What It's Really Like to Go to the Step Brothers-Inspired Catalina Wine Mixer

Before 2015, Step Brothers was just another funny R-rated comedy from the aughts, a boon to the film résumés of Will Ferrell and John C. Reilly along with talent who would go on to bigger things, like director Adam McKay, who broke out of the genre last year and earned an Oscar nomination for The Big Short. Like The Hangover and Old School, Step Brothers was filed away as a quotable, fun movie, but not much more beyond that. Then, the first Catalina Wine Mixer happened in September 2015, and suddenly, Step Brothers achieved cult classic status. Because of one climactic scene at the end of the movie — set at a fictional event on the Southern California island — tourism inspiration was born.

I remember how social media exploded in 2015 at the event's first announcement, how Santa Catalina island was embracing an opportunity for a novelty event (ironic, considering that the scene is not even shot on Catalina, but rather a golf course in Rancho Palos Verdes, CA), and perhaps attract a younger, hipper demographic. The "official" Catalina Wine Mixer was born, then came and went. If it had been a one-time thing, it could have just been one of those fun trivia bullets on the movie's IMDb page. But when it was announced this year for the second annual event, it was clear that Catalina had more than just a novelty on its hands. I was invited to check out this year's event, and being a big fan of the movie Step Brothers, and also, emphatically, wine, I had to check it out.

The event is now a three-day affair, with various events that embrace the film. The first night kicked off with a screening of the movie, plus a theme party where guests were invited to dress-up as characters. Aside from the historical Avalon Theater where the film was screened, the first night didn't take advantage of its magical island location. But on Saturday and Sunday, when the mixer began in earnest, the reality that you're in a gorgeous setting while laughing at guys wearing captain hats sets in. Saturday is an evening-only event, more focused on the concert (this year, The Joy Formidable opened up for the band KONGOS). Day two is more like an intimate outdoor music festival (very intimate; you could walk right up to the stage if you wanted to). The evening event is less about wine, the movie, and Catalina itself, but it's a good time — and a nice primer to Sunday, the day the Catalina Wine Mixer really shined.

With an earlier start time of 12:30 on Sunday, attendees got the full Catalina experience (with the luck of the insanely beautiful 90-degree weather). On Day three, wine vendors lined up all around the lawn of the venue, the Descanso Beach Club. The beach club itself is perched on a pretty, man-made beach, and savvier guests took advantage of the less-crowded beach and took a dip in the ocean in between glasses of vino. Step Brothers memorabilia was everywhere, reminding people of the event's provenance — including the pièce de résistance: a helicopter emblazoned with the party's name.

If you'd never seen the movie or forgotten to rewatch, you may have been a little lost. But for those who love the movie and remember it well, nods were everywhere; in addition to the helicopter, an ice sculpture graced the VIP area, posters with Dale and Brennan (Ferrell and Reilly's characters) were available for photo ops, and the movie's quotes were everywhere, especially on clothes. Shops around Catalina's downtown Avalon were selling tons of merch with quotes emblazoned on shirts and hats, like the (unfortunately) popular "Boats 'n Hoes."

I'd had a suspicion that Step Brothers might not be quite as well known among an older demographic, but I also thought that an event called a Wine Mixer on Catalina Island might attract an unusual mix of people. Turns out, I was half-wrong, because the crowd almost universally worshipped the movie (at least it seemed that way, judging by the enthusiasm for the props and frequent quoting of the line, "The f*ckin' Catalina Wine Mixer!").

No one seemed to have accidentally landed at the party, expecting just some good wine and mixing. I chatted up a few people to find out what it was that compelled them to buy tickets and hop on a boat (it's about an hour from Long Beach by ferry). There were some friends who'd gathered a group to celebrate one friend's 30th birthday; another pair of friends, who, coincidentally, made this a 30th birthday festivity (30 seeming to be the age where one still passionately cares about movies like Step Brothers and can afford a weekend getaway that includes hotel, a boat trip, and an event ticket). The pervasive attitude of the mixers seemed to be of people who were seeking their next good time, and who happened to have an affinity for this movie.

Take heed: this is not a fancy wine-tasting event. This is a wine drinking event, as evidenced by the hearty pours from the vendors lined up and down the lawn of the beach club. The vendors included mostly California wineries, adding to the very-specific California feeling.

Even though the general age range of partygoers (late 20s to late 30s) was younger than I thought, and it was such a day-drinking affair on Sunday, the overall vibe wasn't sloppy. The dress and attitude was pretty casual (like I said, the movie-related t-shirts were a hot item), but it was almost as classy as the party in the movie. (Almost; there was no "Por Ti Volare" sung.) Really, what Catalina has done by embracing a memorable movie scene is help spread the appeal of the island to a totally different population who may not have considered a trip there before. It's savvy — and really, really fun for fans of the movie.