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  • Backyard movie screen and pillows

As the summer evenings grow warmer, there’s no better way to enjoy the season than by setting up your own outdoor cinema. Create a magical movie night under the stars with our tips, culinary-themed film suggestions and pairings.

Setting Up Your Outdoor Cinema

  1. Choose the Right Projector: A good projector is the heart of your outdoor cinema. We recommend the Anker Nebula Capsule. Highly rated and portable, it offers excellent picture quality and built-in speakers for a complete outdoor cinema experience.

  2. Find the Ideal Location: To ensure the best viewing experience, look for a flat area in your backyard or patio free from obstructions and ambient light. Stage your projector near a power source or run an outdoor extension cord to provide continuous power.

  3. Setting Up the Screen: You don’t need a fancy screen to enjoy a movie outdoors. A simple white sheet can do the trick. Secure it tightly to avoid wrinkles that can distort the picture. Alternatively, you can purchase an affordable outdoor projector screen from retailers like Amazon.

  4. Comfortable Seating: Consider bringing an area rug outside to create your “theater” before adding blankets and throw pillows, bean bags, or lawn chairs. This can help define the space, keep extension cords tucked away, and mitigate creepy crawlies.

  5. Natural Mosquito Repellents: Keep the mosquitoes at bay with natural repellents by lighting citronella candles or spraying a solution of lemon eucalyptus around the area or apply the oil directly to the skin. Mosquitoes are weak fliers, so setting up a few fans around the seating area can also help keep them away.

Inspo Photo by Andee Layne.

Culinary-Themed Movie Night

A culinary-themed movie is always a winning choice and sets the stage for a delicious food and wine pairing.

  1. Big Night (1996): This classic film tells the story of two Italian immigrant brothers running a New Jersey restaurant – a feast for the eyes and the soul. Pair it with our berry-laden Avant-Garde Pinot Noir and Margherita Pizza. For more details, follow our summer pizza and wine pairing guide.

  2. Julie & Julia (2009): Follow the intertwined stories of Julia Child’s early culinary career and Julie Powell’s challenge to cook all 524 recipes in Child’s cookbook in a year. Pair with our classic Estate Brut, a brunch anytime classic Quiche Lorraine and a summer green salad.

  3. Chef (2014): After a public altercation with a food critic, a chef starts a food truck business in this heartwarming movie. Pair with our plush, sophisticated Brut Rosé and Cuban Sandwiches.

  4. Ratatouille (2007): This animated film about a rat who dreams of becoming a great chef in Paris is a charming tale for all ages. Pair with our sunny Avant-Garde Rosé and Salad Niçoise.

Our Summer Sipping Case features all four of these crowd-pleasing wines — so why not host a summer cinema series!