Central Otago is Beautiful

This is the fifth episode in Series 2. Rex has done his research on his campervan trip around NZ (thanks to Maryann at Pacific Horizon Campervan Rentals (https://pacifichorizon.co.nz/). Rex is madly typing away and averaging 2,000 words a day and just hit 50,000 words. He's based at Prophet's Rock near Lake Dunstan. This is, potentially, a controversial episode. It's always dangerous to trade and discuss generalisms, but Rex and Youie push the boat out there to get a discussion going on Rex's and occasionally Youie's take on the differences between living in the USA and in NZ. Rex has been in NZ for five months and has lived in and visited a number of cities around NZ so has formed an early view. The topics covered off include the differences between the people as observed by Rex, his comments on rugby (versus American football), the airports and planes, hotel rooms, food and shopping, driving in NZ, and finally the cost of living, in particular, the cost of rent and living. During this podcast, Rex shares an almost unbelievable story about how the local police responded to his missing surfing board. You've got to hear it to believe it. Rex would love to hear your thoughts on his views, from both sides, an American or a New Zealander.  Have you got a question to ask Rex about wine, all things Sideways (the books, the movie, the musical, the podcast, or the play)? Then please write to him on [email protected]. You'll get your question read out and you'll be famous for 15 seconds. If you're in Auckland in October 2022, why not come out and meet Rex? He'll be at Winetopia on Friday October 28 and Saturday October 29 at Shed 10 in Auckland. Check out the details on (https://www.winetopia.co.nz/auckland-2022) . Come along and taste the range of Sideways wines too! We'd love to see you there and Rex would love it if you were there to talk movies, books, and anything else. Why not subscribe to the podcast? Here's the RSS feed for you to click on, https://anchor.fm/s/7829a34c/podcast/rss or alternatively, search for 'Sideways The Life of Wine' on Spotify, Apple, Google, Podcast Addict, or any good podcast player out there. The Sideways wine collection (handpicked by Rex Pickett) is now on sale, so please head to https://www.blackmarket.co.nz/promo/sideways-wines-feature or www.158.co.nz and taste the movie! This is just a reminder that this episode comes with a content warning and is created for adult audiences only. We advise listener and reader discretion for the adult themes and language mentioned on this podcast. Produced by 158 Limited.

This is the fourth episode in Series 2. Rex has done his research on his campervan trip around NZ (thanks to Maryann at Pacific Horizon Campervan Rentals (https://pacifichorizon.co.nz/). Rex is madly typing away and averaging 2,000 words a day and just hit 40,000 words. He's based at Prophet's Rock near Lake Dunstan. We're back in Sideways territory in a very strong way. In this episode, Rex allows Youie to put on his best fanboy suit and ask questions about the new book  - still not completed, of course - without any notice to Rex. The ensuing conversation covers off all sorts of questions and points including whether both Miles and Jack make a comeback; whether there any new characters in the book; whether something happened between Miles and Maya in the end; to what extent much of the new book is based on real events in Napier, Featherston, Wellington, Central Otago, Christchurch and Oamaru; whether there are any big comedic moments in the new novel; the trajectory of relationships in this novel between Miles and the other characters; and what's the overall psychological mood of the new novel. Discussions touch on the Cougars of Christchurch and the Tough Guys of Oamaru. Along the way, Rex makes some exclusive revelations on an attempt by others to make a TV series based on Sideways which Rex is clearly still bitter about. Things get a little edgy between Rex and Youie for the first time in the podcasts when discussing this topic. Rex and Youie then talk about the role of the haka and the powhiri and Rex's desire to set a scene in a high school (known as college in New Zealand). Rex and Youie have always welcomed questions to the show but this is the first and possibly last time Rex is inviting ideas and suggestions as to what you'd love to see in the new novel. This is pretty special, so if you are motivated by this, then make sure you send the message to [email protected].   Have you got a question to ask Rex about wine, all things Sideways (the books, the movie, the musical, the podcast, or the play)? Then please write to him on [email protected]. You'll get your question read out and you'll be famous for 15 seconds. If you're in Auckland in October 2022, why not come out and meet Rex? He'll be at Winetopia on Friday October 28 and Saturday October 29 at Shed 10 in Auckland. Check out the details on (https://www.winetopia.co.nz/auckland-2022) . Come along and taste the range of Sideways wines too! We'd love to see you there and Rex would love it if you were there to talk movies, books, and anything else. Why not subscribe to the podcast? Here's the RSS feed for you to click on, https://anchor.fm/s/7829a34c/podcast/rss or alternatively, search for 'Sideways The Life of Wine' on Spotify, Apple, Google, Podcast Addict, or any good podcast player out there. The Sideways wine collection (handpicked by Rex Pickett) is now on sale, so please head to https://www.blackmarket.co.nz/promo/sideways-wines-feature or www.158.co.nz and taste the movie! This is just a reminder that this episode comes with a content warning and is created for adult audiences only. We advise listener and reader discretion for the adult themes and language mentioned on this podcast. Produced by 158 Limited.

This is the third episode in Series 2. Rex has done his research on his campervan trip around NZ (thanks to Maryann at Pacific Horizon Campervan Rentals (https://pacifichorizon.co.nz/). Rex is madly typing away and averaging 2,000 words a day and just hit 35,000 words. He's based at Prophet's Rock near Lake Dunstan. This is a 'sideways' movement to the left where we talk to Rex about his latest novel 'The Archivist' (get it now online or ask for it at your favourite bookstore). Rex talks to Youie about the plot and storyline on the book, how it's based on real events and set in a real library (the Geisel in San Diego), his views on reading and its possible decline, the reaction he's received to the book, a random comment about cheesecake (!), and most interestingly, the recent well timed release of the book onto American politics. The AOTUS (The Archivist of the United States) even gets a mention. So, please listen to this podcast and then buy and read the book or buy and read the book and then listen to the podcast, you choose.  Have you got a question to ask Rex about wine, all things Sideways (the books, the movie, the musical, the podcast, or the play)? Then please write to him on [email protected]. You'll get your question read out and you'll be famous for 15 seconds. If you're in Auckland in October 2022, why not come out and meet Rex? He'll be at Winetopia on Friday October 28 and Saturday October 29 at Shed 10 in Auckland. Check out the details on (https://www.winetopia.co.nz/auckland-2022) . Come along and taste the range of Sideways wines too! We'd love to see you there and Rex would love it if you were there to talk movies, books, and anything else. Why not subscribe to the podcast? Here's the RSS feed for you to click on, https://anchor.fm/s/7829a34c/podcast/rss or alternatively, search for 'Sideways The Life of Wine' on Spotify, Apple, Google, Podcast Addict, or any good podcast player out there. The Sideways wine collection (handpicked by Rex Pickett) is now on sale, so please head to https://www.blackmarket.co.nz/promo/sideways-wines-feature or www.158.co.nz and taste the movie! This is just a reminder that this episode comes with a content warning and is created for adult audiences only. We advise listener and reader discretion for the adult themes and language mentioned on this podcast. Produced by 158 Limited.

This is the second episode in Series 2. Rex has done his research on his campervan trip around NZ (thanks to Maryann at Pacific Horizon Campervan Rentals (https://pacifichorizon.co.nz/). Rex is madly typing away and averaging 2,000 words a day! He's now based at Prophet's Rock near Lake Dunstan. In this second half episode to Part 1 released last week, Rex continues to talk to Youie about an assortment of topics and in this half of the discussion, we talk about independent book stores, a book club on Mt. Pleasant, book signings, some dramatic journeys Rex has had in NZ, smuggling drugs, lots about Featherston and the Booktown concept, Emma Patene, some important news about Jack (!), Rex's views on Ben Hurley - a well known NZ comedian, Christchurch Winetopia, some big news on the new book, Sideways NZ, and finally the word of the podcast 'pulchritude'.  From here, we should be able to get out a new podcast slightly more frequently than 1 a week. Have you got a question to ask Rex about wine, all things Sideways (the books, the movie, the musical, the podcast, or the play)? Then please write to him on [email protected]. You'll get your question read out and you'll be famous for 15 seconds.  If you're in Auckland in October 2022, why not come out and meet Rex? He'll be at Winetopia on Friday October 28 and Saturday October 29 at Shed 10 in Auckland. Check out the details on (https://www.winetopia.co.nz/auckland-2022) . Come along and taste the range of Sideways wines too! We'd love to see you there and Rex would love it if you were there to talk movies, books, and anything else. Why not subscribe to the podcast? Here's the RSS feed for you to click on, https://anchor.fm/s/7829a34c/podcast/rss or alternatively, search for 'Sideways The Life of Wine' on Spotify, Apple, Google, Podcast Addict, or any good podcast player out there. The Sideways wine collection (handpicked by Rex Pickett) is now on sale, so please head to https://www.blackmarket.co.nz/promo/sideways-wines-feature or www.158.co.nz and taste the movie! This is just a reminder that this episode comes with a content warning and is created for adult audiences only. We advise listener and reader discretion for the adult themes and language mentioned on this podcast. Produced by 158 Limited.

Hello everyone and welcome to Series 2. There's been a long break between episodes to allow Rex to do his research on his campervan trip around NZ (thanks to Maryann at Pacific Horizon Campervan Rentals (https://pacifichorizon.co.nz/). We've also given Rex a break as he commences writing Sideways NZ: The Road Back (still a working title) and he's been doing it at a rate of 2,000 words per day.  In this new episode to kick off Series 2, Rex talks to Youie about an assortment of topics almost too numerous to mention. He talks about how NZ has changed him, his views of New Zealand compared to the USA, the many examples of honesty he has been witness and party to, the performance of the All Blacks (the NZ Rugby Team), his views on NZ in Winter, his experiences so far on his research trip in the Campervan, his experiences with the book clubs along the way, but most excitingly of all he reveals a fair bit of the plot of the new book without giving away clues as to the overall story.  And the best thing is it's only half the recording! Look out for Part 2 very soon. If you're in Auckland, why not come out and meet Rex? He'll be at Winetopia on Friday October 28 and Saturday October 29 at Shed 10 in Auckland. Check out the details on (https://www.winetopia.co.nz/auckland-2022) . Come along and taste the range of Sideways wines too! We'd love to see you there and Rex would love it if you were there to talk movies, books, and anything else. Why not subscribe to the podcast? Here's the RSS feed for you to click on, https://anchor.fm/s/7829a34c/podcast/rss or alternatively, search for 'Sideways The Life of Wine' on Spotify, Apple, Google, Podcast Addict, or any good podcast player out there. The Sideways wine collection (handpicked by Rex Pickett) is now on sale, so please head to https://www.blackmarket.co.nz/promo/sideways-wines-feature or www.158.co.nz and taste the movie! Have you got a question to ask Rex about wine, all things Sideways (the books, the movie, the musical, the podcast, or the play)? Then please write to him on [email protected] This is just a reminder that this episode comes with a content warning and is created for adult audiences only. We advise listener and reader discretion for the adult themes and language mentioned on this podcast. Produced by 158 Limited.

A thousand apologies from Rex and I for the back and forth as to what this episode should be titled and what content it should have in it. We started out with best intentions to talk about the wines, wineries, and winemakers of Central Otago but we thought we'd start with talking about the physical make up and the beauty of Central Otago. Rex takes us on a journey through the aspects of Central Otago that make it unique and special for the growing of pinot noir grapes and the making of wine. He talks about the climate, the make-up of the soil, and the incredible talents of two of the people who set up the wine industry in Central Otago, Alan Brady & Rolfe Mills. We then realised we'd reached 20 odd minutes and hadn't even begun to talk about any of the winemakers in any detail, so decided to pivot and keep talking about the physical beauty of Central Otago and Rex shared more anecdotes appropriate to that theme, simply, the fact that Central Otago is BEAUTIFUL! So, forgive us our sins and please look out for the next episode where we definitely will be talking wines, wineries, and winemakers.  If you're in Wellington, why not come out and meet Rex? He'll be at Winetopia on Friday July 1 and Saturday July 2 at the TSB arena in downtown Wellington. Come along and taste the range of Sideways wines too! We'd love to see you there and Rex would love it if you were there too to talk movies, books, and anything else. Why not subscribe to the podcast? Here's the RSS feed for you to click on, https://anchor.fm/s/7829a34c/podcast/rss or alternatively, search for 'Sideways The Life of Wine' on Spotify, Apple, Google, Podcast Addict, or any good podcast player out there. The Sideways wine collection (handpicked by Rex Pickett) is now on sale, so please head to https://www.blackmarket.co.nz/promo/sideways-wines-feature or www.158.co.nz and taste the movie! Have you got a question to ask Rex about wine, all things Sideways (the books, the movie, the musical, the podcast, or the play)? Then please write to him on [email protected] This is just a reminder that this episode comes with a content warning and is created for adult audiences only. We advise listener and reader discretion for adult themes and language mentioned. Produced by 158 Limited.

You will know by now that Rex Pickett, author of the book 'Sideways' on which the Oscar, BAFTA and Golden Globe winning movie was based, is in New Zealand writing Sideways NZ: The Road Back - note the subtle change in the name of the new book.  He's holed up at Prophet's Rock winery with the guesthouse all to himself. There is no doubt that the ideation required to write the new book is definitely in train and Rex continues to throw out some mysterious titbits and teasers about the plot and the characters. The conversation covers so many topics that it's impossible to summarise in this episode's description. We promise to do a better job for the next episode. If you're in Wellington, why not come out and meet Rex? He'll be at Winetopia on Friday July 1 and Saturday July 2 at the TSB arena in downtown Wellington. Come along and taste the range of Sideways wines too! We'd love to see you there and Rex would love it if you were there too to talk movies, books, and anything else. Why not subscribe to the podcast? Here's the RSS feed for you to click on, https://anchor.fm/s/7829a34c/podcast/rss or alternatively, search for 'Sideways The Life of Wine' on Spotify, Apple, Google, Podcast Addict, or any good podcast player out there. The Sideways wine collection (handpicked by Rex Pickett) is now on sale, so please head to https://www.blackmarket.co.nz/promo/sideways-wines-feature or www.158.co.nz and taste the movie! Have you got a question to ask Rex about wine, all things Sideways (the books, the movie, the musical, the podcast, or the play)? Then please write to him on [email protected] This is just a reminder that this episode comes with a content warning and is created for adult audiences only. We advise listener and reader discretion for adult themes and language mentioned. Produced by 158 Limited.

Rex is in New Zealand writing Sideways New Zealand! What’s he been up to after his first few days? Who is he hanging with? What’s he been doing? What’s he think of Central Otago and the region? All these questions and many more get answered by Rex. Rex shares with Youie his experience so far at Prophet’s Rock, a gorgeous winery at Lake Dunstan in Bendigo near Cromwell, and much more. An example is when Rex and Youie talk about lamb, yes, you know, the animal and the meat. Youie suspects Rex has an inordinate level of interest in lamb and sheep and Rex explains it away. The biggest news is that Rex has started writing the book it seems. He explains what's going on and it's very exciting to think that already, the environment around him is starting to shape the ideation and development of the book. He's quite excited about it!  Why not subscribe to the podcast? Here's the RSS feed for you to click on, https://anchor.fm/s/7829a34c/podcast/rss or alternatively, search for 'Sideways The Life of Wine' on Spotify, Apple, Google, Podcast Addict, or any good podcast player out there. The Sideways wine collection (handpicked by Rex Pickett) is now on sale, so please head to https://www.blackmarket.co.nz/promo/sideways-wines-feature or www.158.co.nz and taste the movie! Have you got a question to ask Rex about wine, all things Sideways (the books, the movie, the musical, the podcast, or the play)? Then please write to him on [email protected] This is just a reminder that this episode comes with a content warning and is created for adult audiences only. We advise listener and reader discretion for adult themes and language mentioned. Produced by 158 Limited.

In this episode, Rex takes us through his mildly traumatic journey all the way from a drive from Del Mar to Los Angeles Airport to landing at Auckland Airport on Thursday. Rex and Youie then discuss what has happened since in our road trip right up to just before lunch on Sunday 15th of May. You’ll hear about Rex’s views of his appearance on live national show The Project on TV3 in New Zealand went down. You'll also hear Rex describe how the first three days have unfolded. You’ll get some insights into his views on food and wine consumed thus far into the trip and lots of other stuff that takes the conversation occasionally ‘sideways’.  You’ll hear talk about book clubs, both men and women only, campervans, book tours, winetasting, sheep, lamb, all the things you’d expect from a podcast recorded for the first time with Rex and Youie in the same room. Why not subscribe to the podcast? Here's the RSS feed for you to click on, https://anchor.fm/s/7829a34c/podcast/rss or alternatively, search for 'Sideways The Life of Wine' on Spotify, Apple, Google, Podcast Addict, or any good podcast player out there. The Sideways wine collection (handpicked by Rex Pickett) is now on sale, so please head to https://www.blackmarket.co.nz/promo/sideways-wines-featureor www.158.co.nz and taste the movie! Have you got a question to ask Rex about wine, all things Sideways (the books, the movie, or the play)? Then please write to him on [email protected] This is just a reminder that this episode comes with a content warning and is created for adult audiences only. We advise listener and reader discretion for adult themes and language mentioned. Produced by 158 Limited.

This is the fifth of short duration and quick to release News Flashes that we intend to share with you on the progress of various Sideways projects - the new book, the musical, the new movie, and all other Sideways related activities. This News Flash is focused on building on the exciting news that Rex is coming to New Zealand. In this episode, Rex and Youie chat through the itinerary and invite those living in Auckland, Gisborne, Napier and the Wairarapa to reach out to them and suggest people they should meet, places they should go during the mini 'roadtrip' that will start in Auckland on Thursday May 12, then go to Gisborne on Friday May 13, Saturday May 14, then Napier on Saturday May 14 and Sunday May 15. Then, it's off to Martinborough and the Wairarapa on Sunday May 15 ending up in Wellington on Sunday May 15 and Monday Tuesday 16. So, if you wish to meet Rex and buy him a drink or a coffee, then write to [email protected] and we'll see if he can catch up with you this time around or when he repeats the journey more slowly in July/August in his campervan. Also, a big call out for any book groups anywhere in the country who may wish to have Rex appear in person, please let us know. You're also invited to write to Rex on [email protected] and share with him some ideas that you may have as to what you'd like 'Miles' to do in the fourth book and hopefully, ultimately, the movie sequel!! The word of the podcast is antinomial. The most obscure one so far, we reckon. The Sideways wine collection (handpicked by Rex Pickett) is now on sale, so please head to https://www.blackmarket.co.nz/promo/sideways-wines-feature  or www.158.co.nz and taste the movie! Have you got a question to ask Rex about wine, all things Sideways (the books, the movie, or the play)? Then please write to him on [email protected] This is just a reminder that this episode comes with a content warning and is created for adult audiences only. We advise listener and reader discretion for adult themes and language mentioned. Produced by 158 Limited.