Wine Club Member Only Case

A Little Romance (1979). In this enchanting story, a young American girl finds herself navigating the joys and challenges of love while exploring the beauty of Paris. Directed by George Roy Hill, it features a teenage Diane Lane whose romance is aided by an older pickpocket played by Laurence Olivier. Released to lackluster reviews, it has since grown a devoted following. The film's whimsical and heartwarming nature mirrors the characteristics of this smooth and fun Malbec, bringing a little of touch of elegance to the experience.

Horror of Dracula (1958). Hammer, a small British studio, started a horror renaissance when it began reimagining genre classics in full color. This adaptation followed The Curse of Frankenstein (1957), which also featured the classic acting duo of Peter Cushing and Christopher Lee. Here, Cushing stars as vampire hunter Dr. Van Helsing opposite Lee as the title character. The film was such a great success that the studio cancelled all non-horror films in their pipeline and began working on other soon-to-be horror classics. This deep, dark red wine pays homage to a favorite vampire incarnation, the bat. Its bold, strong flavors make it a well-suited viewing companion.

Gorgo (1961). Named after the dinosaur fossils and ancient boulders strewn among the vineyard, Stones & Bones Sauvignon Blanc stands tall among the competition. The same can be said of this standout, low-budget creature feature which delivers on dinosaur action in a big way. The story tells the tale of a giant reptile brought back to New York for exhibition after an expedition in parts unknown. Tom Howard's visual effects helped elevate the film to cult status, as does the cinematography of Freddie Young, who would move onto David Lean's Lawrence of Arabia in the following year.

Knights of the Round Table (1954). MGM’s first film shot in CinemaScope is a vibrant retelling of the Arthurian legend, featuring Mel Ferrer as King Arthur, Ava Gardner as Queen Guinevere and Robert Taylor as Sir Lancelot. Richard Thorpe’s grand direction, paired with lavish costumes and stunning on-location sets, brings Camelot’s timeless romance to life. Just as the film layers legend and romance, this white wine offers a lush, textured experience that complements the allure of the legendary kingdom.

Fallen Idol (1948). In this suspenseful drama, a young boy’s innocent admiration for the family butler becomes clouded by misunderstandings leading to dangerous consequences. With Ralph Richardson’s captivating performance as the devoted servant and Carol Reed’s masterful (mis)direction, the film unfolds in a world of complex moral dilemmas and misperceptions. This rich Primitivo, with its smooth and dark character, aligns perfectly with the multi-layered story. Both will capture your attention until the end.

Father of the Bride (1950). In this beloved family comedy, a doting father finds himself overwhelmed as his daughter prepares for her wedding. With Spencer Tracy bringing warmth and humor to the role, and Elizabeth Taylor glowing as the young bride, Vincente Minnelli’s direction captures both the hilarity and tenderness of this family event. Earning three Academy Award nominations—including Best Actor for Tracy and Best Picture—this classic was an instant hit. The movie’s joyful, yet chaotic, energy complements this deliciously crisp Italian bubbly that adds a touch of sophistication and sparkle.

Cat People (1942). A B-movie that rose above its limitations to become a suspense and horror classic. A response to Universal's The Wolf Man (1941), RKO's story of lycanthropy relied more heavily on suggestion and imagination than makeup and special effects. The first feature produced by Val Lewton, the film is a perfect match for this smooth and imaginative red blend with its own distinctive notes of passion and intrigue.

Gidget (1959). An Australian wine that can be described as "sunshine in a glass" calls for a sunny, smile-inducing movie. With a contagiously effervescent Sandra Dee as the teen surfer, this hit film helped to bring Southern Californian culture to the masses. Its popularity led to two sequels and a television series that launched the career of Sally Field.

Cool Hand Luke (1967). This cool South African Sauvignon Blanc helps to create an easygoing, relaxed mood, which is a nice complement to the cool but rebellious namesake of this 1967 classic. It stars Paul Newman as a free-spirited convict who refuses to let his spirit be broken while serving two years on a Southern chain gang. Directed by Stuart Rosenberg, it also features a standout performance by George Kennedy, who won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his performance as fellow convict, Dragline.

The Falcon and the Snowman (1985). In this intense drama, the relationship between two friends unravels as they naively stumble deep into the world of Cold War espionage. Directed by John Schlesinger, it stars Timothy Hutton (the Falcon) as an ex-seminary student who partners with Sean Penn (the Snowman), a small time drug-dealer, to pass on government secrets to the Russians in a misguided attempt at an ethical deed. This Portuguese white wine with its own falcon identity is far from a misstep. The wine's vibrant and dynamic notes pair perfectly with this high-tension story of intrigue, betrayal and moral conflict.

The Merry Widow (1934). This classic romance follows a prince who tries to lure a wealthy widow, and her money, back to her home country, the fictitious Marshovia. Directed by Ernst Lubitsch, the film stars Jeanette MacDonald and Maurice Chevalier. Lush and cinematic, it won the Academy Award for Best Art Direction. Sipping this silky smooth Pinot Noir is the perfect way to enjoy its luxurious setting and romantic plot.

It Happened on 5th Avenue (1947). This lush Viognier, brimming with personality, captures the heartwarming spirit of a holiday classic where unexpected friendships flourish. In this seasonal favorite, a group of unlikely characters finds solace in a vacant mansion on Fifth Avenue during the Christmas season. Directed by Roy Del Ruth, the film features a charming cast, including Victor Moore, Don DeFore and Gale Storm. The wine’s bright peach notes and lively flavors mirror the movie's warmth, making it a perfect companion for holiday cheer.

Vertigo (1958). Alfred Hitchcock's masterpiece of love, loss and mysterious identities uses a clever floral motif to link a flower shop, a painterly bouquet and the terrifying dreams of the main character (James Stewart). This full-bodied white wine, with its own strong floral undertones, makes an excellent companion. Co-starring Kim Novak in her most iconic role, the film is widely considered to be one of the best ever brought to screen.

Mania (aka The Flesh and the Fiends) (1960). This bold Zinfandel, brimming with dark-fruit flavors, is a perfect match for the chilling tale inspired by Scotland’s infamous body snatchers. In this atmospheric thriller, Peter Cushing stars as Dr. Robert Knox, a surgeon whose quest for medical progress entangles him with two men willing to kill to deliver fresh cadavers. Known for his numerous roles in Hammer Horror films, Cushing brings gravitas to this often overlooked horror classic.

Three on a Match (1932). This robust Cabernet ripe with flavor makes the perfect match for this pre-Code classic intertwining scandal, friendship and fate. Directed by Mervyn LeRoy, the film follows Vivian Revere (Ann Dvorak) as she leaves her seemingly happy family while falling for gangster Michael Loftus (Lyle Talbot). Joan Blondell and Bette Davis play friends from childhood who try to save Vivian from her self-imposed fate. It's a tale as bold as the wine. Dvorak's descent into despair is often cited as a prime example of pre-Code's darker side.

La Strada (1954). A product of Rome, this white wine showcases the local Malvasia Puntinata grape that thrives in the region. It brims with authenticity and character. This Federico Fellini tale, also authentically Italian, tells the unconventional love story between strong-man performer Zampano (Anthony Quinn) and his supporting act and travelling companion, Gelsomina (Giulietta Masina). A seminal Italian movie that helped make Fellini a worldwide sensation, it won the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film.

It would be criminal not to pair The Clink with a classic of the crime film genre. 39 Steps, starring Robert Donat and Madeleine Carroll, is as riveting and fun today as when initially released. This arresting adventure of a man falsely suspected of murder was pivotal in establishing Hitchcock as a premier director, a role that he would retain for decades to come.

Gone with the Wind (1939). A fiery Southern belle navigates love and loss amid the upheaval of the Civil War and Reconstruction. With Clark Gable’s roguish charisma and Vivien Leigh’s tenacious spirit, the story has captivated audiences since its first release. Its romanticization of the Antebellum South has given modern viewers an opportunity for reflection, but it remains a milestone of cinematic history. This was the first film to grace TCM’s screen, making it a fitting pairing to celebrate the network's anniversary.

Classic Movie Pairing: Airplane! (1980)
With its slapstick antics and silly one-liners, this irreverent comedy set the standard for all funny films to follow. A send-up of disaster movies (in particular the Airport series), it relaunched the career of costar Leslie Nielsen and positioned writer-directors Jim Abrahams, David Zucker and Jerry Zucker as comedy heavyweights. Try not to spill this bright and lively Paso Robles Chardonnay while chuckling along with this film’s hundred-gags-a-minute.

Illicit lovers fight to stay together during the turbulent years of the Russian Revolution.

A doctor uses special eye drops to give himself x-ray vision, but the new power has disastrous consequences.

Escaped Civil War POWs end up on an island populated by giant animals.

Starring the ever-popular John Wayne and filmed in Utah’s Monument Valley, The Searchers epitomizes the Western and remains one of the most respected films of all time in any genre. Though uncommonly soulful, it tells a compelling rescue story with some of Hollywood’s most thrilling screen moments. Shot in gorgeous VistaVision, it’s also the perfect sidekick to this complex red from the rugged terrain of the Mendoza region.

A police lieutenant tackles corruption when his best friend is killed.

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.

An aging cowboy finds that the successful business he has inherited is actually a house of prostitution.

This classic romance follows a prince who tries to lure a wealthy widow, and her money, back to his home country, the fictious Marshovia. Directed by Ernst Lubitsch, the film stars Jeanette MacDonald and Maurice Chevalier. Lush and cinematic, it won the Academy Award for Best Art Direction. Sipping on this silky smooth Pinot Noir is the perfect way to enjoy its luxurious setting and romantic plot.

Two American hunters in Scotland discover a mystical village that only materializes once every century.

Adapted from the Graham Greene novel A Gun for Sale, this iconic noir stars Alan Ladd as the double-crossed, cold-blooded killer, Philip Raven. It was also the first of four classic Paramount pairings with his co-lead, the striking and unforgettable Veronica Lake. Tense from start to finish, it is a favorite of fans of the genre. Pair with this equally intense and memorable red that you also won’t soon forget.

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 Trebbinao provides a zingy backdrop to this fun and memorable romance.