Solomon's Vineyard: Book Iv

Andrew Solomon, a young London bank clerk, is "let go" by the bank in the course of reorganization, whereupon his wife leaves him for a wealthy lover. But these are almost immediately killed in a car crash and with the compensation from the bank, and his wife's insurance he suddenly finds himself a wealthy man.

He takes a Mediterranean cruise to get away from it all but falls off the boat one night and is rescued by some French fishermen. He buys a small car and on the drive home stops at a small town in the Avergne and finds himself looking in an Estate Agent's window: For sale- established riverside B&B, with small vineyard.

He is hugely attracted to the idea-also to Sabine, then young Estate Agent, and with the help of her uncle Gabriel, puts his considerable funds into developing the Vineyard, and making their own wine instead of just sending their grapes to the local co-operative- which incurs the growing hostility of some of their neighbors-George Cortou, President of the Co-op in particular. Despite this, the reputation of the vineyard continues to grow until some decide they have to get rid of "The English" at all costs…