitsch Touch.” Filled with great performances, it stars James Stewart and Margaret Sullavan.

By the late 1930s, Preston Sturges had established himself as a writer of remarkable wit and sophistication. In this first directorial effort, he charts the unlikely rise and fall of a corrupt New York Governor (Brian Donlevy), an example of the comedic American social commentary for which Sturges became so well known. It’s a broadly entertaining film, as pleasing as the succulent flavors and fruit-forward aromas of this smooth Chardonnay.

Rich and earthy, this Cabernet strikes the same notes as the classic melodrama. James Dean’s last film, it also stars Elizabeth Taylor and Rock Hudson. The movie tells the story of a Texas ranching family as it struggles to adapt to changing times. This robust Cabernet and its ripe flavors pairs perfectly with this full-force drama brimming with both romance and conflict.