The Vineyard

The Vineyard by Maria Duenas

    If ever an object was a real character in a story, the vineyard is it.   The winery, the house, the vineyard in Andalusia de Jerez, Spain, was the centerpoint of the Montalvo family, but now the family is scattered or no long living and the current heir, Gustavo Zayas is a haunted man. But the properties remain and the history remains and the desire for the land remains. 

    Mauro Larrea, a self-made man who made his fortune in mining silver in Mexico finds himself suddenly without the funds to sustain the life he and his family have grown accustomed to.  But one thing he has learned over the years was to think on his feet and trust his judgement.  One day, he finds himself the new owner of the vineyard, the house and the winery, all in Spain.  But while Mauro Larrea is in Cuba, he is formerly of Mexico, but still a citizen of Spain.

    This dual citizenship plays well to his claiming of the vineyard after he travels to Spain with the intention of selling it and taking the money to rescue his life in Mexico.  Then he meets Soledad Montalvo and he must reassess. 

    Every story needs a villain and there is one in this story that puts Cruella DeVille to shame. 

    I know this sounds confusing.  There are a lot of characters, many locations, Mexico, Cuba, Spain, and as the story of the vineyard comes to light, everything in this many layered story comes together.  As I said, as a silent character, the vineyard is the reason for everything.