A-List Wine and Movie Pairings

Ready to make some wine and movie pairing magic?

"Wine, movies and cars have always been a passion around our house," says Far Niente Family of Wineries & Vineyards President Director of Sales Bruce Mooers. "Whether it is a romp through the hills of San Francisco with Steve McQueen in Bullitt or a ride through Chicago in a Ferrari with Ferris Buellers’ Day Off, you gotta love the car movie classics and you have to be ready with a corkscrew.”

We asked three of our most film-loving team members to share their favorite movie and wine pairings, along with the cinema-ready wine and movie snack combos. From an Oscar-nominated drama made even more thrilling when paired with dueling wines to the perfect Napa Cabernet foil for romantic comedies, their responses had us dusting our popcorn in truffle salt, lining up our favorite Napa Valley Cabernets and Russian River Pinots and updating the films in our Netflix queue.

Ford v Ferrari + 2018 Nickel & Nickel Sullenger Vineyard v 2018 EnRoute Pinot Noir “Les Pommiers”

Bruce Mooers, Far Niente Family of Wineries & Vineyards President Director of Sales

“When I think about what to eat and drink with a movie like Ford vs Ferrari, I am going pedal to the metal. I start with EnRoute “Les Pommiers,” which has the elegance, brooding concentration, and ride of a classic Ferrari. Pour it alongside two to three mild cheeses and smoked salmon, and you have a formula that will take you to the winners’ circle. When I shift to second gear, I pull out the Nickel & Nickel Sullenger Vineyard Cabernet. Like the Ford GT, this single-vineyard Cabernet has raw power, force of will, and a chewy edge that keeps you on your best behavior. Paired with a great New York steak and grilled vegetables, you are coming across the finish line first!”

Midnight in Paris + 2017 Bella Union Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley

Brooke Bobyak, Bella Union Winemaker

Romance, fantasy, comedy and artistic filmmaking all intersect in Midnight in Paris, which all seem like the perfect pairings for a Cabernet that’s approachable, yet loaded with dark fruit and velvet tannins that are borderline hedonistic. A cheeseboard piled with Cabernet-friendly cheeses like Murcia Al Vino, Manchego and Comté will make for a happy ending for the movie watchers … even if we can’t guarantee one for Gil and Inez.

The Princess Bride + Far Niente Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley (minus the Iocane powder)

Nicole Marchesi, Far Niente Winemaker

Red wine and swashbuckling just seem to go together. I might even serve it in some old-style pewter goblets while we passed around a tray of the Smitten Kitchen’s scallion and turkey meatballs. Far Niente Napa Valley Cabernet possesses layers of savory notes that pair really well with the appetizer’s salty-sweet soy and ginger glaze. Bonus: The meatball toothpicks can be wielded when quoting, “Hello, my name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my father. Prepare to die.”

The best wine and movie pairings surprise and delight, and have a magic that lingers long after the credits roll … or the bottle empties. Shop your favorite wines and make your own wine and movie magic.

Pro tip: We’ve found truffled popcorn and late harvest Dolce Napa Valley go with just about every genre.