May 10, 2019, Napa, CA – “Wine Country,” the movie, debuts on Netflix on May 10, 2019. The American comedy, filmed in Napa Valley in May 2018, is produced and directed by Amy Poehler, who stars alongside SNL (Saturday Night Live) veterans Maya Rudolph, Tina Fey, Emily Spivey, Rachel Dratch, Ana Gasteyer, Paula Pell, and Jason Schwrtzman. The film, which was inspired by a few memorable vacations that the comedians and their friends shared together, involves six girlfriends celebrating a 50th birthday in Napa Valley.
Featured Napa Valley locations include Artesa Winery and Baldacci Family Vineyards in Napa, Quintessa in St. Helena, and the downtown area of Calistoga.
Visitors may create their own “Wine Country” experience by visiting one or more of the wineries or locations showcased in the film, or plan their own unique Napa Valley “girlfriend getaway.”
Artesa Vineyards and Winery
“Wine Country” features sunny scenes with blue skies and rolling hills at the modern hilltop estate winery Artesa, in the Carneros region of Napa Valley. In an interview with Wine Enthusiast magazine, Amy Poehler calls the winery “fantastic,” with “killer views and super nice people.” Dratch certainly agrees — she told The Hollywood Reporter that day was “memorable because we were surrounded by epic panoramas.”
Baldacci Family Vineyards
In the film, the characters visit the fictional Morgan Jorng winery, however, the scenery in the organic vineyard scene is actually home to Baldacci Family Vineyards, located on the Silverado Trail in Napa. The barn at the winery is also featured in the film, with a memorable “piano scene” with Maya Rudolph.
Quintessa
Scenes from the movie were also filmed at Quintessa located on the Silverado Trail in St. Helena. The winery’s scenic hillside retreat and cellar may be seen in the film, including an unforgettable “athletic stunt” by each of the characters.
Calistoga
Calistoga, located at the north end of the Napa Valley, is best known for its small-town charm, natural hot springs and mud baths. During scouting last March, the crew was captured by the town’s main street, Lincoln Avenue. In the film, after a celebratory dinner (filmed on set in Los Angeles), the group of female friends may be seen walking along Lincoln Avenue’s array of antique shops; restaurants; bars and wine tasting rooms.
Other Napa Valley “Cast and Crew” Napa Valley experiences:
During scouting in March 2018, the crew, including director and actor Amy Poehler, stayed at the Napa Valley Marriott Hotel and Spa in Napa, and were frequently spotted in downtown Napa, including the Sky & Vine Rooftop Bar with a panoramic view of downtown Napa from the sixth floor of Archer Hotel Napa.
During filming in May 2018, the cast stayed at Andaz Napa, located on First Street in Downtown Napa. Across from Andaz, the cast discovered a favorite dining spot, Oenotri, located at 1425 First St., which offers Southern Italian cuisine. Actress Rachel Dratch was a big fan, telling The Hollywood Reporter “We ended up eating at that place almost every night because the food was just really, really good.”
Some of the cast also indulged in fried chicken night at Ad Hoc in Yountville, Thomas Keller’s casual dining venue which showcases American comfort food from the chef’s childhood.
For the wrap party in May 2018, the cast and crew rented out Gran Electrica, a popular Mexican restaurant which opened in March 2018 on Main Street in Downtown Napa
For the preview party in late April 2019, the cast and crew stayed at Vista Collina Resort, which opened in Napa in August 2018. To celebrate girlfriend getaways and the release of the film, the resort offers a new overnight package “Good Times + Napa Wines”. https://meritagecollection.com/vista-collina/special-offers/girls-getaway
According to Visit Napa Valley’s 2018 Napa Valley Visitor Profile report, 31.1 percent of visitors came to the Napa Valley for “getaways” and 51.3 percent of visitors were female. The average visiting traveling party consisted of 4.4 people. The top activity for visitors was visiting wineries (81 percent); followed by dining in restaurants (65.2 percent); followed by winery tours (45.3 percent) followed by shopping (39.8 percent).
About Visit Napa Valley
Visit Napa Valley is the official tourism marketing organization for the Napa Valley, with a mission to promote, protect and enhance the region’s position as one of the world’s premier wine, food, arts and wellness destinations.
The Napa Valley, conveniently located just an hour from the San Francisco Bay Area, consists of the following distinctive towns, including, from north to south, Calistoga, St. Helena, Rutherford/Oakville, Yountville, the city of Napa, American Canyon, and the outdoor recreation area of Lake Berryessa.
The Napa Valley Welcome Center, located at 600 Main St. along the riverfront in downtown Napa, provides visitors with expert Concierge services from Napa Valley Ambassadors who offer complimentary Napa Valley magazines, maps, brochures and winery tasting passes. The Welcome Center, open daily 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., also offers complimentary Wi-Fi and a mercantile shop featuring locally sourced gift items.
For additional information on the Napa Valley, or to plan your Napa Valley experience, please explore VisitNapaValley.com, and follow us on Facebook and Instagram @VisitNapaValley.
