It’s a Merlot that I’m ready to savor
OWN’s The Kings of Napa is a fun full-bodied nighttime soap that is a mix of Falcon Crest and Dynasty with all the drama we loved about classic 80s nighttime soaps sprinkled with a heavy hand of melanin Black Girl Magic thanks to the creator Janine Sherman Barrios!
I watched the premiere on Tuesday that laid out the premise of the new series. It’s a vine with strong roots with Dr. Reginald (Isiah Whitlock Jr.) and former TV-reporter wife Vanessa (Karen LeBlanc). The grapes are the children Dana (Rance Nix), August (Ebonee Noel), and Christian (Ashlee Brian) all of who have their own passions and plans that don’t always include King Winery. Rounding out the cast is Yvette (Heather Simms), Bridgette (Yaani King Mondschein), and Aunt Melanie (Devika Parikh) all bringing secrets that will rock the family to its foundation.
This first episode introduced not only the family, friends, and relatives who hover around for their piece of the pie <cough> or should I say glass of vino. Dana sees an opportunity to expand into dessert wine after brunch with friends at a local Italian restaurant and begins to hatch a plan to jockey for more responsibility and daddy’s approval during dinner with the family. While her two brothers focus on their own ambitions plans of a Bespoke Suit App and Bourbon business. All the while keeping an eye on their legacy and place in the family business.
I don’t want to spoil any drama bombs but The Kings of Napa is a fun soapy drama that packs a wallop in the premiere episode that will have me tuning in every Tuesday to watch the King family jockey for position in the business, money mystery, and family relationships.
New episodes on Tuesdays 8 PM ET/5 PM PT the OWNTV App (log on with your service provider), Oprah Website, HULU+ LIVE, YOUTUBE TV, cable, and streaming services. I hope you will join the conversation on Twitter and Instagram with the hashtag #KingsofNapa for East and West coast watchers.
So have your favorite wine ready and charcuterie plate to savor a night of family drama, secrets, sister rivalry, Black Culture from cuisine to art. Savor the story and look of the series with Black representation in all its hues, hair, and body sizes!
Leave a comment below on what you thought of the episode and new series from Janine Sherman Barrois.
ABOUT THE SERIES
The Kings of Napa is focused on a gorgeous and picturesque Napa Valley, California vineyard owned by the Kings, an aspirational African American family whose wealth and status land them on the pages of design magazines and society pages. The wine business has brought the family success and acclaim, but following the patriarch’s sudden exit from the company, his three children must grapple for the reigns to the kingdom — to their own power, wealth, and legacy.
About Author
