If you’re a fan of cozy mysteries, you probably felt that weird void when Candace Cameron Bure left the Aurora Teagarden series. It was like losing a neighbor you actually liked. But honestly, her jump to Great American Family (GAF) brought us something that feels a bit more "Texas-modern." If you're trying to watch Ainsley McGregor Mysteries: A Case for the Winemaker, you’ve likely realized that finding where it’s actually streaming can be a bit of a headache depending on which week it is.
The movie officially kicked off a brand new franchise back in late 2024. It isn't just a one-off film; it’s the gateway into the town of Sweet River.
Where to Actually Find the Movie Right Now
Let’s get the logistics out of the way because nobody likes scrolling through five different apps just to find out a title is "unavailable in your region."
As of early 2026, the primary home for this movie is Great American Pure Flix. This is the streaming arm of the network. If you have a subscription there, you’re golden. But if you’re a cord-cutter looking for other options, it’s been popping up on Peacock and Philo pretty regularly.
- Streaming: Pure Flix (Permanent home), Peacock (often included in their mystery bundles), and FuboTV.
- Live TV: If you still have a traditional cable package or something like Frndly TV, keep an eye on the Great American Family linear channel. They cycle these mysteries through on Saturday nights like clockwork.
- Digital Purchase: You can usually find it for rent or buy on Amazon Prime Video or Apple TV, but prices fluctuate. Kinda annoying, I know.
The Plot: More Than Just Wine and Grapes
The story follows Ainsley McGregor, a former big-city criminologist from Chicago who decides she’s had enough of the "dark side" of humanity. She moves back to her hometown of Sweet River, Texas. She opens "Bless Your Arts," which is basically the cutest artisan market you can imagine.
Naturally, she can't just sell handcrafted soaps and wood carvings in peace.
When a man named Rick Dean—a businessman trying to buy out the local winery—is found dead in a wine cellar, the local sheriff (who also happens to be Ainsley’s brother, Ryan) wants her to stay out of it. He’s played by Robin Dunne, and their sibling bickering is one of the best parts of the movie. Ainsley doesn't stay out of it, obviously. She’s got that "crime nose" as she calls it.
She teams up with a local book club—which is basically a group of amateur sleuths—and a very charming fire chief named Jake, played by Aaron Ashmore. If you recognize him, it’s probably from Ginny & Georgia or Killjoys. He brings a nice balance to Ainsley's high-energy analytical brain.
Why This Series Feels Different
A lot of people compare this to Aurora Teagarden, but after you watch Ainsley McGregor Mysteries: A Case for the Winemaker, you’ll notice the tone is slightly shiftier. It's still "cozy," sure. There’s no gore or swearing. But Ainsley is a professor. She teaches criminology at the local college.
Her approach is more academic. She talks about "theories of crime" and "behavioral patterns" while she's looking for a killer. It makes her feel a bit more grounded than the typical "accidental" sleuth who just stumbles onto clues while buying groceries.
Filming Secrets
Interestingly, while the story is set in the heart of Texas, the movie was actually filmed in British Columbia. If those vineyards look familiar to Hallmark veterans, it's because they are. Specifically, a lot of the exterior shots were done around Peachland and Kelowna. The "police station" in the movie? That was an old BC Tree Fruits building in downtown Kelowna.
Missing Pieces and Common Misconceptions
One thing that trips people up is the "Case for the Watchmaker" title. That is actually the third movie in the series, which just released in early 2026.
- A Case for the Winemaker (The one where it all starts)
- A Case for the Yarn Maker (Focuses on a murdered "Yarn Goddess")
- A Case for the Watchmaker (A cold case involving a rare timepiece)
If you jump straight into the third one, you’ll be confused about why Ainsley and Jake are acting the way they are. Start with the winemaker. It sets up the whole "Bless Your Arts" community.
Is It Worth the Subscription?
Look, if you like mysteries where the stakes are high but the vibe is low-stress, yes. It’s well-produced. The chemistry between Bure and Ashmore isn't forced—it’s that slow-burn "will they, won't they" that keeps these franchises alive for ten movies. Plus, the dog, George, is a scene-stealer.
The mystery itself in A Case for the Winemaker isn't incredibly difficult to solve if you’re a seasoned detective show binger. You might spot the killer about 40 minutes in. But that’s not really why we watch these, is it? We watch for the town, the cozy shops, and the satisfaction of seeing justice served in a place where everyone knows your name.
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Your Next Steps to Get Started
If you’re ready to dive in, don't just search the title on Google and click the first "free" link you see—those are usually spam.
- Check your existing apps: Open Peacock or Amazon Prime first. It’s frequently included in "Recently Added" sections for mystery fans.
- Sign up for a trial: Great American Pure Flix usually offers a 7-day or 30-day free trial. You can easily binge the first two movies in a weekend and then cancel if it’s not your vibe.
- Follow the "Book Club": If you like the community aspect, look for the original books by Candace Havens. They give a lot more backstory on Ainsley's time in Chicago that the movies only hint at.
Once you finish the winemaker's story, you’ll be perfectly positioned to catch up on the Yarn Maker and the brand-new Watchmaker installment that everyone is talking about this season.