Are you completely obsessed with wine? Madly gifted with the ability to remember every single vintage made in every nook and cranny of the world's most remote of vineyards? Ready to drive yourself and everyone in your life absolutely crazy with your lengthy quest for obtaining the rock star Master Sommelier's Diploma?
Apparently you are not alone For this is the subject of the most popular film trailer currently airing on iTunes.
Mark your calendar for June 21st and sit yourself down for a screening, either at a cinema in the area (to be announced) or on itunes of what looks to be an incredibly revealing and fascinating new film, shot over the period of two years, in six countries, following four would-be Master Sommeliers intent on joining the rarified ranks of less than 200 diploma holders, worldwide.
Petaluma resident and Chief operating officer of the Guild of Sommeliers, Geoff Kruth (of the Farmhouse Inn, Forestville), found himself in the role as advisor to the team behind the documentary movie, SOMM. Though mostly behind the scenes, Kruth, whose students were the four main characters filmed, is featured on camera on the subject of blind tasting - his area of expertise. In setting up interviews with sommeliers and wine producers in Europe, Kruth traveled with the film to shoot scenic b-roll in some of the world's most beautiful wine regions.
Jason Wise, a young, Los Angeles based film director was inspired to embark on this ambitious film project by one of the main characters, a friend of his who had been preparing for what is widely considered one of the most challenging exams in the world.
Mary Orlin of the Huffington Post writes: "SOMM tells the story of four master somm candidates, Brian, Ian, Dustin and D'Lynn. We see them studying with each other and also with mentors who are Master Sommeliers. You might think it would be fun to get together with friends and taste lots of wine every night, but it becomes a chore that the guys have to be up for. Having a camera around doesn't help. We see how little sleep they get and how relationships with their significant others come second to wine. As Ian put it in after the movie, "You have to become a little obsessed and if you're not, you're probably not going to pass."
In a film review from last year's Napa Valley Film Festival, Decanter.com reported: "Sommeliers are a misunderstood species, derided by winemakers and critics who do not share their sensibilities and heralded as ‘gatekeepers’ by those that do. In America, the ‘somm’ may be poised as the next celebrity du jour of the restaurant world—although one cannot imagine the sommelier’s lasting fame (or pride) will ever rival that of the chef’s—and SOMM could plunge headlong into that puffery. But it doesn’t: Wise lets the players’ ambitions (and failures) speak, and crafts a satisfying, personal story about cracked, flawed, interesting people who happen to sell wine in Italian cut suits, and minus the tastevin."
Meet the star sommeliers from SOMM (Sabato Sagaria and Ian Cauble) and test your own palate to match the wine sensory evaluation notes from winemakers and somms—at a screening party and open house to celebrate the first Cinema in the Vineyard event at The Madrones in Anderson Valley, on Sunday, June 2nd, 2013.
Located in the Anderson Valley, The Madrones is the vision of designer and lifestyle entrepreneur Jim Roberts. The Mediterranean compound serves as a community outpost for local artisans; home to four vintners (Bink Wines, Drew Family Cellars, Knez Winery, and Signal Ridge), a rural lifestyle shop, a wood fired Pizzeria (Stone & Embers) opening in July 2013, several estate guest quarters, a culinary kitchen garden for local produce, serene courtyards and carefully manicured English gardens. The Madrones are partnering with Mendocino Film Festival to screen the film during open house from 11.30 am to 4.30 pm. Mingle with the filmmakers during a post-screening party at the Madrones from 5.00pm.
Tickets will be $25 for the post-screening party or bundle it with the Open House for $40. Call 707-895-2955 for more info.
