Hollywood has discovered Calistoga in a big way. This summer movie audiences saw “Bottle Shock,” starring Bill Pullman, Alan Rickman and Chris Pine, director Randall Miller’s take on Chateau Montelena’s historic win at the 1976 Paris tasting which put Napa Valley on the map. “Bottle Shock” filmed at the winery and briefly in downtown Calistoga as well as in Sonoma County last year. (If you missed it in theatres, watch for the DVD; it’s a very engaging David & Goliath story, and Rickman is as droll as ever as wine snob Steven Spurrier.) Staying longer and creating an even bigger buzz was Disney’s “Bedtime Stories,” starring Adam Sandler, directed by Adam Shankman (“Hairspray”), in which Dario Sattui’s impressive Castello di Amorosa plays a key role. The huge crew and cast of “Bedtime Stories” basically took over town for several weeks in June and, happily, pumped about $3 million into our local economy.
In a surreal twist, this October, we’re hosting the Japanese version of “Sideways” (really; I couldn’t make it up), now called “Terroir,” complete with Japanese actors in the leading roles, including Rinko Kikuchi, who was nominated for Best Supporting Actress for “Babel.” According to director Cellin Gluck, the story so heavily identified with the San Luis Obispo area wine country has been transposed to Napa Valley since it’s a better known wine region in Japan. And for one more film/TV connection, our own Calistoga Roastery has achieved the lofty status of featured product placement in the hit HBO show “Weeds,” which makes owner Clive Richardson quite proud, since he thinks “it’s the best show on TV.”
This summer, many of us have been a little starstruck around town (while still maintaining our Calistoga cool, of course) with the “Bottle Shock” premiere at Chateau Montelena (a pretty magical evening, seeing the Chateau on the big screen while sitting twenty feet from the real thing) and many Roastery regulars had close encounters with an utterly friendly and relaxed Adam Sandler, his family and bulldog in tow, strolling around town from their home base at the Mount View. It’s always refreshing when stars who command that kind of money welcome contact with fans (and as someone who worked for ten years in film production, I can tell you that it’s pretty rare). On their days off, crew members have cruised into the Chamber to get tips on spa treatments, wine tasting and restaurants. There are multiple benefits from all these cinematic adventures: while “Bedtime Stories” was filming, the LA crew filled 5 hotels to capacity, hired locals as crew and as extras (it’s not staggering pay, but great experience, and it’s a glimpse behind the curtain of filmmaking – plus lunch.) There’s a very real trickle-down effect for local businesses while out-of-town crew members are stationed here for several weeks, but the lasting effects will be felt when the movies come out, like “Bedtime Stories” on Christmas Day - and spur viewers to come see the Castle, and with it, Calistoga – for themselves. And in this economy, that will be a welcome thing.
Hi,
Great job. But not enought info. Where can i read more?
Thanks
Pett