In a small Italian village during World War II, word reaches the residents that Mussolini has fallen, and the German army is advancing towards them. The villagers panic, knowing their valuable wine stock will be seized by the Nazis. A local wine lover, Italo Bombolini, inadvertently becomes the hero of the town when he drunkenly climbs a water tower to remove Mussolini's flag but gets declared the new mayor by the townspeople. Bombolini is now faced with the daunting task of hiding over a million bottles of wine from the incoming German troops.

Bombolini rallies the villagers to execute an elaborate plan to safeguard their precious wine. Together, they employ wit and resourcefulness to conceal the wine in a secret cave while maintaining an innocent facade to deceive the Nazis. As the German commander relentlessly searches for the hidden stash, tensions rise within the community. The unity and determination of the villagers are tested as they confront moral dilemmas and personal conflicts, all in an effort to protect what they hold dear. The story unfolds with a blend of drama and humor, capturing the spirit of resistance amidst the backdrop of war.