Vintners Guild
This September Toby Buck hopes to drive a herd of sheep over the Thames, tapping into one of the entitlements of being a Freeman of London in the Vintners Company.
Back in 2004 the funniest wine novel of all time spawned the funniest wine film of all time and even won an Academy Award for its screenplay.
Has the momentum for all things 'Sideways' slowed since then? Heck no! The story has formed into a stage play, a podcast and a musical. Its author, Californian Rex Pickett has even developed Kiwi connections to create a range of Sideways wines from Martinborough, Hawke's Bay and Central Otago (blackmarket.co.nz).
But those connections have also grown to the point where Rex is now ensconced in New Zealand, travelling our wine regions and gathering inspiration for the much-anticipated new Sideways book, set in New Zealand.
This is exciting news, and even more exciting that the book could form the basis for a sequel to the hit film, shot right here in New Zealand and showcasing our jaw-droppingly beautiful wine regions and excellent wine characters. We're fizzing about the plot lines already. Will Jack still be married? Will Miles still hate merlot? Will they cause chaos and carnage out there in Kiwi cellardoor land? We can't wait to find out!
Follow Rex's travels on Instagram @rexpickett