Let’s be honest. Most TV these days is exhausting. It’s all dragons, decapitations, or high-stakes corporate espionage where everyone wears a grey suit and hates their parents. That is exactly why Under the Vines Season 2 felt like such a massive breath of fresh air when it landed on Acorn TV. It didn't try to reinvent the wheel. It just gave us more of what we actually wanted: two city slickers who have no business running a vineyard, a lot of beautiful New Zealand scenery, and enough romantic tension to power a small village.
If you haven't caught up yet, the second season picks up right where the chaos of Oakley Wines left off. Rebecca Gibb and Charles Dance (not that Charles Dance, but the vibe is there in the prestige) might not be in the cast, but the leads we do have—Rebecca Gibney and Charles Edwards—carry the whole thing with this effortless, bickering chemistry that feels genuinely earned.
The Messy Reality of Oakley Wines in Under the Vines Season 2
Daisy and Louis are still broke. That’s the core of the show, isn't it? In Under the Vines Season 2, the dream of selling the vineyard and bolting back to their respective glamorous lives in London and Sydney starts to feel less like a plan and more like a pipe dream. They’re stuck. But they’re stuck together.
The season really leans into the "fish out of water" trope, but it does so with a bit more grit than the first go-around. You’ve got the introduction of Dr. William Devine, played by Mark Mitchinson. He’s the local GP who starts sniffing around Daisy, and honestly, it’s the kind of romantic foil the show needed to stop the Daisy-and-Louis "will-they-won't-they" from getting stale. Watching Louis deal with actual jealousy while pretending he’s too sophisticated to care is peak comedy.
Why Central Otago is the Secret Main Character
You can’t talk about this season without talking about the dirt. The schist. The landscape of Central Otago in New Zealand is basically a paid actor at this point. The cinematography in Under the Vines Season 2 highlights that rugged, golden-hued beauty of the Gibbston Valley. It makes you want to quit your job, buy a pair of Blundstones, and move to a farm, even though the show spends half its runtime explaining why that is a terrible financial decision.
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The production stayed true to its roots, filming around the historic wet-stone buildings and rolling hills that define the region. It’s not just eye candy. The harshness of the environment—the frost that can kill a crop in a single night—actually drives the plot. It raises the stakes. If they lose the grapes, they lose everything. That’s a very real pressure for winemakers in that part of the world, and the show captures that anxiety surprisingly well for a "light" dramedy.
Breaking Down the Character Growth (Or Lack Thereof)
Daisy Monroe is still a walking disaster, but she’s our disaster. In the second season, we see her actually trying to learn the science of viticulture. She isn't just the socialite in high heels anymore. Well, she still wears the heels, but now she wears them while arguing about fermentation cycles.
Louis, on the other hand, is battling his own demons. His ex-wife and daughter are constantly looming in the background of his mind. Charles Edwards plays Louis with this delicate brittleness; you can tell he’s one bad harvest away from a total nervous breakdown.
The supporting cast also stepped up.
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- Tipper (Trae Te Wiki): She becomes the voice of reason when the two leads are spinning out.
- Gus (Simon Mead): His journey from a simple farmhand to someone with actual agency in the business is a nice touch.
- Marissa (Sarah Peirse): The rival vineyard owner who we all love to hate. She’s essentially the "final boss" of the New Zealand wine world.
Addressing the Common Gripes
Some critics argued that the pacing in the middle of the season felt a bit sluggish. I get it. If you’re looking for fast-paced action, you’re in the wrong place. This is "slow TV." It’s meant to be watched with a glass of Pinot Noir in your hand on a Tuesday night when you just want the world to stop screaming at you.
The subplot involving the "Great Wine Conference" might have felt a bit contrived to some, but it served its purpose. It forced Daisy and Louis to present a united front to the world. It showed us that despite the constant sniping, they actually respect each other’s lunacy. That’s a rare thing in modern television—a partnership built on mutual incompetence that slowly turns into competence.
The Realism Factor
Is it realistic that two people with zero experience could keep a vineyard afloat? Probably not. Talk to any actual winemaker in the Otago region, and they’ll tell you the bank would have foreclosed by Episode 3. But Under the Vines Season 2 isn't trying to be a documentary. It’s an escapist fantasy grounded in emotional truth. The struggle to find a "second act" in life is something that resonates with anyone over the age of thirty.
What You Should Do Next If You’ve Finished the Season
If you’ve already binged your way through the finale, don't just sit there. There are a few things you can do to keep the vibe going while you wait for more news on the franchise's future.
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First, look into the actual wines of the region. The show has sparked a massive interest in Central Otago Pinot Noir. Brands like Felton Road or Mt. Difficulty are the real-life inspirations for the kind of quality Daisy and Louis are chasing. If you can find a bottle, drink it while re-watching the finale. It adds a layer of sensory immersion that most shows can't offer.
Second, check out the work of the show’s creator, Erin White. She has a specific knack for this kind of regional storytelling that feels both local and universal.
Lastly, pay attention to the location. If you’re ever planning a trip to New Zealand, the "Under the Vines" trail is becoming a real thing. Fans are visiting the Queenstown and Wanaka areas specifically to see the backdrops used in the show.
The beauty of this series is that it doesn't demand much of you, but it gives back a lot of heart. It’s a reminder that sometimes, the best thing you can do when your life falls apart is to go plant something and see if it grows. Even if you have no idea what you’re doing. Especially then.