Partnering with Warner Bros. Consumer Products & NBCUniversal Brand Development to Honor Classic Films Including JAWS, KING KONG & THE WIZARD OF OZ. Each Bottle to Feature Colorful Movie Poster Artwork by Laurent Durieux
GEYSERVILLE, Calif. (August 22, 2016) – Francis Ford Coppola Winery unveiled a new film-themed wine label entitled Director’s Great Movies. An extension of the winery’s wildly popular Director’s Collection, the new label will pay tribute to movies and directors that Coppola himself greatly admires. The collection launched today with three limited edition varietals including JAWS, a 2015 Chardonnay, inspired by the 1975 Universal Pictures summer blockbuster; KING KONG, a 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon, inspired by the classic 1933 film; and THE WIZARD OF OZ, a 2014 Merlot, inspired by the treasured classic film. All three bottles feature colorful movie poster labels designed specifically for the collection by retro-futuristic French artist Laurent Durieux.
Winemaking and filmmaking are two vital California industries that hold great meaning to Francis and his family. This collection represents iconic and culturally significant films from the past several decades.
“I originally met artist Laurent Durieux when he approached me about a Godfather movie poster he had created. His posters are not in association with the movies’ advertising campaigns, but are his creative interpretations of the films. I immediately saw the passion in his artwork and thought his posters would transform into great wine labels for my Director’s wines, giving the brand a more vibrant and recognizable movie tie-in,” says Francis Coppola. “I’ve chosen several movies that I think are exceptional. I’m presenting them almost as a recommendation, with the wine being a collector’s item.”
In partnership with Warner Bros. Consumer Products and NBCUniversal Brand Development, the Francis Ford Coppola Winery Director’s Great Movies wine collection will consist of the following wines:
- JAWS – A 2015 Chardonnay featuring flavors of ripe tropical pineapple, aromatic Meyer lemon, a warm toasted oak finish, distinctive floral oak spice and classic Chardonnay minerality. JAWS is a dual appellation of 65% Sonoma County and 35% Monterey County. SRP $21
- KING KONG – A 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon with serious blackberry flavor and forward tannin structure with warm cedar spice in the aroma and inviting flavors of foraged wild berries and toasted marshmallow. There’s a creamy toffee on the palate including black hibiscus tea. KING KONG is a dual appellation of 73% Sonoma County and 27% San Luis County. SRP $24
- THE WIZARD OF OZ – A 2014 vintage Merlot with forward black plum and dark tobacco, dark chocolate covered açaí berry and exotic oak spices. Juicy ripe plum and blackberry are noticeable on the palate of this dual appellation varietal from 68% Sonoma County and 32% Monterey County. SRP $24
About JAWS
Directed by Academy Award® winner Steven Spielberg, Jaws set the standard for edge-of-your-seat suspense, quickly becoming a cultural phenomenon and forever changing the movie industry. When the seaside community of Amity finds itself under attack by a dangerous great white shark, the town’s chief of police, a young marine biologist and a grizzled shark hunter embark on a desperate quest to destroy the beast before it strikes again. Featuring an unforgettable score that evokes pure terror, Jaws remains one of the most influential and gripping adventures in motion picture history.
About KING KONG
King Kong premiered in 1933 and was directed by Merian C. Cooper and Ernest B. Schoedsack. The film catapulted the “Eighth Wonder of the World” to became one of the most famous movie icons of all time. Kong set the public’s imagination ablaze and inspired future filmmakers to test the boundaries of what was possible. King Kong has inspired countless remakes, sequels, theme park rides and even a stage play. The film is ranked #43 on AFI’s “100 Greatest American Movies of All Time.”
About WIZARD OF OZ
Adapted from L. Frank Baum’s timeless children’s tale about a Kansas girl’s journey over the rainbow, The Wizard of Oz opened at Grauman’s Chinese Theater on August 15, 1939. The film was directed by Victor Fleming produced by Mervyn LeRoy, and scored by Herbert Stothart, with music and lyrics by Harold Arlen and E.Y. Harburg. DOROTHY™ was portrayed by a 4’11” sixteen-year-old girl who quickly earned her reputation as “the world’s greatest entertainer”—the incomparable Judy Garland. Ray Bolger appeared as the SCARECROW™; Bert Lahr as the COWARDLY LION™, Jack Haley as the TIN MAN™. Frank Morgan was seen in six different roles, including that of the wonderful “Wizard of Oz” himself.
The Wizard of Oz received five Academy Award® nominations , including Best Picture (Outstanding Production), and captured two Oscars®—Best Song (“Over the Rainbow”) and Best Original Score — plus a special award for Outstanding Juvenile Performance by Judy Garland. The film was an overwhelmingly popular and critical success upon its initial release and repeated its ability to captivate audiences when M-G-M reissued the film in 1949 and 1955. The film made a new kind of history with its network television premiere in 1956 on CBS. Nearly 45 million people tuned in for this initial telecast, marking the beginning of an annual tradition. Ever since, The Wizard of Oz has been shown virtually annually on network (and then cable) television; its magical story and heartfelt performances have enabled it to grow from a perennial classic to its current status as a treasured icon of popular culture.
About Francis Ford Coppola Winery
Francis puts it best, saying the winery is “a wine wonderland, a park of pleasure where people of all ages can enjoy all the best things in life: food, wine, music, dancing, games, swimming and performances of all types. A place to celebrate the love of life.” Francis Ford Coppola Winery is located at 300 Via Archimedes in Geyserville, California, accessed from US HWY 101 and the Independence Lane exit. Among the many unique attractions at the property, Francis Ford Coppola Winery features a wine tasting bar, two restaurants, swimming pools, a movie gallery, a performing arts pavilion and a park area with game tables and bocce courts. Francis Ford Coppola Winery opens at 11 a.m. daily. For more information, call (707) 857-1400 or visit www.FrancisFordCoppolaWinery.com.
About Warner Bros. Consumer Products
Warner Bros. Consumer Products, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company, is one of the leading licensing and retail merchandising organizations in the world.
About NBCUniversal Brand Development
NBCUniversal Brand Development (NBCUBD) drives expansion of the company’s intellectual properties, franchises, characters and stories through innovative physical and digital products, kids and family content, and consumer experiences globally. Along with franchise brand management, NBCUBD includes three lines of business: NBCUniversal Consumer Products, Universal Kids & Family Productions, and NBCUniversal Games and Digital Products. NBCUniversal Brand Development is a business segment of Universal Filmed Entertainment Group, and part of NBCUniversal, a subsidiary of Comcast Corporation.
JAWS is a trademark and copyright of Universal Studios. Licensed by Universal Studios Licensing LLC. All Rights Reserved.
KING KONG and all related characters and elements © RKO Pictures, Inc. (s16)
THE WIZARD OF OZ and all related characters and elements © & ™ Turner Entertainment Co. (s16)
