Lights - Camera - Action! Movies made in the Napa Valley

The Napa Valley is the playground for the rich and famous and a lot of Hollywood types either have a home here or consider the Wine Country one of their favorite places to visit.  But did you know there have been quite a few movies made in the Napa Valley as well?
As far back as 1937, the Napa Valley has been a favorite filming location. Here are some you might want to take a look at and conduct your own Napa Valley film festival.

This Earth is Mine (1959)

This story of a wine making family during prohibition starring Rock Hudson was filmed at several Napa Valley wineries, including Beaulieu Vineyards in Rutherford, Beringer Vineyards in St. Helena, and the Christian Brothers Winery which was then in Napa.

Pollyanna (1960) 

One famous scene from this Disney classic was filmed in St. Helena in the heart of the Napa Valley. The Harrington Station shown in the film was actually the old St. Helena depot on Railroad Avenue.

Wild in the Country (1961) 
This little movie about a down on his luck youth stars a young musician you may have heard of... Elvis Presley! The teen heart-throb created such a stir during his two-month stay for filming, that he was moved from downtown Napa to the St. Helena home that was being used in the film to what is now a top-rated Napa Valley inn The Ink House. If you're an Elvis fan, you could stay in the same room that Elvis slept in  the next time you're visiting the Napa Valley!

Apocalypse Now (1975) 

Director Francis Ford Coppola has called Napa Valley home for many years and also built his production company, Zoetrope Studio, here. Some of the sound effects and several exterior scenes for Apocalypse Now were filmed around Napa Valley.

Moonraker (1979)  

James Bond in the Napa Valley? The aerial scenes in the opening sequence were filmed over several locations in the Napa Valley. This spy thriller starring Roger Moore also filmed on location in Brazil, France, Italy, Argentina, England, Paraguay, and Guatemala!

Falcon Crest (1981-1987) 

Though not a movie, the television show, Falcon Crest is worthy to note for it's long and popular run. This soap opera style show about a winery owning family was filmed not just at the Spring Mountain Vineyards but also the Silverado Country Club, Stag's Leap Winery, in and around Yountville, as wells as many other Napa Valley locations.

Black Rain (1989) 
Directed by Ridley Scott and featuring a cast that includes Micheal Douglas and Andy Garcia, Black Rain is a thriller which included an exciting motorcycle chase scene in and around the town of Napa.

Dying Young (1991)

The inspiring story about a young woman starting her life over had several scenes which were filmed at the Stag's Leap Ranch on the Silverado Trail. Oh, and it happened to star a beautiful young actress named Julia Roberts!

A Walk in the Clouds (1995)
If you are going to film a story about a young man who falls in love with a vineyard owner's daughter, you are pretty much required to film in the Napa Valley. This sweet love story starring Keanu Reeves was filmed at several wineries including Duck Horn Vineyard just north of St. Helena.

Patch Adams (1989)

This bittersweet comedy stars Napa Valley resident, Robin Williams. The not-so-funny funeral scene was filmed at the picturesque cemetery in St. Helena.

The Parent Trap (1998)
This remake of a Disney Classic featured a darling young Lindsay Lohan and Dennis Quade. Several scenes were filmed at the Staglin Family Vineyard in Rutherford.

Mumford (1999)

This quirky comedy was filmed in several locations throughout Napa Valley, both in Napa and St. Helena. 

Bandits (2001)
Parts of this must-see comedy starring Billy Bob Thorton & Bruce Willis were filmed in downtown Napa.

Monsturd (2003)

Admittedly not one of the Napa Valley's most shining moments, this campy monster movie featured a villein created from human waste was inexplicably filmed in St. Helena.

Zodiac (2005)
Based on the true story of one of history's most notorious serial killers, this made in the Napa Valley movie features a frightening scene filmed at Lake Berryessa in the actual location of the Zodiac Killer's first murder in 1968.

Bottleshock (2008)

This story the early days of Napa Valley wine making features the infamous blind wine tasting of 1976 known as "the Judgment of Paris." It is a fun Napa Valley movie that was filmed at the beautiful Chateau Montelena as well as several exterior shots in Calistoga and Napa.

Bedtime Stories (2008)
A family friendly comedy starring Adam Sandler and Kerri Russel. Sandler's character brings children's stories to life, including a medieval scene filmed at the Napa Valley's authentic castle - Castello de Amorosa.

Twixt (2011)

Filmed using a unique combination of 2- and 3-D, this horror/thriller was written and directed by Napa Valley's own Francis Ford Coppola.



Napa Valley Dreams (2013)

Though there have been many documentary films about the Napa Valley, none has told the story in such a unique way as Napa Valley Dreams. The images and story will give you a whole new look at Napa Valley Life. Now showing at the historic Cameo Cinema in downtown St. Helena several times a week.