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“Parasite” just won the SAG award for “Outstanding Performance By A Cast In A Motion Picture,” beating out the likes of such fine ensemble films as, “The Irishman,” and “Once Upon A Time In Hollywood.”

I couldn’t be happier for the complicated, wondrous film from South Korea and acclaimed directed Bong Joon-Ho (Okja, Snowpiercer), which has grossed more than 140 million dollars worldwide. It’s a well-constructed masterpiece of suspense with a big dose of guilt and realism.

“Parasite” tells the story of a family of modern-day grifters living near the bottom of the economic scale and their slow-burning relationship with a wealthy family living near the top.

What conspires over the next two hours plays like a “Twilight Zone” episode of the haves and have nots as the grifters manipulate and scheme their way into the upper class with not an ounce of empathy. It’s only a matter of time before all hell breaks loose, basement bunker surprises appear, and a violent Opera-Esque ending begins to reveal what is really going on.

I can’t stop thinking about “Parasite,” it’s a remarkable cast, it’s world-class director, and the images that keep spinning in my head.

Sometimes going to the movies can be a dangerously satisfying experience.

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In the early 1970s, a young South Koean man, Hi Sang Lee, was visiting the United States on an extended business trip. On his twenty-seventh birthday a friend introduced him to wine. Their $20 splurge was for Lee’s very first taste of any alcohol, a 1970 first-growth Bordeaux. (I wish I had a first growth Bordeaux for $20!)

 

From that sip, a passion began leading him eventually to begin Dana Estates in Napa Valley, focusing on single-vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon driven wines expressing the character of Napa Valley. Dana Estates offers the Helms Vineyard, Hershey Vineyard, and Lotus Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, with esteemed winemaker, Philippe Melka serving as consulting winemaker. They are insanely delicious wines.

A few years ago, Vaso Cellars began as a second, introductory tier, from the same prestigious vineyards for Dana Estates. On Howell Mountain, a tiny parcel of Sauvignon Blanc grows in the Hershey Vineyard, giving the winery the ability to make a gorgeous, Bordeaux style white wine. Aged slowly in neutral French oak and concrete eggs, over 18 months, the balanced wine melds crème brulee, lemon curd, and honeysuckle with bright acidity, giving you a layered, luscious wine.