New book by Kirk and Mira Honeycutt explores the lasting impact of Sideways on Santa Barbara’s wine country
NORTH COUNTY — Wine and film have long had a symbiotic relationship, with their rich narratives and sensory experiences providing an intoxicating blend for enthusiasts of both worlds. In Sideways Uncorked, film critic Kirk Honeycutt and wine journalist Mira Advani Honeycutt explore the remarkable intersection of these two passions through the lens of Sideways, Alexander Payne’s 2004 critically acclaimed film. This dynamic work not only chronicles the making of the film but also examines its profound influence on the wine industry, particularly in the Santa Barbara region.
At its heart, Sideways tells the story of two middle-aged men, Miles and Jack, as they embark on a weeklong road trip through California’s wine country. While the narrative explores friendship, love, and midlife crises, it’s the film’s backdrop — the Santa Barbara wine country — and its homage to Pinot Noir that has left a lasting cultural impact. The Honeycutts’ book unpacks this journey, revealing how a film based on an unpublished novel by Rex Pickett became a pop-culture sensation and transformed the wine landscape.