Night of Comedy - November 8th, 2013

Everyone had such a great time during the last Comedy Night we hosted, we decided to do it again!  Come join us, along with comedians Brad Stewart & Darrin Meyer, 

for a night full of laughs and wine on November 8th, 2013 at 7:30 p.m.

Tickets $20 - Call winery to make reservations 402-783-5255. 

COMEDIAN BRAD STEWART

Brad Stewart has performed at many different clubs and theaters all over the country to rave reviews. From The Nokia Theater in Los Angeles, to the Hilton Casino in Atlantic City, Brad has entertained many diverse audiences with his high energy, observational style of humor.

In early 2010, Brad had the honor of becoming a favorite opening act for comedy legend Joan Rivers. Joan says Brad is "so talented and a joy to work with.” Brad has also opened for The Temptations, Jon Lovitz, Keith Sweat, The O'Jays, and 80's rocker band Loverboy.

Brad's comedy is a mix of his observations about life, and his love/hate relationship with pop culture. A lot of his comedy comes from his frustrations with the state of popular music, which should be relatable to anyone with ears. With a likable personality, everyone enjoys his show.

COMEDIAN DARRIN MEYER

Ever wondered what seeing every corner of the country and hitting every backwater town the tourist guides warn you about would do to a person’s mind? Thought about how driving ten hours a day and staying in motel rooms that even Norman Bates won’t go near warps a man’s thinking? Darrin Meyer brings these experiences to the stage in a show the Duluth News-Tribune calls “ straight-up, gimmick-free act that focuses on jokes from the rude and crude to current affairs.”

For the past twelve years, Darrin has performed in some of the finest comedy clubs, colleges, bowling alleys, Chinese restaurants, strip joints, and prisons in over forty states, where he developed his manic takes on relationships, sports, families, life on the road, and whatever happens to be driving him nuts on any given day. If not for comedy, he might be looking for the nearest clock tower somewhere.

Darrin has appeared in many nationally-known comedy clubs, including the Improv, the Rivercenter in San Antonio, Juniors in Erie PA, The Comic Strip in El Paso, Harvey’s in Portland, Myrtle Beach’s Comedy Cabana, the Reno Hilton, Wits End in Denver, and several Funny Bones across the US.

Darrin has opened for a diverse variety of acts, such as Bobcat Goldthwait, Pauly Shore, Jim Breuer, Jeff Dunham, Dave Coulier, Michael Winslow and Weird Al Yankovic, as well as the bands Lonestar and Firehouse. He appeared in the movie “Election” with Matthew Broderick and Reese Witherspoon, and shot a scene for the 2011 release “Lucky” with Colin Hanks, Jeffrey Tambor and Ann-Margaret, which sadly ended up on the cutting room floor.

“Darrin Meyer got big laughs… put the crowd in stitches” says the Lincoln (NE) Journal-Star. Don’t miss this hilarious, fast-talking comedian, coming to your town soon.

 

"A Walk In The Clouds"

Come join us for another Wine & Movie Night Under the Stars on July 26th at 9:30pm.  Tickets are only $12.50 and include wine, food, and the movie!

Reservations required and will sell out quickly!  Make your reservations today by calling the winery at 402-783-5255.

 A 1995 American romantic drama film directed by Alfonso Arau and stars Keanu Reeves, Aitana Sanchez-Gijon, Giancarlo Giannini, and Anthony Quinn.  It was written by Robert Mark Kamen, Makr Miller, and Harvey Weitzman.  This movie is a remake of the 1942 Italian film "Four Steps in the Clouds," by Piero Tellini, Cesare Zavattini, and Vittorio de Benedetti.

In 1945, United States Army Sgt., Paul Sutton, returns to San Francisco to reunite with his wife Betty, whom he married - following a whirlwind courtship - the day before he departed for the Pacific.  The war has left him with emotional scars, and he experiences flashbacks on a regular basis.

Paul's reunion with Betty is strained, especially after he discovers most of the letters he wrote her were set aside unopened.  He is determined to make a go of the marriage however, and hopes to establish a new career for himself.  Betty insists he continue to sell chocolates door-to-door, and he sets off to Sacramento.  En route, he meets fellow train passenger, Victoria Aragon, a Stanford University graduate student whose Mexican-American family owns a vineyard in the Nappa Valley.  When he learns the unmarried woman is pregnant by her professor, Paul offers to introduce himself to her very traditionalist family as her husband.

Victoria's father, Alberto, is infuriated that not only she married a man below her social standing, but without his permission as well.  Paul's initial plan to quietly slip away and continue on his journey, leaving Victoria's family to believe he abandoned her, is derailed when her grandfather, Don Pedro, encourages him to stay and help with the harvest.  During the harvest, Paul (an orphan) grows closer to the family and learns the joys that come with their tradition, roots, and way of life.  Paul and Victoria try to ignore their growing attraction and feelings for each other, but with little success.  However Paul's honor prompts him to attempt to salvage his marriage and return home, but when he does, he discovers his wife is involved with another man.  She has applied for an annulment, to which he happily agrees, and he returns to the Aragon estate to ask Victoria to marry him.

When Paul returns, an argument with an angry and drunk Alberto leads to a disastrous fire which destroys the vineyard.  However, Paul remembers one plant that may still have it's roots intact and races off to retrieve them and bring them back to the family.  The disaster (as well as Paul's bravery and dedication during the fire) has brought Alberto to realize his errors, so when Paul returns with the plant, Alberto accepts him, telling Paul that this is "his family" and "his roots."  The family sets out to replant and rebuild with the help of their newest member.

"French Kiss"

Come join us for another Wine & Movie Night Under the Stars on September 27th, at 9:30pm.  Tickets are only $12.50 and include wine, food, and the movie!

Reservations required and will sell out quickly!  Make your reservations today by calling the winery at 402-783-5255.

French Kiss is a 1995 American romantic comedy film directed by Lawrence Kasdan and starring Meg Ryan and Kevin Kline. Written by Adam Brooks, the film is about a woman who flies to France to confront her straying fiancé and gets into trouble when the charming crook seated next to her uses her to smuggle a stolen diamond necklace. French Kiss was filmed on location in France.

Kate (Meg Ryan) is a fastidious and wholesome history teacher living in Canada with her fiancé, Charlie (Timothy Hutton), who is a doctor. While waiting for her Canadian citizenship to come through, Kate has been busy planning their wedding and the purchase of their first house, complete with a white picket fence. Charlie urges Kate to accompany him to Paris for an upcoming business trip, but she declines due to her fear of flying and her general intolerance for cheeses, secondhand smoke, and the French.

Kate's plans for the future are interrupted by a drunken phone call from Charlie who informs her that he has fallen in love with a beautiful French "goddess" named Juliette (Susan Anbeh) and that he will not be returning. Determined to win him back, Kate boards a flight to Paris, despite her fear of flying, and is seated next to a crude Frenchman, Luc Teyssier (Kevin Kline), whose every word during the seven-hour flight seems to annoy her. Luc is a petty thief who is smuggling a vine cutting and a stolen diamond necklace into France hoping to use both to start his own vineyard. Despite the uncomfortable and sarcastic banter throughout the flight, Kate, with the help of a few drinks, is able to tolerate her "rude" and "hygiene deficient" seating partner long enough to arrive safely in Paris. Before deboarding, however, Luc sneaks the vine and necklace into Kate's bag, knowing she would not be searched at customs, and then offers Kate a ride into Paris.

At the terminal, Luc is spotted by Inspector Jean-Paul Cardon (Jean Reno) who insists on giving Luc a ride during which he searches his bag. The inspector feels protective of Luc who once saved his life. Meanwhile, Kate makes it on her own to the Hôtel George V where she encounters new levels of French sarcasm and rudeness from the concierge. While waiting in the lobby to confront Charlie, she meets a petty thief named Bob. When she finally sees Charlie and Juliette kissing in an elevator, Kate faints, and Bob steals her bag. Luc arrives, steals a car, and together they track down Bob and the missing bag.

Upset at having lost all her money and her passport, Kate argues with Luc and they go their separate ways. Kate soon learns that Charlie and Juliette are headed south to Cannes to meet her parents before the wedding. Meanwhile, after realizing the necklace is still in Kate's bag, Luc tracks her down, offers to help her "win back Charlie", and together they board a train to Cannes. Along the way, Luc attempts to search her bag but is unsuccessful. After the lactose intolerant Kate samples some of the 452 official government cheeses of France, she becomes sick and they get off the train at Luc's hometown of La Ravelle in Paulhaguet. They stay at Luc's family home, surrounded by a beautiful vineyard where Kate learns about Luc's past and how he gambled away his vineyard birthright to his brother in a single hand of poker. Kate also learns that Luc knows a lot about wines. Gradually the two grow closer, and after Luc searches the bag and comes up empty, he agrees that he will help Kate.

At Cannes, the inspector approaches Kate and urges her to convince Luc to return the stolen necklace anonymously to avoid jail. Luc, who is planning to sell the necklace at Cartier, agrees to Kate's plan to have her sell the necklace. Meanwhile, Luc is busy instructing Kate on how to win back her lost fiancé. To make Charlie jealous, Luc pretends to be Kate's lover when they meet Charlie and Juliette on the beach, and the deception works. At dinner, Charlie apologizes to Kate and later tries to seduce her in her room, but she rejects his advances, realizing she no longer wants him—she is in love with Luc. Meanwhile, in an effort to "ensure victory" for Kate, Luc attempts to seduce Juliette, but she walks out after he calls her "Kate" by mistake.

The following morning at Cartier, Kate returns the stolen necklace to the inspector and purchases a Cartier check for $45,782 with her own savings to create the illusion that she actually sold the necklace. After giving the check to Luc, Kate leaves for the airport pretending to meet Charlie. Soonafter, the inspector approaches Luc and reveals the charade and all that Kate has done for him. When he realizes that Kate will not be returning to Charlie, Luc rushes to the airport, boards the airplane, and confesses that he's in love with her and wants her to stay with him. Sometime later, Luc and Kate embrace each other in their beautiful new vineyard.

"Remember The Titans"

Come join us for another Wine & Movie Night Under the Stars on August 30th at 9:30pm.  Tickets are only $12.50 and include wine, food, and the movie!

Reservations required and will sell out quickly!  Make your reservations today by calling the winery at 402-783-5255.

This is a 2000 American sports film produced by Jerry Bruckheimer, and directed by Boaz Yakin.  The plot was conceived from a screenplay written by Gregory Allen Howard.  The film is based on the true story of African American coach, Herman Boone -portrayed by Denzel Washington, as he tries to integrate a racially divided team at the T.C. Williams High School in Alexandria, Virginia during the early 1970's.  Actor Will Patton portrays Bill Yoast, an assistant coach  making a transition to help out Boone.  The real life portrayal of athletes Gerry Bertier and Julius Campbell played by Ryan Hurst and Wood Harris, appear within the harmonized storyline; while Kip Pardue and Kate Bosworth also star in principal roles.

In 1971, at the desegregated T.C. Williams High School, a black head coach, Herman Boone (Washington) is hired to lead the school's football team.  Boone takes over from the current coach, Bill Yoast (Patton), nominated for the Virginia High School Hall of Fame.  As a show of respect, Boone offers an assistant coordinator coaching position to Yoast.  Yoast at first refused Boone's offer, but reconsiders after the white players pledge to boycott the team if he does not participate.  Dismayed at the prospect of the students losing their chances at scholarships, Yoast changes his mind and takes up the position of defensive coordinator.

Black and white football team members frequently clash in racially motivated conflicts at their football camp, including some between captain Gerry Bertier (Hurst) and Julius Campbell (Harris).  But after forceful coaxing and rigorous athletic training by Boone, the team achieves racial harmony and success.  After returning from football camp, Boone is told by a member of the school board that if he loses even a single game, he will be fired.  Subsequently, the Titans go through the season undefeated while battling racial prejudice, before slowly gaining support from the community.

Just before the state semi-finals, Yoast is told by a member of the school board that he will be inducted into the Hall of Fame after the Titans lose one game, implying he wants Boone to be fired over his race.  During the game, it becomes apparent that the referees are biased against the Titans.  Yoast warns the head official that he will go to the press and expose the scandal unless it is refereed fairly.  The Titans win, but Yoast is told that his actions have resulted in his loss of candidacy for induction.

While celebrating the victory, Bertier is in an automobile accident, after driving through an intersection.  Although Bertier could not play due to injury, the team goes on to wine the championship.  Ten years later Berier dies in a second car accident and team coaches and athletes reunite to attend his funeral.


Remember the Titans premiered in theaters nationwide in the United States on September 29th, 2000, grossing $115,654,751 in domestic ticket receipts.  It earned an additional $21,051,932 in business through international release to top out at a combined $136,706,683 in gross revenue.  The film was considered a financial success due to its $30 million budget costs.  Preceding its theatrical run, the film was generally met with mixed critical reviews before its initial screening in cinemas.

Movie Title Relase for JAV's, June 7th, Movie Night Under the Stars

Bottle Shock - Tickets $12.50 Includes 1st Glass of Wine & Snack

Brought together by a curious twist of fate on a dusty California road, a wandering vintner and a struggling winemaker find both their lives, and their careers, forever transformed at a blind Parisian wine tasting that introduced the world to the extraordinary wines of Napa Valley.

The year was 1976, and Napa Valley has yet to gain the reputation as one of the world's best-known wine regions.  Jim Barrett (Bill Pullman) has sacrificed everything in life to realize his dream of crating the perfect Chateau Montelena.  Yet, despite the fact that Jim's Napa Valley vineyard has great potential, his son, Bo (Chris Pine), doesn't seem to have much interest in the family business.  Most days, Jim and Bo can be found trading blows in their backyard boxing ring -- their attempts to knock a bit of sense into one another usually amounting to naught.

Meanwhile, in Paris, British expatriate Steven Spurrier (Alan Rickman) finds necessity dictating that he educate Parisians on the latest wines to come out of California.  Steven owns the Academie du Vine, and is eager to travel to the United States in order to ensure that he has conducted his research properly.  Little did Steven and Jim realize that they were both on course for a chance meeting that would revolutionize the wine industry while opening up a whole new world of possibilities for wine lovers everywhere.

Review by movie critic, Roger Ebert, of the Chicago Sun

In 1976, the year of the American bicentennial, the tall ships sailed from Europe to America and back again.  But a smaller event was, in it's way, no less impressive.  In a blind taste-testing held in France, the wines of California's Napa Valley defeated the best the French had to offer - and all the judges were French!  A bottle of the winning American vintage, it is said, now rests on exhibit in the Smithsonian Institution.

"Bottle Shock," is a charming, fictionalized version of the victory, "based," as they love to say, "on a true story."  Shot in California like "Sideways," but set much closer to the earth, it tells the story of a struggling vineyard named Chateau Montelena, deeply in debt with three bank loans.  It's run by the hard-driving Jim Barrett (Bill Pullman), who despairs of his layabout, long-haired son Bo (Chris Pine).

Meanwhile, in Paris, we meet a British wine lover named Steven Spurrier (Alan Rickman), whose tiny wine shop is grandly named "The Academy of Wine."  We never see a single customer in the shop, only the constant visit of a neighboring travel agent, Maurice (Dennis Farina, in full Chicago accent).  Maurice encourages Steven by praising his wines, which he samples freely while passing out business advice.

Spurrier, (yes, a real man) has been hearing about the wines of California and has an inspiration:  His grand-sounding "academy" will sponsor a blind taste-test between the wines of the two countries.  That he is able to gather a panel of expert judges says much for the confidence of the French, who should have realized it was a dangerous proposition.

In Napa, we meet two other major players:  A pretty, summer intern named Sam (Rachael Taylor), and an employee o0f Jim's named Gustavo Brambilia - yes, another real character, played by Freddy Rodriguez.  Gustavo has wine his bones, if such a thing is possible, and would go on to found a famous vineyard.  The two boys raise cash by Gustavo's (partially true) ability to identify any wine and vintage by tasting it, and of course, they both fall in love with Sam, who lives for the summer in a shack out of The Grapes of Wrath.

The outcome is predictable; anyone who cares even casually knows the Yanks won, but director milks great entertainment, if not actual suspense, out of the competition.  Much of it's effect is due to the precise, quietly comic performance by Alan Rickman's Spurrier.  "Why do I hate you?" asks Jim Barrett, who resists the competition.  "Because you think I'm an asshole,"  Spurrier replies calmly.  "Actually, I'm not an asshole.  It's just that I'm British, and, well ... you're not."

We see him navigating the back roads of Napa in a rented Gremlin, selecting wines for his competition and getting around U.S. Customs by convincing 26 fellow air travelers to each carry a bottle back for him.  That the momentous competition actually took place, that it shook the wine world to it's foundations, that it was repeated 20 years later, is a story many people are vaguely familiar with.  But"Bottle Shock" is more than the story.  it is also about people who love their work, care about it with passion and talk about it with knowledge.  Did you know that a thirsty, struggling vine produces the best wines?  It can't just sit there sipping water.  It has to struggle -- just like Chateau Montelena.

JAV's 16th Annual Renaissance Festival 2013

Can you believe it's already time for our annual Renaissance Festival?!  Come join us as we step back in time for a day for some medieval frivolity of sword fighting, juggling, belly dancing, archery, turkey legs, and James Arthur Vineyards Mead wine, and more.  Below is an outline of the day's scheduled events.  $2 per person admission at gate - all proceeds going to Heartland Big Brothers-Big Sisters.

Sir Benjamin's Park

12:00   Royal Griffin Acting Company

12:30   Renaissance Music with Chris Sayre

1:00     Jennifer Buehler, Folk Harpist

1:30     Troupe Sicorae Dance

3:00     Basharaat Dance

3:30     Jennifer Buehler, Folk Harpist/Wench Walk

4:00     Throwing Picassos

4:30     Whorlwind Dance

5:00     Jewel in the Lotus Dance

Lord Beau's Waterfall

1:00     Royal Griffin Acting Company

1:30     Basharaat Dance

2:00     Renaissance Music with Chris Sayre

3:00     Strolling Picassos

3:30     Jewel in the Lotus Dance

4:00     Whorlwind Dance

SCA Tournament Lawn

1:00     Armored Combat & Tournaments

1:40     Dancing

2:00     Armored Combat & Tournaments

2:40     Dancing

2:50     Royal Procession - starting at top of merchants row, arriving at arena for tournament

3:00     Armored Combat & Tournaments

3:40     Dancing

4:00     Armored Combat & Tournaments

4:40     Dancing

Archery Range

Noon to 6:00   Public Shooting - Demos at various times throughout the day

For the Little Lords and Lassies

The younger ones are sure to enjoy the festival as well, with make believe dress up as a king, queen, pirncess, Robin Hood, jester, knight, maiden - or they can build a sand castle, feather a falcon, make a stained glass window, slay a dragon, and more! 

FOOD, WINE, MUSIC, AND MORE!

2nd Annual Fun Photo Contest

 

It's summer and time for our 2nd Annual Fun Photo Contest.  It's easy to participate and you can win 1 case of JAV wine or 2 tickets to any of our future special events!

All you have to do is take a picture of your summer fun including JAV wine, or any other item featuring our logo.  Share it on Facebook tagging James Arthur Vineyards so that we know you've shared it.  Winning images will be printed and displayed in the winery - so the higher the quality, the better.

We look forward to seeing your photos...be creative and have lots of fun!

Movie Night Under the Stars!

After we close for the evening, we're bringing back the outdoor movie.  Join us under the stars as we provide wine, food, and a flick! 

$12.50 per person - Reservations Required

A Christmas Cabaret

Due to popular demand, we've added an additional Christmas Cabaret for Dec. 7th, at 7:00 p.m.

Please call the winery to purchase your tickets today!  1.402.783.5255
 













Dec 8th show - SOLD OUT!!
With Judy Anderson & Friends, this is an old-fashioned, fun-filled evening enjoying Christmas songs and Holiday Broadway hits. Seating is limited, and going fast - so, make your reservations today!  402-783-5255

Sip, Shop, & Drop

The season is upon us and last minute shopping can be frustrating. JAV invites you to join us this year at our Sip, Shop, and Drop on December 1st. Relax by the fireplace with free wine tastings and then, browse through our great gift shop for sales and wine specials all day noon til 6 pm.

Winemaker Dinner

Call today for reservations...seats are going fast!  402.783.5255

Haunted Hike

Both dates - SOLD OUT!
Call today for reservations - 402.783.5255

Murder Mystery Dinner

SOLD OUT!
Call to make reservations today - sells out FAST!  402.783.5255

Top Chef

Call the winery for more details.  402.783.5255