Introducing Stem & Barrel: Napa Valley, an Exciting New Documentary Featuring BV

Have you ever wondered what it’s really like to make fine wine in Napa? Stem & Barrel: Napa Valley is the insider documentary you’ve been waiting for. Produced by Dundas Media in partnership with Warner Bros. Discovery, this new film follows Beaulieu Vineyard, Etude, and Frank Family Vineyards as they navigate leadership, legacy, and the responsibility of carrying Napa Valley forward to the next generation.  

Set against the intensity of a single harvest, the documentary reveals the emotional and physical realities behind winemaking, where each decision can shape an entire vintage.  

In the film, our Senior Winemaker Nate Weis leads his team through a defining moment—his first vintage of Georges de Latour Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon—while the historic estate undergoes a landmark renovation.   

The film’s executive producer and director, Jason Dundas, Dundas Media, says of the project: “Stem & Barrel: Napa Valley is ultimately a story about people, pressure, and purpose. Whether in the vineyard, cellar, or tasting room, these wineries are navigating the challenge of honoring tradition while continuously evolving for the future.”  

A Conversation with Sr. Winemaker Nate Weis

Q. What made you want to participate in Stem & Barrel: Napa Valley? 

Nate: What stood out was the opportunity to show what harvest feels like, including the decisions, pressure, and the team here behind it. It’s also fun and special for me to see the moments with my dad, a well-known winemaker himself, captured in the film.  

Q. What was it like having cameras follow you through such a high-pressure moment? Did you forget they were there, or were there moments where you thought, “I hope that didn’t make the final cut”? 

Nate: (Laughs) There are moments where you think, we’ll see what ends up on screen. Harvest is already such an intense, fast-paced time that you don’t really have the bandwidth to perform—you’re just doing the work.  

The film crew did a great job of blending in, but I’m sure there are a few moments where’ll I’ll watch it and think, ‘that’s exactly how it felt in real time.’ It’s a little surreal, honestly, to see something that usually stays behind the scenes captured in that way.  

Q. You were leading your first vintage of Georges de Latour Private Reserve while the winery was undergoing a major transformation. How did those two experiences intersect for you?  

Nate: It really brought everything into focus. Georges de Latour isn’t just another wine. It represents decades of expectation and identity for BV. And at the same time, the physical space around us is evolving in a big way.  There were moments in harvest where you could literally see and hear that contrast. We would be crushing grapes at the optical sorter, while crews with construction equipment were next door. It reinforced that what we’re doing here isn’t static, we are stewards of something special but also responsible for moving it forward.  

Q. BV’s new hospitality center opens on July 13. What are you most excited for guests to experience in this new era?  

Nate: I’m excited for people to feel the connection between the history of BV and where we’re going. Our renovation brings new energy to a historic space. It’s special and we are going to be able to give our guests a complete experience where they can understand not just the wines but the people, the vineyards, and the decisions behind them.   

Q. What do you hope viewers take away from the film? 

Nate: I hope people see that a single vintage is the result of a lot of small, important decisions made under pressure. It’s not just about the final bottle. It’s about the people behind it, the responsibility to the land, and the idea that you only get one chance each year to get it right. Some of it’s science, but some of it is experience and instinct.  

FAQ 

Where can I watch Stem & Barrel: Napa Valley? 

You can watch Stem & Barrel: Napa Valley on Discovery, The Cooking Channel, and streaming on several platforms including discovery+ . 

How can I learn more about BV’s renowned Georges de Latour Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon? 

When Beaulieu Vineyard founder Georges de Latour’s personal wine was first released to the public as our winery’s new flagship Cabernet Sauvignon in 1938, it immediately soared to global acclaim, becoming California’s “Original Cult Cab.” You can learn more about this exceptional wine, its heritage, its profound influence on California winemaking, and about legendary winemaker André Tchelistcheff, plus find currently available vintages here.  

Can I visit Beaulieu Vineyard to experience the renovated stone winery? 

Yes! We’re opening our new hospitality center to the public on July 13. You can learn about our renovation journey, discover our all-new culinary pairing experiences, and book your visit here.