Upamanyu Biswas
Hallmark’s ‘Paris, Wine & Romance’ revolves around Isabella, an ambitious Oregon winemaker who wants to make her mark globally by taking her business to the international scene. As such, Isabella travels to Paris to participate in a prestigious wine competition. There, Isabella meets Jacques, a charming winemaker, who is her biggest rival in the competition. He is impressed by her expertise in winemaking, sparking a blossoming romance between the two. The Alex Zamm directorial spans a variety of stunning locales, which provide an endearing backdrop as the drama between the two characters unfolds on screen. It captures the essence of their newfound relationship and the attraction they feel for one another, allowing for a memorable setting that feels vibrant and authentic.
Where Was Paris, Wine & Romance Filmed?
‘Paris, Wine & Romance’ was filmed in the city of Paris, France, and some regions in Bulgaria, specifically Sofia and Mogilovo. The two European countries provided a dreamy and stunning backdrop for much of the romance drama, offering an intimate setting where emotional character moments could be brought to life. Principal photography on the project took place between March and April 2019. A large chunk of the movie revolves around winemaking, which conjures images of sunny environments, which are abundantly present across the filming sites chosen by the production team. It helped ground the story in a level of realism while also ensuring that a bit of magic still pervaded every scene between characters, fleshing out the central themes even further.
Paris, France
Filming for ‘Paris, Wine & Romance’ primarily took place in the historical and iconic neighborhoods of Paris, France’s capital. The city is world-renowned for its beautiful architecture and is steeped in European history. It is also a place where art, culture, and creative ventures thrive, including a passion for finer things in life, which extends to winemaking. The film crew recorded some key scenes at the Petit Palais at Avenue Winston Churchill, 75008. It is an art museum constructed for the 1900 Exposition Universelle and situated close to the majestic Grand Palais. However, today, the establishment hosts the City of Paris Museum of Fine Arts. It is likely that the shooting also took place at the Pont Alexandre III, a bridge that spans across the River Seine.
Sofia, Bulgaria
The production team also lensed a few pivotal scenes in Bulgaria’s capital city, Sofia. It is most noted for its historical architecture, which blends a multitude of styles from different eras and civilizations. As such, the production on ‘Paris, Wine & Romance’ would have enjoyed filming their scenes in the city, especially as it offers an array of landmark locations, which include Vitosha Boulevard, Patriarchal Cathedral St. Alexander Nevsky, Boyana Church, and the National Palace of Culture. These eye-catching sites are another way to add more magic to a story that involves falling in love in a picturesque European city. In the past, Sofia has hosted productions on popular films and shows like ‘Euphoria,’ ‘300: Rise of an Empire,’ and ‘Barbarian.’
Mogilovo, Bulgaria
Another important filming location in ‘Paris, Wine & Romance’ was the village of Mogilovo in Bulgaria. The region is separated from Sofia by over 100 miles. Filming took place at the Midalidare Estate at 6239 Mogilovo. It is a winery situated in one of Bulgaria’s most renowned winemaking areas. In the film, it likely doubles up as Isabella’s family-owned Oregon winery, setting up a more authentic environment for the fictional aspects of the story.
Paris, Wine & Romance Cast Details
‘Paris, Wine & Romance’ is led by Jen Lilley and Dan Jeannotte, whose performances breathe life into the film, alongside other supporting roles. They are both Hallmark veterans and have played a diverse range of characters through the years, including some appearances in popular movies and shows. Interestingly, the latter has also spread his wings in the video game industry, receiving acclaim and recognition for providing the motion capture and voice performance for Arno Dorian, the main character in Ubisoft’s ‘Assassin’s Creed: Unity.’
Jen Lilley as Isabella
Jen Lilley stars as Isabella, an enthusiastic winemaker determined to bring her wine business to the global market. She is a talented actress known for playing Theresa Donovan in ‘Days of Our Lives,’ Kate in ‘The Spirit of Christmas,’ and Emma in ‘Paris Christmas Waltz,’ and a supporting character in ‘The Artist,’ a French romantic film that created waves at the 84th Academy Awards. Her other credits include ‘Chicago Med,’ ‘Royally Wrapped for Christmas,’ and ‘The Wedding Do Over.’
Dan Jeannotte as Jacques
Starring opposite Jen Lilley is Dan Jeannotte as the charming French winemaker, Jacques, who falls in love with Isabella. Jeannotte is notably recognized for his part as Brandon Russell in ‘Good Witch,’ Ryan Decker in ‘The Bold Type,’ James Stuart in ‘Reign,’ and Lieutenant Sam Kirk in ‘Star Trek: Strange New Worlds.’ The actor can also be seen in ‘Love on The Danube Royal Getaway,’ ‘Falling in Love in Niagara,’ ‘Ghosts of Christmas Past,’ and ‘Christmas in the Highlands.’
Roxanne McKee as Lacey
Versatile actress Roxanne McKee plays Lacey in the Hallmark movie. She is best known for playing Doreah in HBO’s ‘Game of Thrones,’ the handmaiden of Daenerys Targaryen. She also stars as Louise Summers in ‘Hollyoaks,’ Lady Claire Riesen in ‘Dominion,’ Queen Alcmene in ‘The Legend of Hercules,’ and Lou Foster in BBC Three’s ‘Lip Service.’ Other notable credits include ‘Strike Back,’ ‘Picture Perfect Royal Christmas,’ ‘Pandora,’ and ‘Vendetta.’
‘Paris, Wine & Romance’ also features Michael D. Xavier as Maurice, Lolita Davidovich as Margot, Greg Canestrari as Travis, Pierre Rousselet as Phillipe, Alexandra Guelff as Christina, Maxim De Villiers as Luc, and Charlie Anson as Jonathan. Joining them are Edward Baker-Duly as Anton, Atanas Srebrev as Henri, Kitodar Todorov as Pierre, Sava Dragunchev as Planner, and Rob Kelty as Mick.
Read More: It Was Always You: Filming Locations and Cast Details
