Screens: Lady Gaga is a woman scorned in House of

Sunday 12/19 CONTINUED FROM PAGE 23 Fun house Vincent Zorn. Enjoy brunch with live music. Free, noon. South and Central Latin Grill, 946 Grady Ave., Suite 104. southand centralgrill.com.

stage

It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play.

See listing for Friday, December 17. $10-18, 2:30pm. Four County Players, Barboursville Community Center, 5256 Governor Barbour St., Barboursville. fourcp.org.

classes

Yoga in the Barn. Join Salute the Sun Yoga for a 60-minute vinyasa flow in the beautiful barn. Free, 11am. Eastwood Farm and Winery, 2531 Scottsville Rd. eastwoodfarm andwinery.com.

etc.

Paramount at the Movies Presents: A Christ-

mas Story. A holiday classic for the ages. $5-8, 1pm. The Paramount Theater, 215 E. Main St., Downtown Mall. theparamount.net.

Paramount Presents: Fifth Annual Brew

& Buddy Run and Elf. Presented in partnership with Champion Brewing Company and Three Notch’d Brewing Company, this fun run and movie screening is sure to get you in the holiday spirit. $5-25, 4:30pm. The Paramount Theater, 215 E. Main St., Downtown Mall. theparamount.net.

Monday 12/20

music

Monday Music Series. Enjoy delicious food and drink paired with live Latin music from Vincent Zorn, Berto & Vincent, or Beleza. Free, 7pm. South and Central Latin Grill, 946 Grady Ave., Suite 104. southandcentralgrill.com.

Musica Sacra Virginia: Music For Advent.

Sacred choral music from throughout the ages. Free-$20, 7pm. Holy Comforter Catholic Church, 208 E. Jefferson St. music asacravirginia.org.

dance

English Country Dance. Partake in some English country dancing, or just come to enjoy the performance. Free, 1pm. The Center at Belvedere, 540 Belvedere Blvd. thecentercville.org.

classes

Meditation on the Lawn. A virtual drop-in meditation or guided reflection hosted by the Contemplative Sciences Center. Free, 7:45am. Online. csc.virginia.edu.

Tuesday 12/21

music

Vincent Zorn. Enjoy great food, tequila, and mescal paired with some wild gypsy rumba. Free, 7pm. The Bebedero, 225 W. Main St., Downtown Mall. thebebedero.com.

dance

English Country Dance. See listing for Monday, December 20. Free, 1pm. The Center at Belvedere, 540 Belvedere Blvd. thecenter cville.org.

etc.

Paramount Presents: Holiday Evening Candlelight Tours of the Historic Theater.

See listing for Friday, December 17. $15-25, 5pm. The Paramount Theater, 215 E. Main St., Downtown Mall. theparamount.net.

Gucci fashion family drama is a cheap thrill

UNITED ARTISTS

Lady Gaga and Adam Driver star in Ridley Scott’s House of Gucci.

By Deirdre Crimmins

arts@c-ville.com

House of Gucci, the second film released in the past two months from director Ridley Scott, is fun to watch. The movie isn’t great, and it isn’t terrible, but it’s full of eye candy. (Scott’s other recent film, The Last Duel, was delayed by the pandemic and released in October this year, and features Ben Affleck and Matt Damon sporting haircuts far less fashionable than the group in Gucci.)

House of Gucci follows the true story of Maurizio Gucci (Adam Driver) and his tumultuous marriage to Patrizia Gucci, née Reggiani (Lady Gaga). The story begins in 1978, when Patrizia meets Maurizio at a party and falls for him—even harder after learning the awkward, bespectacled Maurizio is a Gucci and an heir to the fashion family fortune.

Their relationship causes a rift in the Gucci family, but Maurizio follows his heart and risks losing his inheritance when he marries Patrizia. The couple settles into a blue-collar life—he becomes a truck driver, unthinkable for a man with his lineage. But when Patrizia becomes pregnant, she uses it as leverage to reconnect with the Gucci clan, and the pair is welcomed back into the fold. The film then dives in to a whirlwind of scandals, reconciliations, and murder.

The Gucci name is synonymous with luxury and extravagance, and it’s repeated over and over to frame the family’s societal reach. Gaga’s powerful performance is spotlighted as she fights to use the name, and to be accepted as a Gucci—usually while shoving her wedding rings in whomever’s face she thinks needs to see them.

The true joy of watching House of Gucci comes from the disjointed and endlessly entertaining performances. As Maurizio, Driver does his best to be warm and understated, a sheepish guy who is willing to do just about anything to make his lover happy. (This very well could be the film where Driver smiles the most.) Gaga, meanwhile, lays it on thick as a passionate but occasionally unbalanced Italian who speaks more with her hands than with her mouth.

Jared Leto, caked with cosmetics, plays cousin Paulo. He completely embodies the incompetent Paolo, to the point where it becomes a detriment to the film’s cohesion. Every single choice Leto makes is distracting, from his Mario Brothers accent to his cartoonish physicality.

Aside from a brief runway show with new designer Tom Ford (Reeve Carney), House of Gucci seems uninterested in fashion, a perplexing choice for a movie about fashion’s first family. There is discussion of the famous Gucci scarf design, and Paulo shows off his own questionable designs every time he’s on screen, but these sarto-

House of Gucci

R, 158 minutes

Alamo Drafthouse Cinema, Regal Stonefield & IMAX, Violet Crown Cinema

rial inclusions are used more as framing devices than as an appreciation of clothes.

Even with the colorful performances and juicy source material, House of Gucci manages to be a little dull. Maurizio and Patrizia’s relationship spans decades, and Scott drags us through every bump and reconciliation. At two hours and 38 minutes, the film shuffles along at its own pace, but it’s still enough campy fun to earn our attention.

THE WINEDOWN

WHAT’S DELISH AT LOCAL WINERIES?

WINERY Guide Map

DUCARD VINEYARD

29

HARRISONBURG

81 340

AFTON 64

CROZET 33

STANARDSVILLE MADISON

15

KILAURWEN WINERY

29 REYNARD FLORENCE VINEYARD

ORANGE

HORTON VINEYARDS

GORDONSVILLE

33

CHARLOTTESVILLE KESWICK VINEYARDS

EASTWOOD FARM & WINERY

ZION CROSSROADS LOUISA 53RD WINERY & VINEYARD

64

53RD WINERY AND VINEYARD

Kelso and Chelsey Port-Style Wines Our two Port-style wines Kelso and Chelsey are both excellent as we move into the winter weather. Chelsey shows off unique earthy and dark fruit characters with a warming sensation from the neutral brandy used during fermentation. Kelso has bright ruby red fruit flavors, and more floral notes of sweet violet. Make sure to swing by to purchase these or any of our other wines, as we donate one dollar from each bottle sale in December to the Louisa County food bank! We are open 7 days a week, 11am to 5pm offering our 100% Virginia wine by the bottle, glass and tasting flights. Enjoy your visit at our intimate, meadow-like setting in rural Louisa County. we offer well-spaced indoor and outside seating and customers are welcome to bring their own picnic baskets, chairs and blankets. Children and pets are welcome, but pets must always remain outside of buildings and on a leash. Quality wine, friendly staff at a great escape! Visit our website, www.53rdwinery.com on our operating procedures. Saturday, December 18th: Live music by Luke Bobbitt December 24-25th: CLOSED

December 31-January 1st: CLOSED

Open 7 days a week, 11 am – 5 pm

DUCARD VINEYARDS

2019 XOXO Blanc de Blancs Chardonnay and expresses notes of toasted almonds, brioche and tropical fruit. Soft small bubbles delight the palate with a bright acidity and touch of minerality. Every day is a celebration, so enjoy this wine at every chance! Our uncrowded rural Madison County area has mountains, streams and plenty of beautiful views along scenic back roads. The tasting room is near hiking and biking trails along the Shenandoah National Forest and is a perfect respite after your day out! Enjoy some peace and quiet relaxation in this challenging environment. Sit on our lawns and sip or pick up a bottle or three of our award-winning wines to take home. Reservations available and recommended (especially for Saturdays). No reservation fee or minimum purchase. Walk-ups accommodated on a space-available basis. To order wine for local delivery or UPS shipping, visit our website! Open daily – Mon-Thurs. 12-5 pm Fri. 12-9 pm Sat/Sun. 12-6 pm Fridays- Friday Night out at DuCard (5:30 - 8:30 pm) come out and kick off the weekend with dinner and live music at DuCard. Saturdays- Music on the Patio (2:30 – 5:30 pm) enjoy a wide variety of artists each Saturday December 24-26th- CLOSED

January 1st- CLOSED

40 Gibson Hollow Ln • Etlan, VA 22719 (540) 923-4206 www.ducardvineyards.com

EASTWOOD FARM AND WINERY

Blancs de Blancs Happy Holidays! Celebrate this season with a glass of our sparkling brut Blanc de Blancs. Made from Virginia Chardonnay, it is dry and crisp with notes of almond and lemon zest. Delicious to enjoy with holiday meals and it also makes a great gift. Let us pop the cork on a bottle for you to enjoy with oysters this month! Salty Bottom Blue Oysters will continue to serve grilled and raw oysters at Eastwood on Fridays. Whether you are seated at a fire pit, on the Veranda or

indoors, sit back and enjoy live music on the stage in The Barn on Friday nights. Visit the winery this winter! Live music on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays throughout December. We also offer cider (hard & nonalcoholic), s’mores, wreath making workshops, paint & sip classes, yoga, events for families and kids, and more. See the upcoming calendar of events on our website for all of the details.

*New* Winery Hours: WednesdaysSaturdays (12-8 PM), Sundays (12-5 PM)

2531 Scottsville Rd. (5 mi from Downtown Charlottesville) Charlottesville, VA 22902 (434) 264-6727 www.eastwoodfarmandwinery.com

HORTON VINEYARDS

Knots & Shuttles Sparkling Tannat Red sparkling was inconceivable many years ago and it is still rare. Knots and Shuttles is Horton’s flight into red sparkling. It is a dry red wine, deep garnet color with berry aromas ad a lingering effervescent finish. Knots and Shuttles is also the last installment of the Gears & Lace, Steam Punk line of wines. It’s a perfect wine to celebrate the holidays, and pairs beautifully with hard cheeses, creamy soups, and roasted lamb. While we have a wide variety of wines to pick from, we offer different themed flights each month to highlight our wine throughout the year! Wine flights, glasses and bottles are available. To ensure time for a tasting please arrive at least 15 minutes prior to closing. Open Daily from 10 am – 5 pm Wednesdays- Wine Wednesday (77:30 pm) Join Horton Vineyards live on Facebook every Wednesday at 7pm to learn about a different wine each week!

Join us for Winter Wineland on Saturday, January 15th, 2022. We will have tastings, flights, and glasses of mulled wine available for purchase. Kaas & Cure Food Truck will be joining us with their charcuterie trays to pair with your wine. We will also be selling Horton Vineyards blankets throughout the winter. For every blanket we sell, we will be donating one to a local homeless shelter. Blue Bird Book Shop will be here selling books. Plan to stay for the day and get cozy with your wine and books in front of the fireplace in our outdoor pavilion!

KESWICK VINEYARDS

2020 LVA Chardonnay Pale yellow in color, our LVA Chardonnay has a fun and bright tone. Citrus, stone fruit, and some floral notes showcase a balanced aroma. Meanwhile, the palate has lots of bright citrus flavors making this a perfect summertime sipper on the porch. Enjoy with a variety of salads, herb roasted chicken, or an afternoon scone while enjoying the last of the summer days. Tasting Room Hours We look forward to continuing to serve all of our wonderful guests this summer during our daily hours of 10am-5pm. We offer first come, first served seating at our outdoor courtyard tables or open seating for those who wish to bring their own blankets and chairs to spread out in our designated lawn area. Wine is available by the flight, glass and bottle, and only our outdoor areas can be accessed at this time. A selection of prepackaged meats, cheeses, crackers, and spreads are available for purchase. Saturday, December 18th - Live music by Matt Johnson Saturday, December 25th - CLOSED Saturday, January 1st - CLOSED

1575 Keswick Winery Drive Keswick, VA 22947 keswickvineyards.com • (434) 244-3341

KILAURWEN WINERY

Kilaurwen Red

A bold, luscious red wine crafted from Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Touriga Nacional grapes. Structure and balance enhance this deep hued blend. Complex layers of dark cherry, tobacco, leather and almond evoke a full mouth feel that ends with a lingering spicy finish. The wine pairs well with hearty stews and soups, with grilled or smoked meats as well as with a wide range of cheeses including Mozzarella, Fontina, Gruyere and Swiss. Happy Holiday Greetings! We are sending Happy Holiday Greetings to all our friends and family who have visited the Tasting Room during this unique and challenging year. We thank you for your loyal support. We wish you a fun holiday season and a healthy, happy 2022! Although our tasting room is closed as of the end of November, our B & B, The Loft at Kilaurwen, will continue to welcome guests throughout the winter months.

1543 Evergreen Church Rd Stanardsville, VA 22973 (434) 985-2535 www.kilaurwenwinery.com

PIPPIN HILL FARM & VINEYARDS

2018 Wild Common Our Wild Common shares its name with our sister property and celebrated restaurant in Charleston, SC. The 2018 vintage is 100% Merlot, aged 20 months in a combination of neutral and new French oak barrels and lives up to the high standards set by our awardwinning 2017 vintage. The intense nose features raspberry and dark cacao, with subtle hints of fruit and spice, underscored by brooding dark cherries and fig on the palate. Medium plus tannins and medium acid make a lively finish, just like the conversation you’re enjoying across the table. *Holiday Bundle* Make sure to swing by and pick up our Holiday bundle deal! Includes our 2020 Cab Franc, 2019 Cannon Red, 2018 Petit Verdot, and 2019 Chard Reserve. Plan to visit: Pippin Hill is a culinary vineyard in the heart of Virginia’s wine country. There are two types of standard reservations available: Indoor Table or Covered Veranda for table service. Walk-ins are welcome for lawn seating. Reservations via Resy are recommended for Indoor and Veranda seating. Hours: Tuesday – Thursday: 11 am – 5 pm; Friday – Sunday: 11am to 4:30pm Sundays- Live music on the hill! Each Sunday from 1-4 PM, Pippin Hill welcomes local musicians to perform on our Veranda. Check our website for varying artists.

REYNARD FLORENCE VINEYARD

Holiday Pairing Pack

This Holiday Pairing Pack is sure to compliment any holiday dish and includes: 2019 Reynard Blanc: A crisp and zesty, white blend that pairs perfectly with turkey, mashed potatoes and green bean casserole. 2018 Ti-Rey Rosé: A bold and flavorful Rosé made from Cab Franc. A dynamic wine that pairs great with honey ham, stuffing and pumpkin pie. 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon: This fruit forward red will compliment any dish including Prime Rib, Macaroni and cheese and chocolate cake.

Visiting Reynard Florence We look forward to welcoming you to our small, cozy, and intimate winery. As you drive down our driveway, you will be greeted by our stunning mountain view. We are truly a hidden gem. Our service is warm, friendly, and you will likely have an opportunity to meet the owners and their two corgies Ti Rey and Brixie. Reservations are not required, and seating inside the tasting room is first-come-first-serve. We have lots of outdoor seating and space available on our front patio, back deck, and pergola. Umbrellas and canopies provide shelter from the sun and rain. Picnics are welcome outside! Enjoy live jazz every Sunday on the back deck from 2-5 pm. Hours: Thrus/Fri 12-5pm; Sat/Sun 11am – 5pm Open Holiday Mondays, as well as by appointment or chance! Don’t hesitate to give us a call!

16109 Burnley Rd. Barboursville, VA 22923 540.832.3895 / 434.962.1849 www.reynardflorence.com