19 reviews
While not loving the first film in the trilogy 2016's 'Autumn in the Vineyard', it was still a nice film and by far the best film in the 'In the Vineyard' trilogy. Perhaps the only good one, did have quite a number of problems with the other two while not considering either of them terrible. Hallmark varies when it comes to its sequels, some surprised me pleasantly while others didn't feel needed and the quality wasn't the same. Expectations were mixed for 2017's 'Summer in the Vineyard'.
And the execution was rather mixed as well. 'Summer in the Vineyard' is not a terrible film and Hallmark did do much worse in 2017 (as well as better). Considering how good 'Autumn in the Vineyard' was, 'Summer in the Vineyard' wasn't the same, didn't have enough of what made that film click and also didn't feel needed. Also do agree that one does need to see 'Autumn in the Vineyard' to understand what goes on here, otherwise it is likely one will be lost.
'Summer in the Vineyard' definitely does have good things. The scenery is absolutely beautiful and the vibrant photography captures it very well. Rachael Leigh Cook is still perky and charming, she has lost none of that, and Brendan Penny has also lost none of his easy going and subtle charisma. He and Cook still gel very nicely. The chemistry is there still, but it could have been more playful. The supporting cast show a good deal of variety and enthusiasm.
Did have major issues with the writing and the story, but it did have cute and charming moments here and there. The editing is better here, with smoother transitions.
However, there is a lot that could have been much better. The characters are not particularly well developed and feel one-dimensional. Story-wise, the film is on the dull and bland side while also making the mistake of trying to include far too much. Which made it not easy to follow and also feeling over-stuffed. The writing is rather awkward and cheesy and some of the sentiment gets too much.
Furthermore, the direction did feel routine, while there is not much memorable about the music, the final act feels rushed and forced and much more could have been done with the vineyard setting. That aspect was done beautifully before but too underused here.
Overall, rather disappointing but has its moments. 5/10.
And the execution was rather mixed as well. 'Summer in the Vineyard' is not a terrible film and Hallmark did do much worse in 2017 (as well as better). Considering how good 'Autumn in the Vineyard' was, 'Summer in the Vineyard' wasn't the same, didn't have enough of what made that film click and also didn't feel needed. Also do agree that one does need to see 'Autumn in the Vineyard' to understand what goes on here, otherwise it is likely one will be lost.
'Summer in the Vineyard' definitely does have good things. The scenery is absolutely beautiful and the vibrant photography captures it very well. Rachael Leigh Cook is still perky and charming, she has lost none of that, and Brendan Penny has also lost none of his easy going and subtle charisma. He and Cook still gel very nicely. The chemistry is there still, but it could have been more playful. The supporting cast show a good deal of variety and enthusiasm.
Did have major issues with the writing and the story, but it did have cute and charming moments here and there. The editing is better here, with smoother transitions.
However, there is a lot that could have been much better. The characters are not particularly well developed and feel one-dimensional. Story-wise, the film is on the dull and bland side while also making the mistake of trying to include far too much. Which made it not easy to follow and also feeling over-stuffed. The writing is rather awkward and cheesy and some of the sentiment gets too much.
Furthermore, the direction did feel routine, while there is not much memorable about the music, the final act feels rushed and forced and much more could have been done with the vineyard setting. That aspect was done beautifully before but too underused here.
Overall, rather disappointing but has its moments. 5/10.
- TheLittleSongbird
- Apr 20, 2022
- Permalink
In this sequel to "Autumn in the Vineyard" there is relatively little romance. Most of the story is about the logistics of hosting a large festival and dinner. Fortunately the last portion of the film is more entertaining, and the story wraps up nicely.
The characters are enjoyable, as in the first film, but their relationship is plagued by communication issues that prove to be a plot point. Perhaps there will be a third installment, allowing the characters to indulge their romantic inclinations more. The valley setting is a beautiful place in which to situate a romance.
The characters are enjoyable, as in the first film, but their relationship is plagued by communication issues that prove to be a plot point. Perhaps there will be a third installment, allowing the characters to indulge their romantic inclinations more. The valley setting is a beautiful place in which to situate a romance.
The movie was nice and insightful. It showed the ups and downs in a relationship as well as negativity when couples or even friends for that matter do not communicate with each other. It showed that communication is one of the pillars for a successful relationship.
- kenishaliyanage
- Aug 31, 2019
- Permalink
- ISmellSnow
- Aug 30, 2020
- Permalink
A pale sequel to the very good Autumn in the Vineyard. The same beautiful landscapes without any of the interesting suspenseful plot points and multidimensional characters of the original. Frankie and Nate are trying to keep their new venture afloat but have conflicting management styles and suffer from a lack of communication. At the end they learn to work together. Thanks to a miracle at the end their vineyard is saved. Yawn.
- rebekahrox
- Aug 21, 2017
- Permalink
I found this one and Valentine's in the Vineyard much more enjoyable than the first. The friendly competition between all the vineyards is fun without being malicious, and the characters have good chemistry. The romance seems a little forced at times, but I think that is the lead actress just being a bit awkward.
I think the biggest problem with this sequel is that it tried to do too much, but maybe the acting and direction weighed it down as well.
If I heard one more "The wine isn't ready yet" after Frankie tasted it, I was going to scream.
This sequel adds a romance between Nate's brother, Marco, and Frankie's cousin, Lexy. It's a nice enough side story with some good chemistry. This might have been the best part of the movie, or at least the easiest for the viewer to identify with.
For most of the movie, Frankie and Nate just weren't clicking. Even when they did click, it seemed strained when they definitely should have been nothing but happy.
The fate of Sorrento Vineyard seemed to rock back and forth as more issues were added to the mix that affected their financial future. I think it was too much for the movie to handle. They seemed to bounce from one issue to another without really giving the viewer time to absorb any of them.
As much as I liked Frankie and Nate in the first movie, I just couldn't get invested in their relationship in the sequel.
If I heard one more "The wine isn't ready yet" after Frankie tasted it, I was going to scream.
This sequel adds a romance between Nate's brother, Marco, and Frankie's cousin, Lexy. It's a nice enough side story with some good chemistry. This might have been the best part of the movie, or at least the easiest for the viewer to identify with.
For most of the movie, Frankie and Nate just weren't clicking. Even when they did click, it seemed strained when they definitely should have been nothing but happy.
The fate of Sorrento Vineyard seemed to rock back and forth as more issues were added to the mix that affected their financial future. I think it was too much for the movie to handle. They seemed to bounce from one issue to another without really giving the viewer time to absorb any of them.
As much as I liked Frankie and Nate in the first movie, I just couldn't get invested in their relationship in the sequel.
Sweet story. Good acting. I especially liked the non-lead actors. BUT WHAT HAPPENED to the original Charles Baldwin--Tom Butler. I liked him alot as the girl's dad.
- Jazzie-too
- Sep 7, 2018
- Permalink
Nice to charming. Love, tension, family, a big festival and the occasion of affirmation. All in fair manner crafted. Predictable, no doubts but seductive for a sort of spring state.
- Kirpianuscus
- May 18, 2022
- Permalink
A vineyard owned by a couple volunteers to host the summer festival of their town in their vineyard. The couple faces challenges, and the movie is about how they deal with those difficulties.
The movie is a sequel to Autumn in the Vineyard, released in 2018. If you haven't watched that movie, you cannot follow the story. The movie is beautiful and sweet, and its prequel reminds us all the time that it's a TV movie. The movie had a huge scope of romance, but none was utilised by the makers. Instead, the movie's entire focus is on the logistics of hosting the festival.
There's no expression of love among the couple except for a few short kiss scenes. The movie could have turned into a cult classic if the makers had intended the movie to be more romantic.
Wasted potential.
The movie is a sequel to Autumn in the Vineyard, released in 2018. If you haven't watched that movie, you cannot follow the story. The movie is beautiful and sweet, and its prequel reminds us all the time that it's a TV movie. The movie had a huge scope of romance, but none was utilised by the makers. Instead, the movie's entire focus is on the logistics of hosting the festival.
There's no expression of love among the couple except for a few short kiss scenes. The movie could have turned into a cult classic if the makers had intended the movie to be more romantic.
Wasted potential.
Wow! I loved Autumn in the Vineyard. I haven't even finished this, but I plan to. I just wanted to offer my opinion from what I've seen so far. The dialogue was so hard to follow and the storyline as well. The director assumed you knew the past story. The characters were talking so quickly that I could barely understand what they were saying. Maybe it will get better as I watch the movie but such a disappointment from the first one.
7.2 stars.
The characters stay true to their personalities in this second go round of the Vineyard series. First of all this is mainly about a bunch of vineyard and pastry entrepreneurs and friends mingling and aspiring to be better business owners. There is a lot of potentially exciting material like trying wines, doing business, routine pet alpaca interactions, and some minor conflicts amongst the two leads. The last 30 minutes is great, the first 90 minutes is a very very long introduction in preparation for the final scenes. While the film itself is somewhat entertaining, it starts off slow. This tends to happen with movies that come in threes. The writers and directors tend to slack off when they have 6 hours of story to work with, and so they insert some unwanted filler. It's not quite as good as the first one for me, probably due to the lack of rivalry and drama between families. She is more neurotic and he is less savvy in this sequel.
The characters stay true to their personalities in this second go round of the Vineyard series. First of all this is mainly about a bunch of vineyard and pastry entrepreneurs and friends mingling and aspiring to be better business owners. There is a lot of potentially exciting material like trying wines, doing business, routine pet alpaca interactions, and some minor conflicts amongst the two leads. The last 30 minutes is great, the first 90 minutes is a very very long introduction in preparation for the final scenes. While the film itself is somewhat entertaining, it starts off slow. This tends to happen with movies that come in threes. The writers and directors tend to slack off when they have 6 hours of story to work with, and so they insert some unwanted filler. It's not quite as good as the first one for me, probably due to the lack of rivalry and drama between families. She is more neurotic and he is less savvy in this sequel.
Originally I thought to myself that this would be an interesting film with a touch of summer since this was set in the summer time, but it was nothing like I expected. While I like the couple their main problem was communication and trust and those are essential parts to any relationship, especially since they are also business partners as well as a couple. Personally, I feel the first film was much better and there were times I had to mute or look away from the screen. Seriously the first film was differently better the first and that's saying a lot coming from me since I always look forward to sequels and find them to be almost as good as the first.
- MovieTVRomanceFan
- Jan 19, 2019
- Permalink
I enjoyed both movies and I truly hope more will be made. For some reason I like those two actors together.
- gizou-70747
- Feb 28, 2018
- Permalink
I didn't think it was as good as the first one. There were some inconsistencies with casting and locations. They recast the dad, the best friend was gone as was the other DeLuca brother. There were way too many subplots happening: the wine not being good, hosting the summer festival, the fertilizer incident, Frankie's cousin and Marco dating, etc. It was just very disorganized and not as thoughtful as the first movie. The couple has way too much conflict.
- rachel-m-vaughan
- Oct 13, 2018
- Permalink
- phd_travel
- Feb 2, 2018
- Permalink
Summer in Napa are nothing like the book, a very poor imitation fact. Summer in Napa is totally about Marco Deluca and Alexis Moreau (not Nate Deluca and Frankie Baldwin( Baudoin in book) .The book plot is that Alexis returns home to St Helena to help run and renovate her grandmothers bakery following her divorce from a rat who kept their restaurant and cheats her out of her recipes, she has trust issues. The gran and her friends including chi chi the Deluca's gran are matchmaking the couple without them realising.Marco runs the Grand Hotel and is in charge of reintroducing an annual festival, he is a playboy who deosn't do relationships but something about Lexi has him hooked but he fights it. Alexis (Lexi) has to compete to be the chef to cook for it. He is her ex husbands friend who is making a deal behind her back which will affect their growing relationship when it comes to light.they have chemistry he denies is he wants more until he nearly loses her and calls out his friend over his treatment of Lexi when he realises his life is empty without her so they can have their HEA. Does this sound anything like this movie NO it makes Nate and Frankie the main characters and Marco and Lexi minor characters.the story in this movie is pathetic and very bland. Hallmark should at least try to stick to the story line,the romance like a lot of their movies nearly nonexsistent, anyway the film was totally disappointing. Why Marina allowed her lovely books to be changed to this unrecognizable junk i have no idea yes i know is an adaptation but still if i was her i would disassociate myself from this travesty. i thought the casting of the Deluca men was great though not so much Frankie, actress who was cast as Lexi hardy had enough screen time to comment. the 2 stars are for casting
- pauline-13984
- Jul 27, 2018
- Permalink