June, 2022 – Trading in his role of vintner for that of executive film producer, Joe Anderson, chairman of Benovia Winery, is proud to announce the release of “INTO FLIGHT ONCE MORE,” a new documentary narrated by actor Gary Sinise.

“INTO FLIGHT ONCE MORE” brings to life the history of D-Day and the Allied Invasion of Normandy on June 6, 1944, as told through the lens of one squadron and their epic journey across the North Atlantic on the 75th anniversary of D-Day. It premieres this Saturday, June 4th, at the National Museum of the US Air Force™ in Dayton, Ohio.

 

The documentary captures priceless interviews with WWII veterans and shows what happened behind the scenes when fifteen adventurous teams flew to Normandy in restored WWII planes in 2019 to honor the veterans’ sacrifice and to thank them for their service. “INTO FLIGHT ONCE MORE” is presented by Benovia Winery and The Green Foundation, and was produced by Sound Off Films in association with the Tunison Foundation, The D-Day Squadron, the DC-3 Society, and Fisher Automotive. The film was directed by Adrienne Hall, and the trailer for “INTO FLIGHT ONCE MORE” can be found here

 

Benovia owner, Joe Anderson, not only produced the film but flew alongside this squadron in his restored historic WWII DC-3 plane, The Spirit of Benovia, pictured below.

 

Joe Anderson, who co-founded Benovia Winery in Sonoma County with his wife Mary Dewane in 2005, became involved in the project as executive producer because he owns a C-53 Skytrooper airplane called The Spirit of Benovia. In 2019, together with the American “D-Day Squadron,” Anderson and his 80 year old plane flew across the Atlantic Ocean and in formation over Normandy to commemorate “D-Day,” which occurred on June 6, 1944 when Allied forces stormed several beaches in the Normandy region of France, a turning point in World War II which led to the liberation of Western Europe from the Nazis. A variant of the civilian DC-3 passenger planes, the C-47/53’s were among the workhorses of World War II and played a key role in the Invasion of Normandy. Anderson and his colleagues made the significant trip in stages from Connecticut, to Newfoundland, Greenland, Iceland, Scotland, England – and finally, to Normandy on June 6, 2019.

“I’ve been very fortunate throughout my career,” said Anderson. “But I’m especially proud of this film. To be able to honor World War II veterans in such a poignant way, and for director Adrienne Hall to capture our journey so beautifully is really gratifying. We owe the Greatest Generation an immeasurable debt. My hope is that this film will keep their extraordinary, selfless achievements alive for future generations.”

 

Plane and WaterMeet veterans at each stop on the journey from the US to France, as they reconnect with the planes that flew, provisioned, rescued, supported, and meant so much to them during wartime. These honorable WWII men and women veterans reveal never before heard information as seeing these planes sparks memories held deep inside.

Watch the incredible story while you sip our 2018 Liberation Pinot Noir!