Ep 16. Wine Weekend

As the name suggests, episode 16 of season 9 of Modern Family centers around a weekend getaway focused on wine tasting. The whole family is involved, with all members eager to take part in the festivities.

At the beginning of the episode, Gloria is eager to take the family on a wine tasting adventure. She has her heart set on a particular winery that she's heard good things about, and is excited to share the experience with everyone. Initially, everyone seems on-board, but as the trip gets closer, tensions start to rise.

Haley, for one, doesn't want to attend. She's just landed an exciting new job and is eager to make a good impression, so she doesn't want to take the time off. Claire, meanwhile, is stressing about work and trying to balance her responsibilities with the weekend getaway. Jay is feeling left out, as Gloria seems to be taking charge of everything. And then there's Phil, who's worried about trying to impress his father-in-law, who is joining them on the trip.

As the family heads out on the trip, tensions are high. The dynamic between Phil and his father-in-law is particularly strained, as Phil is nervous about trying to bond with him and impress him. Meanwhile, Gloria is determined to make sure everyone has a good time, but her enthusiasm is starting to grate on some of the other family members.

As they start the wine tasting, things continue to devolve. Claire is stressed out and not really enjoying herself, while Jay is feeling even more left out as Gloria continues to run the show. Meanwhile, Cam and Mitchell are dealing with their own issues, as they end up stuck with a group of strangers who are more interested in partying than actually tasting wine.

As the day goes on, tensions continue to mount. Haley, who initially didn't even want to come on the trip, ends up having a great time and bonding with Alex. However, she now feels guilty about not being there for her new job. Phil, on the other hand, is struggling to connect with his father-in-law, and things come to a head when he accidentally spills wine on him.

Amidst all the chaos, there are still some enjoyable moments. Gloria gets more and more enthusiastic as the day goes on, while Lily ends up befriending a winery employee. The group also gets to sample some really great wine, and everyone starts to loosen up a little bit.

As the day draws to a close, there's still some tension lingering. Jay and Gloria end up having a massive argument, while Phil is still struggling to connect with his father-in-law. It seems like the weekend has been a disaster.

However, the family starts to come together as they gather around the bonfire at the end of the night. They start to talk through their issues and air their grievances - but they also start to remember why they all love each other in the first place. By the end of the episode, things are still a little bit messy, but the family is closer than they've been all weekend.

Overall, "Wine Weekend" is a classic Modern Family episode that showcases the show's strengths - namely, its ability to balance humor with heart. While the trip doesn't go exactly as planned, the family ends up bonding and growing closer in unexpected ways. It's a fun, heartwarming episode that any Modern Family fan is sure to enjoy.