Under the Vines, Series 1 – DVD Review
By Karl Hornsey
Diehard fans of Under the Vines have had to wait some time for the DVD release of series one, but that wait is now over. With this Acorn Media production currently showing on Friday afternoons on BBC1, and no doubt gaining new followers because of it, the series is available for the first time to own. Series one was first broadcast in New Zealand in 2021, with second and third series soon following, which goes some way to demonstrating how popular this light drama has become.
Anyone familiar with Acorn’s output will know what to expect here, as they specialise in the sort of light, comic dramas that feel as comfy as putting on an old and familiar pair of slippers, even from the very first episode. And that’s reassuringly the case here as well, with this series set in a New Zealand vineyard, and starring Rebecca Gibney and Charles Edwards as warring step-cousins. The fish-out-of-water duo find themselves in charge of the failing vineyard, which they must try to make successful if they’re to make it attractive enough to sell, meaning they could split the profits and move on.
“Delightful backdrop”
Naturally, this being TV Dramaland, things don’t quite pan out as intended. Even more naturally, the pair can’t stand the sight of each other upon first meeting, but their relationship starts to thaw as the reality of running the vineyard kicks in, and the attentions of neighbours who want to get their hands on the business by fair means or foul soon sharpens their commitment. As well as trying to get the vineyard back on track, Louis (Edwards) has all manner of problems to deal with in his personal life, most notably both a failing marriage, and a failing career as a lawyer, and it’s easy to root for his underdog character from the off.
The series also features a strong support cast of locals who come to help Louis and Daisy (Gibney) in their travails, and they all find just the right balance of comic touches to help the drama along, rather than derail it. With the beautiful and verdant New Zealand countryside adding a delightful backdrop, this may be the sort of series best watched in the depths of an English winter, but I suspect it’ll provide light relief at any time of year. It’s very bingeworthy and, before you know it, series one is over, leaving you wanting more. Thankfully, the releases of series two and three of this winner shouldn’t be too long in coming.
Karl’s love of writing was piqued at the age of eight, when he won a Blue Peter badge in an essay-writing competition. The location of said badge might be a mystery now, but the memory never fades. Hours spent writing about sport as a teenager, in pre-internet years when you had to make your entertainment, honed his skills, and Karl has worked in TV and radio listings at PA Media for 28 years, and the age of hybrid working means 50% of that can be at home listening to Classic FM and thinking about his next visit to his beloved Yorkshire Dales.
@KarlHornsey, hornskar
