A Heavenly Vintage is the story of a young winemaker who rises to prominence through the unlikely guidance of a mysterious angel. His talents make him the object of desire of a beautiful baroness who tempts him to stray from his loving wife and children.

This is a movie for wine geeks. The director Nki Caro (Whale Rider) dwells on the minutiae of the vineyard, and draws on the history of winemaking and vineyard operations in 19th century.

Though overly romanticized at times, and with a disjointed storyline (this could have been a fine movie without the angel), there are some great moments and remarkable attention to detail in that in the wardrobe and production design.

Vera Farmiga is solid as the Baroness, but Jeremie Renier as the all-too-often angry lead can be hard to root for, but for all its wine geekiness, scenes in the French winegrowing countryside, and with a little wine in your glass, you’re in for a good evening watching a man attempt to create the perfect vintage. That in itself is worth it for a wine lover.

A paired my viewing with a rustic and leathery Summerhill Pyramid Winery Baco Noir from the 2009 vintage.

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