Movie road trip: A cinematic site per state for all 50 states

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California: Sideways

California and the movie industry are closely tied together. Beyond the film studios in the state, many movies have featured California landmarks. From the Golden Gate Bridge to the Hollywood sign, a multitude of movies are set in California.

With so many options, I chose a movie with a trip that I would love to take. The movie Sideways has two friends traveling through Santa Barbara wine country. The characters may have been going through a mid-life crisis, but the two men had a strong friendship. You might remember this movie for the characters hatred of merlot.

From drinking wine to eating lots of food, Sideways offers a fun itinerary through the Santa Ynez Valley area. Many of the locations featured in the movie are still open. A great place to start is the Solvang Restaurant in Solvang. This restaurant features the Danish Aebleskiver. This dish is similar to a pancake or a waffle, but it is shaped like a ball. Normally, they are topped with jam and powdered sugar. A hearty breakfast of Aebleskiver will help with the multiple winery stops.

Many Santa Barbara wineries are shown in Sideways. The movie publicized Pinot Noir options in the area. But, there are other varietals too. The warm days and cool nights makes from superb wine.

One vineyard is a must stop, Firestone Wine. With vines coming from Bordeaux and the Rhone Valley, their wines are fruity, jammy, and balanced. The combination of climate, region, and grapes creates some luscious wines that people thoroughly enjoy. Firestone Tasting Room is located Los Olivos and is open daily.