Rotella Productions Partners with California Vintner Miljenko “Mike” Grgich, Producer of World’s Best Chardonnay Outclassing French Burgundies at 1976 Judgment of Paris

Grgich Invests in Movie Judgment of Paris-Filming Marks Competition’s 40th Anniversary

Miljenko "Mike" Grgich with Hollywood Screenwriter Robert Kamen (Karate Kid, Taken Trilogy) filming Judgment of Paris at Grgich Hills Estate (Photo: Business Wire)

PHILADELPHIA--()--Rotella Productions is partnering with Miljenko “Mike” Grgich, the Croatian-born vintner who expertly crafted the 1973 Chardonnay judged the world’s best in the landmark 1976 Paris Tasting, beating the great white wines of Burgundy. The 92-year-old co-founder with Austin Hills of Grgich Hills Estate in Napa Valley is investing in the new movie Judgment of Paris, which is based on that seminal event. The Paris blind tasting was originally staged as a publicity stunt during the 1976 American Bicentennial, and the unexpected results shocked the international wine world. Grgich, who came to the United States in 1958 with $32 dollars hidden in his shoe, realized his American dream. “America is the best nation on earth, a place where I could produce the fruit of my whole life.”

The only journalist to cover the international event—Time Magazine reporter George M. Taber—went on to write the award-winning book, “Judgment of Paris: California vs. France and the Historic 1976 Paris Tasting that Revolutionized Wine” (New York: Scribner, 2005.) The blind-tasting event is now to become a major motion picture.

Veteran Hollywood screenwriter, Robert Mark Kamen, author of the Taken Trilogy and The Karate Kid series, and Florida businessman, Jonathan Rotella, are excited about their new partner: “Miljenko’s support is significant,” says Rotella. “His story represents the American Dream—how hard work, passion and belief in yourself can lead to phenomenal success.”

Funding for the film comes from a number of private investors including Italian winemaker Piero Antinori, who bought Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars in a joint venture with Washington State’s Chateau Ste. Michelle in 2007.

Based on Taber’s book and historical accounts, the screenplay follows the story of wine store and wine school owner, Englishman Steven Spurrier, who staged the historic tasting. The screenplay focuses on the unlikely winners from California: Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars, (who produced the award-winning S.L.V. 1973 Cabernet Sauvignon) and Grgich who crafted the 1973 Chateau Montelena Chardonnay.

Director Andy Tennant, whose films include Hitch (with Will Smith) and Sweet Home Alabama (with Reese Witherspoon), recently signed on to direct the project. Filming is to begin by next summer.

Kamen, too, became fascinated with winemaking: after selling The Karate Kid script, he purchased 280 acres in Sonoma County and became a vintner. Rotella ordered a Kamen Cabernet one day, fell in love with the wine and countless cases later, the two finally met.

“It’s really an American Dream Story,” Kamen said. “It’s about two men who put their heart and soul into pursuing their dreams, producing world-class wines. They do what they love, make wine, and they want the world to know their wines are the best.”

Rotella and Kamen are in the process of raising the capital necessary to fund the film’s production. The offering is open only to “accredited investors” (as such term is defined by Rule 501 of Regulation D under the Securities Act of 1933) who can verify their status in accordance with applicable law. We invite suitable investors who are interested in this opportunity to visit www.judgmentofparismovie.com for more information, including instructions on how to request a copy of the Confidential Private Placement Memorandum (the “PPM” that describes the offering in more detail).

The PPM describes an offering of securities by Bachelor & Bear Enterprises, LLC, a Florida limited liability company (the "Company") managed by Rotella Productions, LLC. The investment opportunity described in the PPM is highly speculative and subject to important risks and uncertainties described therein. The securities being offered thereby have not been approved or disapproved by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) or any state securities authority, nor has the SEC or any state securities authority passed upon the accuracy or adequacy of the PPM. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense. The securities have not been registered under the Act or the securities laws of any state. As a result, investors may be required to hold them indefinitely. No public market exists for the Company’s securities nor is one expected to develop in the future. You are urged to read carefully and in its entirety the PPM and the exhibits attached thereto prior to making any investment in the securities of the Company.

Contacts

Rotella Productions
Susanne LaFrankie
Media Manager
609-868-2005
slafrankie@browningdudley.com
www.judgmentofparismovie.com
Twitter @JudgmtofParis

Release Summary

Rotella Productions and California winemaker announce Judgment of Paris movie project. Filming begins on blind tasting's 40th anniversary

Contacts

Rotella Productions
Susanne LaFrankie
Media Manager
609-868-2005
slafrankie@browningdudley.com
www.judgmentofparismovie.com
Twitter @JudgmtofParis