Bottle Shock

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Bottle Shock

PG-13

Released Aug 6, 2008

1h 50m

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

48%

Tomatometer

122 Reviews

58%

Popcornmeter

10,000+ Ratings

Paris-based wine expert Steven Spurrier heads to California in search of cheap wine that he can use for a blind taste test in the French capital. Stumbling upon the Napa Valley, the stuck-up Englishman is shocked to discover a winery turning out top-notch chardonnay. Determined to make a name for himself, he sets about getting the booze back to Paris.

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Critics Consensus

Bottle Shock fails to properly utilize the inspiring true tale at its core, settling instead for an ordinary, plodding account.

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Hank Sartin

Time Out

Rated: 3/5

Nov 18, 2011

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David Stratton

The Australian

As a rather strenuous attempt at a feel-good movie, Bottle Shock falls a long way short of the mark.

Rated: 2.5/5

Apr 10, 2009

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Paul Byrnes

Sydney Morning Herald

It's not in the same league as Sideways but it has a fragrant sense of the beauty of wine and winemaking, not just the drinking.

Rated: 3.5/5

Apr 3, 2009

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Felicia Feaster

Charleston City Paper

[A]necdotally interesting, but artistically underwhelming.

Jan 27, 2020

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Debbie Lynn Elias

Behind The Lens

[K]ick back and relax and take a sip of BOTTLE SHOCK. It will linger on your palette long after the curtain falls.

Nov 7, 2019

Full Review

Nikki Baughan

Roll Credits

[A] film that acknowledges the passion, dedication and commitment of those owner/growers who keep our wine cellars, cupboards and fridges stocked and, to that end, it's worth a tipple.

Rated: 4/5

Oct 31, 2019

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Kevin P

A warm, cozy, cute slice of life film about California wine making and its first step into international notoriety with the 1976 French Blind Taste Test. The plot and characters are thin and a bit cliche. But there's enough charm with all the pretty scenery of California’s sunny wine orchards scored to catchy 70s music. Alan Rickman is fun to watch, but I wish he was in it more. He's the main drawing on all the posters, but he feels more like a side character. Chris Pine is decent, but his fake long hair is distracting. Bill Pullman is solid, but a bit whiny. California cosplaying as Texans was a bit hokey. There's also a lame scene where Chris line's character is offended that the intern girl slept with the other guy instead of him even though they barely even flirted. But luckily all of those gripes are pretty mild and don't dampen the film too much. I just wish the film had a meatier script and Chris Pine had a better wig, cause the film nails the cozy California Vineyard vibe and still put me in a good mood despite its missed potential.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

05/19/25

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Audience Member

I'm shocked by these reviews and shocked that this is one of my favorite movies of all time. I must be dilerious or love wine too much. So we have the French to blame for charging us for wine tastings? Loved the line "Woodstock was 7 years ago" time to grow up. Never spoken about the difficulties parents faced in the 60s. If the TWA scene was real, emotional moment. Also, did not know Chardonnay put Napa on the wine map.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

05/10/25

Full Review

Bronwyn D

Good movie based on the true story. Great actors & characters. (I miss Alan Rickman!) Only distraction for me was Bo's hair. Was ugly for such a handsome man. Not many can pull off that long messy hair, & he was no exception. I kept hoping he'd cut it during movie, haha. The 'love triangle' was unnecessary I thought too. I recommend watching this good story overall though!

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

11/14/24

Full Review

Michele B

We love this movie! Must have seen it 10x.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

09/06/24

Full Review

Cali C

Great actors, great story, truly underrated. One of Alan Rickman’s best roles.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/18/24

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Audience Member

Who is rating this?? We love this movie. The era, the music, the historical truth.. c’mon people!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/09/24

Full Review

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Randall Miller

Director

Alan Rickman

Steven Spurrier

Chris Pine

Bo Barrett

Bill Pullman

Jim Barrett

Rachael Taylor

Sam

Freddy Rodríguez

Gustavo

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Bottle Shock: Trailer 1

2:23

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Synopsis

Paris-based wine expert Steven Spurrier heads to California in search of cheap wine that he can use for a blind taste test in the French capital. Stumbling upon the Napa Valley, the stuck-up Englishman is shocked to discover a winery turning out top-notch chardonnay. Determined to make a name for himself, he sets about getting the booze back to Paris.

Director: Randall Miller
Producer: J. Todd Harris, Brenda Lhormer, Marc Toberoff, Randall Miller, Jody Savin, Marc Lhormer
Screenwriter: Jody Savin, Randall Miller, Ross Schwartz
Distributor: Freestyle Releasing
Production Co: Zin Haze Productions, Unclaimed Freight, Intellectual Properties Worldwide (I), Shocking Bottle
Rating: PG-13 (Brief Strong Language|A Scene of Drug Use|Some Sexual Content)
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Aug 6, 2008, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Nov 29, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $4.0M
Runtime: 1h 50m

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