“HARVEST”. The Blood, Sweat and Tears That Go Into Every Bottle Of Wine”, by John Beck

John Beck, auteur wunderkind of many a Wine Road Video, was so inspired by a night harvest shoot at Foppiano that he filmed for us, that his focus and muse went to the production of his newest feature-length documentary film, HARVEST, recently premiered at the 15th Annual Sonoma International Film Festival and executive produced by Wine Road Northern Sonoma County.  John’s aim:

My name is John Beck and as the director of “Harvest” I set out with one mission: To transport the viewer into the vineyards during the most chaotic time of year.

 

Feeling much like A-Lister types,  Beth and I and our entourage headed over to the Sebastiani Winery Barrel Room for the premiere screening of HARVEST.  The room was packed and viewers were attentive, receptive and appreciative.  Guest stars lit up the room from the ensemble cast; from women on the unusual All Female Picking Crew to Vineyard Managers, Winery Owners, Winemakers and Film Crew folks…of course, including John Beck.

HARVEST documents the ill-fated, incredibly difficult 2011 Harvest.  Among others, the film also touches on a number of Wine Road Wineries:

Harvest Moon and Randy Pitts

Foppiano Winery and Paul Foppiano (and/or Brian Wilson.)

A. Rafanelli Winery and Shelly Rafanelli-Fehlman & Dave Rafanelli

Balletto Winery and her Field of Dreams Baseball Diamond

The film chronicles just what happens in a number of interesting harvest venues, including centering on an All Female Picking Crew, daunting. amazing, unsettling stories of immigration to America from Mexico, discussion of fair wages, unfair wages, Grape Camp attendees, touching remembrances of harvests past, hopes for harvests future, differences in culture, marauding wild pigs, impromptu baseball games, loyalty, sacrifice and hope.  Lots of press,  and here is one of my favorite evocative, descriptive, well-written reviews.

 

 

Check out this film!

Here’s looking at you, kids.

TR