When Alexander Payne’s Sideways was released in 2004, it was a phenomenon that invigorated Santa Barbara and SLO counties’ wine regions and affected wine sales. In the film, Miles (Paul Giamatti) gushes about the wonders of pinot noir while bashing merlot, causing merlot sales to drop 2 percent while pinot noir shot up 16 percent.
This Saturday, Sept. 20, Paso Picture Show screens Sideways (R; 127 min.) at a special outdoor event at Bianchi Winery (3380 Branch Road, Paso Robles; doors at 5:30 p.m.; $22 to $35 at my805tix.com for lawn seating with upgrades available).
Mira Advani Honeycutt and Kirk Honeycutt, authors of Sideways Uncorked: The Perfect Pairing of Film & Wine, will offer a book signing and Q-and-A prior to the screening. Attendees are invited to “enjoy a glass (or two) of wine, claim your spot on the lawn, take in the golden-hour glow, and snap some photos at our photo booth or among the vines,” organizers announced. “The movie kicks off shortly after dusk—just in time to catch the sunset and let the stars roll in.”
Dress warmly. Every ticket includes a glass of wine and bag of G-Brothers Kettle Corn. Learn more at pasopictureshow.com. Δ
This article appears in Sept 18-28, 2025.
