Kamen sips 'Paris' story

Peterson, Fowler to produce pic based on Tabor tome

By PAMELA MCCLINTOCK

Kamen

Robert Mark Kamen is set to adapt journalist George M. Tabor's nonfiction tome "Judgment of Paris," the story of how California wines landed on the map after besting their French cousins in a 1976 blind tasting.

Indie pic is being produced by Clark Peterson ("Monster") and Elizabeth Fowler, and will be financed by private equity.

Tabor was the only journalist to attend the dramatic Paris tasting. The judges, all French, were stunned to learn they had picked California labels. Tasting was arranged by wine merchant Steven Spurrier, now the editor of Decanter magazine.

Peterson and Fowler also have optioned the life rights of Spurrier.

Project is a natural fit for Kamen, who owns Kamen Estate Wines in Sonoma County. He purchased the 300-acre lot with the money he earned from his first script sale. The movie was never made.

"I have an abiding passion for wines, vineyards and the history of wine, with California wine being part and parcel of it," Kamen said.

Kamen next will be in theaters with "Bandidas," starring Penelope Cruz and Salma Hayek. He penned "The Transporter" pics with Luc Besson, with other credits including "The Fifth Element" and the "Karate Kid" franchise.