To all those negative nancies on IMDb; chill bro. It's a bit of fun. It's like wine. Sometimes sickly sweet, sometimes dry. But always fruity. Don't expect Academy Awards, more a secret fantasy where we'd all like to own a winery. He acting is good. The cast excellent. And it's fun. End of. Just enjoy.
35 Reviews
Fun and charming
M0vieL0ver1 January 2022
Not a comedy, but as a drama, it's above average
trademarcdesigns30 December 2021
First of all, I would not describe this show as a comedy; it's more of a lighthearted drama. The premise - a buttoned-down lawyer from London and a pampered party girl from Sidney forced to work together to keep a venture (in this case a vineyard) they jointly inherited from going under, is not new. And I think we all know where this is going.
The acting is competent, the main characters are interesting and likable - which is important if we are to become invested in their success - and the minor characters are quirky in a relatable way. There's a bit of "Green Acres" going on here - including a talking pig - along with a few very real, very contemporary underpinnings, like the emerging New Zealand wine industry. And speaking of New Zealand, the settings are gorgeous.
The one drawback is the lack of any real comedy. I am a huge fan of New Zealand humor, so it's not as if it's there but I just don't get it; the show is falling short of the mark. There are no LOL moments, and only a very occasional snigger or two. This isn't necessarily a bad thing - as a light drama, the show is quite good, but since it was billed as a comedy, it can't fail to disappoint on that score.
Bottom line - if you like the light romantic dramas shown on the Hallmark channel, you'll like this. But if you were expecting What We Do in the Shadows, you'll come away scratching your head.
The acting is competent, the main characters are interesting and likable - which is important if we are to become invested in their success - and the minor characters are quirky in a relatable way. There's a bit of "Green Acres" going on here - including a talking pig - along with a few very real, very contemporary underpinnings, like the emerging New Zealand wine industry. And speaking of New Zealand, the settings are gorgeous.
The one drawback is the lack of any real comedy. I am a huge fan of New Zealand humor, so it's not as if it's there but I just don't get it; the show is falling short of the mark. There are no LOL moments, and only a very occasional snigger or two. This isn't necessarily a bad thing - as a light drama, the show is quite good, but since it was billed as a comedy, it can't fail to disappoint on that score.
Bottom line - if you like the light romantic dramas shown on the Hallmark channel, you'll like this. But if you were expecting What We Do in the Shadows, you'll come away scratching your head.
A Series That Finds It's Heart
laurelhagen10 January 2022
The first episode just introduces the characters of a rundown vineyard and it's new owners. As the series progresses it begins to show how the two main characters, Daisy and Louis, begin new friendships with people who are strikingly different than themselves. Gone are their days of pretenses and privilege, now they must finally "grow up" and along the way find out what really matters in life. If your looking for a fun little show with heart set in beautiful rural New Zealand this is it.
Uplifting!
pauldeg-3797115 January 2022
Wonderful, uplifting little series showcasing the strong acting skills of the well known main characters but also intrducing us to some of the wonderful new talent certain to grace our screens. Rebecca Gibney is the glue that holds all this together.
Light, almost enjoyable, mired in fake romantic tension
jeffdstockton27 February 2023
Yes, it's typical and formulaic, but the actors do a good with the less-than-excellent writing. If you accept for the lightweight rimp that it is (essentially), you can find enough enjoyment.
A big problem is that the writers and directors entend the romantic tension - which actually develops nicely in the beginning - far too long. The characters become annoying and inconsistent with how they've been portrayed - how viewers have come to know them - as they make the same incredibly stupid mistakes again and again. The crime, here, is how the writers, directors and producers treat their audience. The contrivances, improbabilities and authorial manipulations become worse and worse, and insult as well as frustrate loyal fans.
Each episode of the 2nd season gets worse and worse. More and more characters do stupid things. Then, at the end of the season, the chaos that has obviously come to rule the producers and writers shows itself in full bloom as they pull out the worst off-the-shelf contrivance thus far in the series. And, it comes in literally the last minute of the 2nd season. So, viewers are left with an even greater sense of betrayal by the producers and writers, and will have to wait and unknown period of time to find out if the series will return, and if so, when.
It took me a couple episodes to accept Under the Vines on its own terms, and I enjoyed it, mostly, up to the 3rd episode, or so, of the 2nd season. It just gets worse and worse and worse. The writers seem to have nothing to offer; they recycle various off-the-shelf tripe/ dramady tripe, and lose any sense of real direction.
Too bad. This could have been getting better, instead of getting worse.
A big problem is that the writers and directors entend the romantic tension - which actually develops nicely in the beginning - far too long. The characters become annoying and inconsistent with how they've been portrayed - how viewers have come to know them - as they make the same incredibly stupid mistakes again and again. The crime, here, is how the writers, directors and producers treat their audience. The contrivances, improbabilities and authorial manipulations become worse and worse, and insult as well as frustrate loyal fans.
Each episode of the 2nd season gets worse and worse. More and more characters do stupid things. Then, at the end of the season, the chaos that has obviously come to rule the producers and writers shows itself in full bloom as they pull out the worst off-the-shelf contrivance thus far in the series. And, it comes in literally the last minute of the 2nd season. So, viewers are left with an even greater sense of betrayal by the producers and writers, and will have to wait and unknown period of time to find out if the series will return, and if so, when.
It took me a couple episodes to accept Under the Vines on its own terms, and I enjoyed it, mostly, up to the 3rd episode, or so, of the 2nd season. It just gets worse and worse and worse. The writers seem to have nothing to offer; they recycle various off-the-shelf tripe/ dramady tripe, and lose any sense of real direction.
Too bad. This could have been getting better, instead of getting worse.
Charming
lizlindsay201031 December 2021
Not really a comedy, but very engaging with likeable characters, There is easy humour and the two main characters have a good chemistry but there is room to have them find more conflict between them. Love the scenery backdrop and can't wait for another season.
Makes a nice change of pace from heavier fare.
Makes a nice change of pace from heavier fare.
Stop trying to be funny
annamariadidio3 February 2023
Vines is different enough to keep me entertained - definitely not a comedy. That's why the joke in Episode 3 about John Lennon's murder was completely crass and unnecessary. Here we have a cast member who cannot even say the word menopause, another was thrown out of London, a third has sexuality issues (and on and on) - but you choose to jest about the killing of a music icon for a cheap yuk? Make fun of other issues - there is plenty of material with this crazy cast. Please do not stoop so low for laughs-it ruins the sincere vibe of the show. There are some very worthy themes that I enjoy watching. Keep the story on track - raise you laugh bar!
Witty, heartwarming, engaging series
mahoneya5 January 2022
A great lift your spirit's!
ruthiekock5 January 2022
I loved everything about this show. The characters, story, and the music. After having to isolate due to Covid-19 this show was so refreshing. Living in the US and visiting the well dressed Napa Valley in California, it's fun to see the grit of a vineyard.
Offensive rubbish
andrewrye-065351 January 2022
Warning: Spoilers
The story line looked ok if unoriginal but with a local flavour.
Throwing 2 people from different backgrounds together in a setting they aren't familiar with has been done dozens of times before. So I didn't expect anything original but the setting and theme should have made this watchable, it didn't.
For a start its not a comedy and tries far too hard to be one. No laugh out loud moments or even a giggle, just cringe worthy scenes that fail miserably. Watch Rebecca Gibney's character stumble about in Gucci or Jimmy Choos while working in the vineyard. Why?
A note to non-New Zealanders. Kiwis do not talk like this or act like this outside these types of programmes. It was offensive that every local excluding the rich winery owners trying to buy the vineyard were portrayed as simple country folk. A lawyer who doesn't know what 'sole heir' means and says he should have faxed details. And picks up the 2 main characters in what looks like a 1980's bench seat ute. Really? Que unfunny uncomfortable lame jokes. Two orchard workers who don't seem to have a brain between them but we'll make the Maori girl the bright one and the wooly haired buff white guy the simple one. A builder who's a big Maori bloke who gets all torn and emotional when he is rebuffed by Rebecca Gibney's character after a one night stand. A local woman who says Í'll have to look up some of those big words' while planning a garage sale. Sorry, 'Pop Up Boutique'. And a bank manager who bawls over a turkey who dies. This may have worked in the 1970s but today it's just offensive and makes NZers look stupid. I thought we'd moved on from stereo typical characters, apparently not.
Its a 2, one for each episode I managed to get through. Avoid this crap at all costs.
Throwing 2 people from different backgrounds together in a setting they aren't familiar with has been done dozens of times before. So I didn't expect anything original but the setting and theme should have made this watchable, it didn't.
For a start its not a comedy and tries far too hard to be one. No laugh out loud moments or even a giggle, just cringe worthy scenes that fail miserably. Watch Rebecca Gibney's character stumble about in Gucci or Jimmy Choos while working in the vineyard. Why?
A note to non-New Zealanders. Kiwis do not talk like this or act like this outside these types of programmes. It was offensive that every local excluding the rich winery owners trying to buy the vineyard were portrayed as simple country folk. A lawyer who doesn't know what 'sole heir' means and says he should have faxed details. And picks up the 2 main characters in what looks like a 1980's bench seat ute. Really? Que unfunny uncomfortable lame jokes. Two orchard workers who don't seem to have a brain between them but we'll make the Maori girl the bright one and the wooly haired buff white guy the simple one. A builder who's a big Maori bloke who gets all torn and emotional when he is rebuffed by Rebecca Gibney's character after a one night stand. A local woman who says Í'll have to look up some of those big words' while planning a garage sale. Sorry, 'Pop Up Boutique'. And a bank manager who bawls over a turkey who dies. This may have worked in the 1970s but today it's just offensive and makes NZers look stupid. I thought we'd moved on from stereo typical characters, apparently not.
Its a 2, one for each episode I managed to get through. Avoid this crap at all costs.
Dramady
lanangnian3 January 2022
Fantastic
Benjamin-holstebroe19 January 2022
Fabulous show
roeannfulkerson15 January 2022
An Escape for All The Right Reasons
dmoorejdrf23 May 2022
This is the type of feel good TV series that takes you away from the many sad things going on around us! Very well written and equally as well acted. It was perfectly cast. The amazingly talented Rebecca Gibney is at her very best. I became a fan several years ago, knowing that she'd bring respect to most anything she stars in, she's the draw. And through this I've gotten the opportunity to see Charles Edwards in a role that he defines. He plays his part perfectly and is a very nice compliment to Rebecca and her character. The supporting cast are ALL right on the money. Each actor has embraced his/her character perfectly. They are believable and they are charismatic and they are fun to spend time with. I also applaud the writers, directors and producers for collaborating to ensure they give us a great story, great characters and great actors. I cannot wait to see what they have in story for us in season two!!
Character-driven romantic comedy
ramiestudio7 January 2022
This lighthearted series is a character-driven romantic comedy set in a fictional town in southern New Zealand's beautiful Otago wine country, offering up quirky characters living in a wine region with its own 'law of the land' and 'rules of the road' for the self-indulgent Brit lawyer (Charles Edwards) and Aussie socialite (Rebecca Gibney), each denying their own eccentric mid-life challenges, to navigate.
Of course, inheriting the vineyard of the late Stanley Oakley does not meet the two outsiders' expectations nor does it fix their personal issues - rather compounding and exasperating them instead - adjusting to being its reluctant joint 'sole-owners' is the new journey they find themselves on. Each cast members' character arc provide for some unexpected surprises, both humorous and touching.
Similar but different from its predecessors like Northern Exposure to 800 Words series, Under the Vines' difference is in the romance of the vines with its enveloping surroundings and night skies make for an easy-going and satisfying weekly tasting.
Of course, inheriting the vineyard of the late Stanley Oakley does not meet the two outsiders' expectations nor does it fix their personal issues - rather compounding and exasperating them instead - adjusting to being its reluctant joint 'sole-owners' is the new journey they find themselves on. Each cast members' character arc provide for some unexpected surprises, both humorous and touching.
Similar but different from its predecessors like Northern Exposure to 800 Words series, Under the Vines' difference is in the romance of the vines with its enveloping surroundings and night skies make for an easy-going and satisfying weekly tasting.
English tripe
berkinet12 August 2023
Fortunately, the characters are interesting enough that you can waste 45 minutes watching this thing without feeling like you've been too badly abused. However, any idea that this is a kiwi series should be suspended immediately this series is no more about New Zealand than French Fields was about France. This is an English sitcom, or maybe romantic comedy who knows. But it is very much a TV show in the English vein. Shallow characters, hackneyed situations, loads of clichés, and predictable outcomes. On the other hand, the scenery is beautiful and the cinematography well done. So, while this show may insult your brain, at least it won't insult your eyes.
Exactly what I've been needing...
suzpomz9 January 2022
Some have written nasty, unfriendly reviews - that's THEIR opinion. But I found it fun, interesting, light-hearted, with some interesting twists and turns, and exactly what I have been needing for the past two years of no work, no income, no fun!
Besides Rebecca Gibney is one of my favorite Aussie actors... so how could I say no?
Bring on Season 2 and soon, please.......
Besides Rebecca Gibney is one of my favorite Aussie actors... so how could I say no?
Bring on Season 2 and soon, please.......
Fun Romp
cleopatra-8801928 March 2022
Enjoyable
hazangel-8991028 February 2022
I was unsure at first but as the episodes moved along, this series really grew on me. It has heart and is very endearing. I enjoyed all of the characters. I think a second series will be great. I do hope the two main characters do not get together romantically. I think they would make better friends. I watched this marathon style and enjoyed it to bits!
Light drama & easy on the eye
leutele17 February 2022
Absolutely loved it. I read about it when it was in production and was really looking forward to watching it because of the actors involved and knew the scenery would be beautiful. I haven't been disappointed. The acting is superb, some quirky charactors always make for something a bit different. Would love to see a second series.
Sympathetic yet quirky
mdwah2 April 2023
Loved this show.
I confess I'm a kiwi, and therefore "got" the humor and timing However pretty certain that the humor and sentiment are universal
Liked the uneasy pauses, the sympathetic timing, and quirky scriptwriting Great collection of characters, none of whom are predictable hackneyed nor caricatures Especially the quirky scriptwriting .plots which are original Lovely absence of good nor bad guys Must have been so much fun to act in. Certainly NOT Downton Abbey.
Soundtrack congruent to the scenery and perfect lack of violins and kettle drums.
Also liked the scenery, and the longish shot timing which give it that languid feel Excellent sunday night viewing.
I confess I'm a kiwi, and therefore "got" the humor and timing However pretty certain that the humor and sentiment are universal
Liked the uneasy pauses, the sympathetic timing, and quirky scriptwriting Great collection of characters, none of whom are predictable hackneyed nor caricatures Especially the quirky scriptwriting .plots which are original Lovely absence of good nor bad guys Must have been so much fun to act in. Certainly NOT Downton Abbey.
Soundtrack congruent to the scenery and perfect lack of violins and kettle drums.
Also liked the scenery, and the longish shot timing which give it that languid feel Excellent sunday night viewing.
Garbage
gailmck-6222427 January 2022
Very pleasing
tlahey115 February 2023
I love this show. There is no violence, no great special effects - just the kind of series I like to watch. Great characters that grow in complexity with each episode. Excellent acting and cliffhanger plots that keep me wanting more. It's like my favorite pie, strawberry-rhubarb, sweet and tart and each piece leaves me feeling very satisfied.
The show is certainly helped by the great setting on the South Island of New Zealand. I don't know whether the characters sound or act like New Zealanders - come to think of it, the two main characters aren't New Zealanders, Daisy is Australian and Louis is English but most everyone is good-hearted even if, like all of us, they sometimes make mistakes. I also like the use of Maori characters and actors.
The show is certainly helped by the great setting on the South Island of New Zealand. I don't know whether the characters sound or act like New Zealanders - come to think of it, the two main characters aren't New Zealanders, Daisy is Australian and Louis is English but most everyone is good-hearted even if, like all of us, they sometimes make mistakes. I also like the use of Maori characters and actors.
Funny and realistic
camden-3529527 January 2023
Any problem that can happen happens but you have to cheer for the underdog especially in the first season. Season 2 has a lot of situational antagonistic storyline so there is some natural tension in both seasons. Personally I think this is one of the best comedy dramas I've watched in a long time because the dialogue is light-hearted but the subjects that they're dealing with that are serious don't come off as just thrown together or inappropriate for the storyline.
The two lead characters have really great chemistry at least as it appears on the screen. And the character named Tippy is absolutely hysterical with her faces. She rarely says a word and she doesn't have to and she really makes the scenes that she's in. In season 2 for example she's trying to teach them how to cut Vines and I'll be darned if every time she tries to show them somebody else leaves or walks away or there's some kind of drama happening. You have to wonder how she puts up with these two that are leading the vineyard.
There are lots of side stories to follow but they all seem to have natural story lines like pregnancy comma relationships and the dialogue doesn't feel forced in any situation period in fact the dialogue often is funny but it feels more naturally funny than staged period very very natural and fun!
The two lead characters have really great chemistry at least as it appears on the screen. And the character named Tippy is absolutely hysterical with her faces. She rarely says a word and she doesn't have to and she really makes the scenes that she's in. In season 2 for example she's trying to teach them how to cut Vines and I'll be darned if every time she tries to show them somebody else leaves or walks away or there's some kind of drama happening. You have to wonder how she puts up with these two that are leading the vineyard.
There are lots of side stories to follow but they all seem to have natural story lines like pregnancy comma relationships and the dialogue doesn't feel forced in any situation period in fact the dialogue often is funny but it feels more naturally funny than staged period very very natural and fun!
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