My “Sideways” Moment

By Michele Francisco, OWP Editor Like it or not, “Sideways” wildly increased the popularity of Pinot Noir. Nearly 22 years later, Oregon’s most-planted variety continues riding the swell generated by the movie. I was living in Santa Barbara when it debuted at the Riviera Theatre, the town’s “artsy” movie house that screened alternative– and, often, low-budget– productions. While I adored the film, I think it was because I recognized all the locations. I didn’t drink much wine back then. “Sideways” stayed with me as my passion for wine grew over time. Beginning in the eastern, warmer stretches of Santa Barbara County’s Santa Ynez Valley, I started exploring the region’s wines. As my palate developed, I began drinking Pinot Noir from the cooler western Sta. Rita Hills, a designated growing region with distinct maritime breezes and lingering fog. One of the film’s main characters, Miles Raymond, played by

by Hilary Berg · source ↗