Under the Vines is a New Zealand comedy drama television series created by Erin White[6] filmed in Central Otago.[7] Produced by Acorn TV, the show has run two seasons with a third season in development as of October 2023.[8]

Under the Vines
Genrecomedy drama
Created byErin White
Starring
  • Rebecca Gibney as Daisy Monroe
  • Charles Edwards as Louis Oakley
  • Sarah Peirse as Marissa
  • Trae Te Wiki as Tippy
  • Simon Mead as Gus
  • Cohen Holloway as Vic
  • Carrie Green as Nic
Theme music composer
Composer
Country of originNew Zealand
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons3
No. of episodes18
Production
Executive producers
  • Rebecca Gibney
  • Richard Fletcher
  • Brendan Dahill[3]
CinematographyDavid Paul NZCS[4]
Running time60 minutes
Production companies
Original release
NetworkAcorn TV

Plot

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Two step-cousins — Australian socialite Daisy Munroe and UK lawyer Louis Oakley — inherit a declining New Zealand vineyard, Oakley Wines, in the fictional Peak View[9] wine district located in the real wine district of Central Otago.[10] The joint heirs have no experience with wine-making or New Zealand rural culture, and each is having financial, social, and existential crises. They become interested in the winery's future but frequently don't see eye-to-eye. Furthermore, a neighbouring vineyard wants to buy Oakley Wines and is unhappy that the inexperienced newcomers might stay.

Cast and characters

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Main

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  • Rebecca Gibney as Daisy Monroe: a Sydney socialite and stepdaughter and financial dependent of recently deceased Stanley Oakley.
  • Charles Edwards as Louis Oakley: a UK lawyer with a failing marriage and financial troubles and nephew to Stanley.
  • Sarah Peirse as Marissa Silverton: Peakview's local socialite, President of the wine Federation board and co-owner of neighbouring 'Shimmering Lake' vineyard, keen on buying Oakley Wines at a low price.
  • John Bach as Don Silverton: Marissa's husband and co-owner of 'Shimmering Lake' vineyard.
  • Trae Te Wiki as Tippy (Isabella) Bidois: Oakley's young, adventurous and newly successful vintner/winemaker.
  • Simon Mead as Gus: Manager of the vines and physical 'grunt' of the Oakley vineyard.
  • Cohen Holloway as Vic Grimes: A local lawyer managing the sale of Oakley Vineyard and also a small time winemaker and husband of Nic Grimes.
  • Carrie Green as Nic Grimes: a clay sculptor with a quest to improve her fertility and have a child.
  • Catherine Wilkin as Hilary van der Boor, owner of nearby vegan, biodynamic and lesbian winery Coven Wines, holder of winemaking wisdom, and practitioner of naked gardening.

Recurring

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  • Dean O'Gorman as Griffin 'Griff' Galway: Daisy's gay best friend, an Australian famous international actor.
  • Lotima Pome'e as Rowan: a young, multiply employed, local worker and entrepreneur.
  • Sara Wiseman as Simone Oakley: Louis's wife from whom he is separated.
  • Sam Gardner as Julian 'Jay' Oakley: Louis's son.
  • Unknown Cat as Pussy Galore: The elusive three-legged cat that belongs to the Oakley Vineyard.

Episodes

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Season 1 (2021)

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No.
overall
No. in
season
Directed byWritten byOriginal air date
11Danny MulheronTimothy Balme,
Erin White
6 December 2021 (2021-12-06)
Oakley Wines owner Stanley has passed away and left the winery to two city-slicker heirs: Step-daughter Daisy from Australia and nephew Louis from the UK. They wrangle and disagree over what to do with the struggling vineyard as the lives of each are unravelling. Rival winemakers Marissa and Don Silverton - secretly dependent on the quality of the Oakley grapes - make a under-value offer to buy Oakley Wines which leads to a contentious decision for the new owners.
22Danny MulheronNick Ward,
Erin White
6 December 2021 (2021-12-06)

Daisy takes an interest in the winery, but Louis wants to sell-up and leave quickly. Tippy tries to interest Louis in the art of winemaking and raise his interest in making the winery financially viable, with the added motivation for her and Gus to keep their jobs and make something of their past efforts at the winery.

Louis seeks advice from neighbor Hillary of Coven Wines with the aim of selling the winery as a 'going concern'. Louis and Daisy visit to the bank but it doesn't go so well.

Robert the builder passes through and Daisy takes an interest in him plus asks him to quote for repair work.
33Danny MulheronErin White13 December 2021 (2021-12-13)

Louis' estranged wife and son - Simone and Julian - visit Louis at Oakley for a short holiday. Daisy encourages the team to prepare the winery for the 'Behind the Vines' showcase, but to be accepted she needs to impress her rival and the head of the board, Marissa Silverton.

Daisy meets Ben at the 'Church' wine bar and she becomes friendly with the smitten Ben as they 'haggle' over the price of his used fridge which is up for sale. Over wine, she criticizes local 'bully' Marissa and finds out Ben is the son of Marissa and Don Silverton.

Louis wants to win back his wife Simone, but is clueless how to do it. Julian and the other kids disappear from the working bee and get into trouble.
44Danny MulheronJosephine Stewart-Te Whiu,
Erin White
20 December 2021 (2021-12-20)

Daisy photographs the uncomfortable Tippy for the showcase promotion. Louis is sulking since Simone confirmed their breakup will be permanent. Tippy and Gus start disciplining Louis like a child to help with the winery. Griff visits to cheer up Daisy and they have lunch at the "Church' wine bar while Daisy slyly ignores Ben. Louis attempts to plant some trees but ends up in the pub and has a romantic liaison. Griff and Gus become friendly while planting trees. Griff takes Daisy for a spa day, but she forgets her commitment to attend Nic's fertility ceremony.

Griff and Daisy argue over each ones avoidance of commitment. Griff for Gus and Daisy for Louis. Louis overheard the argument and is a miffed as he was starting to like Daisy.
55Danny MulheronKathryn Burnett,
Erin White
27 December 2021 (2021-12-27)
Daisy starts to spend more time with Ben and ignoring apology messages from Griff. Gus is distracting himself putting excessive energy into preparing a pergola. Tippy has vineyard problems. Louis panics when Julian goes missing in the UK. Ben helps Daisy pickup furniture.
66Danny MulheronHarry McNaughton,
Erin White
3 January 2022 (2022-01-03)

Daisy and Louis try to explain to Julian how the half-cousin-joint-heirs woke up on the 'small' blanket by the former evenings outdoor fire, appearing to be cuddling. It's the day before the showcase and everyone is busy in preparation as Nic Grimes brings news of a very favourable wine review in the local paper. Marissa Silverton isn't happy with this news. Tippy is dreading her looming speech as the Gold-Medal winning vintner of Oakley and Daisy offers guidance. Griff arrives to hide from a 'uncloseting' scandal he is denying, leaving Gus a little confused and disappointed.

A lavatory disaster leads Marissa's to cancel her extravagant Gala-Dinner. Daisy starts giving Ben the cold shoulder but offers Oakley as an alternative dinner venue and most Federation board members agree to it.

Daisy appreciates Louis defending her against a jealous outburst from Marissa. Tippy freezes during her speech, but eventually finds her voice and gives a killer speech. Daisy breaks it off with Ben as Marissa turns up drunk. Daisy encourages her to go home and for Ben to take her. The elusive 3 legged cat, Pussy Galore, finally appears. Louis and Daisy are falling for each other, but Simone calls and wants Louis back.

Season 2 (2023)

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No.
overall
No. in
season
Directed byWritten byOriginal air date
71Joshua FrizzellKelly Lefever,
Erin White
23 January 2023 (2023-01-23)
82Joshua FrizzellHarry McNaughton,
Erin White
23 January 2023 (2023-01-23)
93Joshua FrizzellNick Ward,
Erin White
30 January 2023 (2023-01-30)
104Katie WolfeSteph Matuku,
Erin White
30 January 2023 (2023-01-30)
115Katie WolfeKathryn Burnett,
Erin White
6 February 2023 (2023-02-06)
126Katie WolfeErin White6 February 2023 (2023-02-06)

References

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  1. ^ "The East Pointers - Wintergreen". YouTube. 26 July 2019. Retrieved 7 April 2023.
  2. ^ "Under The Vines Season One". Claires Music. November 2021. Retrieved 5 April 2023.
  3. ^ "Under The Vines". NZ Film Commission. Retrieved 5 April 2023.
  4. ^ "David Paul NZCS". LinkedIn. Retrieved 7 April 2023.
  5. ^ "Under The Vines". NZ Film Commission. Retrieved 5 April 2023.
  6. ^ "Erin White". Internet Movie Database. Retrieved 4 August 2023.
  7. ^ "Rebecca Gibney raises a glass to local series Under The Vines". Stuff. Retrieved 4 April 2023.
  8. ^ Whittock, Jesse (12 October 2023). "'Under The Vines': Acorn TV's Lighthearted Comedy Returning For Third Run". Deadline. Retrieved 29 October 2023.
  9. ^ "Under The Vines Filmed in Central Otago New Zealand". peakviewwine.com. Retrieved 4 April 2023.
  10. ^ "Central Otago Winegrowers Association". centralotagowine.co. Retrieved 4 April 2023.
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