Bottle Shock Movie Screening

Bottle Shock is a spirited, wine-soaked underdog story set in 1970s Napa Valley, where long-haired dreamers and stubborn visionaries dare to believe their scrappy California wines can stand toe-to-toe with the mighty French. When ambitious British wine merchant Steven Spurrier decides to host a blind tasting in Paris, the unpolished but passionate team at Chateau Montelena—led by fiery father-and-son duo Jim and Bo Barrett—find themselves swept into a competition that could change everything.

What follows is a sun-drenched clash of old-world prestige and new-world grit, complete with culture shock, crushed grapes, family tension, and plenty of Chardonnay-fueled drama. At its heart, Bottle Shock is about taking risks, trusting your palate, and proving that greatness can come from unexpected places—especially when you’re bold enough to uncork it.

The Judgment of Paris was the pivotal moment that shattered the long-held belief that only France could produce world-class wine, placing Napa Valley squarely on the global map. Organized by Steven Spurrier on May 24, 1976, this blind tasting pitted top-tier Bordeaux and Burgundy wines against ambitious, relatively unknown contenders from California. The panel, composed entirely of French judges, unknowingly awarded top honors to a 1973 Chateau Montelena Chardonnay and a 1973 Stag's Leap Wine Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon. This unexpected triumph sent shockwaves through the wine world, proving that terroir outside of Europe could yield wines of exceptional quality, complexity, and longevity.

For Napa Valley, the impact was transformative, shifting the region from a quiet agricultural community to a premier global wine destination. Before 1976, California wines were often dismissed, but the Judgment validated the dedication of Napa’s vintners and the unique potential of its soils. Now, as we approach the golden jubilee of this historic event, the excitement is palpable. The CIA at Copia is thrilled to spearhead the 50th-anniversary celebrations with a spectacular week of events honoring the connection between French tradition and California innovation.

The week-long festivities at the CIA at Copia will bring the spirit of 1976 to life through a multitude of must-attend offerings including:

• Immersive French-inspired culinary classes such as specially curated Californian vs. French cuisine and our always-sold-out “Inside Julia’s Kitchen”
  Learn more and purchase tickets here:
  Mon. May 11 and Thurs. May 14 - 9:00 am - 2:00 pm
  Tues. May 12 and Fri. May 15 - 9:00 am - 2:00 pm
  Bistro Cusine Culinary Class
  Tues. May 12 9:00 am - 2:00 pm
  Farm to Table Culinary Class
  Thurs. May 14 and Fri. May 15 - 9:00 am - 2:00 pm
  
• Marché aux Puces (French flea market)
  
• Showing of Master Sommelier Andrea Immer Robinson’s Judgment of Paris "The Swirled Cup" documentary and panel discussion with winemakers including some of the wines from the film
  Learn more and purchase tickets here:
  The Swirled Cup Documentary, Wine Tasting and Panel Discussion
  
• Grand Tasting featuring over fifty wineries from across both Napa’s seventeen AVAs and throughout California, including Judgment of Paris’ winners, Chateau Montelena and Stag’s Leap, along with Freemark Abbey, Domaine Carneros, Taittinger, St. Supery and many, many, more.
  Learn more and purchase tickets here:
  Judgement of Paris Grand Tasting

This week is not just a look back at a historic win; it is a toast to the enduring excellence and collaborative spirit that defines our Valley today.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

The CIA at Copia (The Culinary Institute of America), 500 1st Street, Napa, United States

Concerts, fests, parties, meetups - all the happenings, one place.

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