The Wine Merchant

Claire's closest friend Grace arrives with Sidonie, like the others, they too are fixers of a sort. Grace has a plan to help Claire - after they catch up. But first, they have to finagle the trailer into place.

Together this team of friends was trapped in a paradise by the pandemic. Andre is invited to stay longer - to help with everything from the barn renovation to the harvest. This was a fine-tuned team of people who could fix almost anything. And then everything changed and Claire thought she was alone with her future but Barret stepped in like an aunt - with advice.

As Tim takes the first steps for the barn renovation, Claire bears witness to a life-changing event at Natalie's vineyard. It took a team with amazing skill sets to figure things out - to 'fix' the issue. Claire confirms her aunt's involvement with the seat reassignments.

Claire resigns to pursue another dream but not before returning to the BeeKeeper's Cottage and the advice of her mother, aunt, and friends. Every sensory pleasure is available there along with the calm of the porch - not to mention the company.

Three years into her tenure as a buyer, Claire tries to leave for France - it's harvest season and Laurente's Celebration is the one event she will never miss. Even though she's delayed Claire returns to a hero's welcome in Reims. The welcoming lunch is Claire's "Maiden Speech" for the group gathered. Madam Huron steps in to help and shares her secret with Claire.

Recognizing that her best job prospects would be in the States, Claire heads to her mother's cottage - the BeeKeeper's Cottage in Sonoma. She settles into vineyard life with her mother, Natalie the owner, and Tim. They all get to know one another and their histories - including Manuel, Natalie's grandfather and inspiration. More interested in the vineyard than job hunting Claire avoids the inevitable until she receives the ideal job offer as a buyer of French wine.

After a melancholy ending to her first summer internship, Claire returns for a second summer and then a third. This summer was different because she wasn't eager to leave, Claire wanted to stay for the harvest. Laurente invites her to their annual harvest celebration and Claire announces her decision to take a semester off and return to the States for her final semester and graduation. She learns that her mother Barret trusts her; they've entered a new era in their relationship.

Immersed in the beauty of the season with the ever-present threat of hailstones Claire works in the Greno vineyard alongside Michel.

Claire attends Laurente's Harvest Celebration before the harvest - Madame A. Huron gives her the key to the village and makes Claire an honorary citizen for life. Claire returns to the States, finishes her degree, meets Laurente at their cafe, and then heads out west to her mother's new home in Sonoma.

Claire's aunt Laurente checks in on Claire at the Greno vineyard and introduces her to the value of diaries - for those who write in them and for those who discover them decades and centuries later.

Claire takes you right into her life at the Greno family house and vineyard through her vivid descriptions of the place and the people who inspire her there - her 'other' family. She discovers the value of connections from the village Saturday market to Em the spaniel and her new friend Brigitte.

Claire needed a summer internship to satisfy her degree program. Eventually, she turned to her aunt who gave her an idea. Claire found the confidence to believe in her dreams and make them happen on a vineyard in France. When she couldn't find a career path, she built her own in Champagne - with the help of an aunt.