Rochester to help launch new James Bond movie

Rochester will get the star treatment Tuesday as one of a shortlist of American cities holding an early screening of the new James Bond movie Spectre before a wide American release.

Bollinger Champagne, the company behind the beverage long associated with Mr. Bond, scheduled several American screenings of the film in large cities, including New York and Los Angeles, after the film’s world premiere in London Monday.

Company representatives recently visited the Strathallan Hotel in Rochester for a wine tasting and were blown away by its potential to hold a Bond-style bash, said Abel Gonzalez, the upstate fine wine manager for VTS, a partnership of wine importers and distributors that works with Bollinger in the U.S.

“We looked at each other and said, ‘Can we really make this happen?'" Gonzalez said.

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The families behind Sony Pictures and Bollinger Champagne have a longstanding relationship with the Bond movies, he said, and Bollinger was able to schedule its U.S. screenings a few days prior to the nationwide release on Nov. 6.

In fact, Rochester will have the first and largest screening next week, said Joshua Miles of the Strathallan.

“It's very humbling and a little surprising," said Miles. His wife Jenna Miles, with whom he owns and operates The Revelry restaurant in Rochester, added that Rochester's rich history in film seemed to play a key role in the city being considered and chosen to hold the event.

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A reception at 5 p.m. Tuesday at the George Eastman Museum will be followed by the screening in the Dryden Theatre, then an after party at the Strathallan.

Other cities holding premieres include New York City, Los Angeles, Boston, Chicago, Miami, Washington D.C., San Francisco, and Dallas.

Bollinger representatives have had no confirmation that any of the film’s cast or crew will be in attendance Tuesday, said Gonzalez.

The Strathallan party following the screening will be a lavish, black-tie affair, complete with a whiskey bar, cigar rolling, ice sculptures and live music.

A limited number tickets are still available for $200 per person. They can be purchased online at strathallan.bigcartel.com. 

STADDEO@Gannett.com