Empire of the Vineyard

Vineyards are almost invariably located on the «sunny side» of the world. The buds, leaves, branches, roots and even the shadows of the vines provide cover, breeding grounds, food and hunting territories. In autumn, when their fruit is ripe and juicy, vineyards attract a range of animal visitors; they are a unique, lively eco-system. From microbes to insects, from birds to mammals, a surprising number of creatures are «wine enthusiasts». As it is in any kingdom, their lives are shaped by a number of different hierarchies. The battles for dominance and survival among the animals and of the vines themselves are the centrepiece of a story told with an healthy dose of humour. A range of central animal «protagonists» and the relationships between them provide the main theme of the film, which accompanies them from the first signs of new life on the vines in spring to the end of the harvest and beyond, to the harsh frosts of the winter. The film explores the unique eco-system created by the vineyard, its inhabitants and its guests as it has never been seen before.