When it looks as though Allee's family vineyard, Merado, is at stake, she is forced to pair with a new friend in an effort to avoid selling the property. What she doesn't know is that her newfound partner works for the corporate wine chain aiming to buy the property.
Starring: Susie Abromeit and Tim Ross
Image: Great American Media
My Movie Grade: A-
Romance at the Vineyard Focuses on Family Bonds
Great American family promises to be our entertainment destination for movies that emphasize faith, family, and seasonal celebrations, and Romance at the Vineyard definitely centers on family bonds.
Allee Balzerini hopes to take the reins of the family vineyard once her grandparents retire. Her heart is invested in the family business, and her goal is to preserve her grandparents' legacy.
Image: Great American Media
Although Gianna and Franco keep mum about their business's financial struggles, Allee and her brother, Nick, stumble upon the truth. The solution to the problem hinges on the success of the Pinot Noir the Balzerinis have been perfecting for the last decade. The wine has achieved national recognition, and if a pending deal goes through, the vineyard will stay afloat.
The plan is foiled, however, when the Pinot stored in new oak barrels is lost, and the stock can't be replaced until the following season. To save the deal, Allee decides to create a new wine blend that will be offered exclusively to Hank's Wine & Spirits.
The only problem is that Allee has no idea how to create a wine blend in five days.
Meanwhile, Wine Inc. is a Las Angeles corporate enterprise that is buying up all the vineyards in the Santa Barbara area. Since the Balzerinis have refused to sell, Ethan Blake, a chief player in acquisitions, is dispatched to convince the family to change their minds.
The moment Ethan meets Allee, he's smitten and realizes he can't reveal his true identity if he wants a chance with her. When Allee shares the bind her family is in because of the lost Pinot Noir, Ethan (who calls himself "Greg"), offers to help her create a new blend, since he's won four Decanter awards himself.
Reluctant to trust a stranger but also desperate, Allee accepts Greg's help. As the two spend time together, they start to fall in love, but will Greg's deception cause it all to end?
I'm sure you can guess the answer, if you haven't already watched the movie.
Romance at the Vineyard Features the Overused Story Formula with a Dose of Realism
Romance at the Vineyard is comfort food--it lacks originality, but it's still delightfully predictable.
The movie features two standard tropes:
A property is in danger of being lost and needs saved.
A romantic lead isn't honest about his true identity, which causes a rift.
Another familiar theme embedded in Romance at the Vineyard is the need for work-life balance. Both Allee and Ethan are consumed by their careers and must learn to carve out time for the things that are the most important to them.
There is a refreshing dab of realism to the story. In this age where female empowerment is often a focus in movies, Allee is a traditional damsel-in-distress while simultaneously being a strong businesswoman. It's an interesting blend that should satisfy both conservative and liberal viewers.
Second, the villain isn't redeemed. Ethan's boss, Catherine, is heartless, ruthless, and shallow, and she doesn't change. In most romcoms, the "bad guy" has a change of heart and is restored to the audience's good graces. Real life doesn't often work that way, so it's more believable that Catherine's wicked character is consistent from start to finish.
The last realistic element surrounds how the vineyard is saved. Merado isn't bought out, nor does the Balzarinis miraculously come into a financial windfall on their own. The solution is plausible and therefore more satisfying.
Image: Great American Media
Romcom fans have seen it all and covet creative and fresh movie plots, but you won't find anything unique about Romance at the Vineyard. The movie will still transport you to a happy place.
Casting of Romance at the Vineyard
Susie Abromeit and Tim Ross deliver quality performances, but the chemistry is barely there between the two. Each accidental touch, near kiss, or time they find themselves in each other's personal space should result in sparks, but it doesn't.
Candice Hill plays Ethan's boss, Catherine Hayes, and she's completely awful. She grossly exaggerates her villainous role with perptual over-acting. It's hard to watch her scenes.
Image: Great American Media
Romance at the Vineyard opens with Allee serving wine to a biracial couple. While there is absolutely nothing wrong with this, it raises a red flag. GAF viewers do not want the network to follow the same woke path as Hallmark by incorporating all the diversity, equity, and inclusion B.S. (racist concepts posing as anti-racism) by succumbing and conforming to cultural pressure.
Watch the Trailor for Romance at the Vineyard
Romance at the Vineyard focuses on faithfulness to the family unit and old-fashioned fun.
As other vineyards are snapped up by Wine Inc., which then offers an updated, party atmosphere for visitors, Merado remains true to its brand by providing an experience that is slower-paced, family-focused, and traditional (I love all the yard games!) It's really an allegory for our current cultural climate: no matter how society changes, we must cling to what is true and right.
You can watch the trailer for Romance at the Vineyard here:
Loved this movie! One of the best I have seen.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed this movie. It has it all...great scenery, script, and actors! Susie Abromeit and Tim Ross were wonderful together. I think the GAF viewers will love it!
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