Vineyard

Mike's POV

After a ride of 2 hours, we reached the vineyard. Our nostrils started filling with the smell of fine grapes. We saw a huge cottage surrounded by grapes creepers.

I looked around and said, "It seemed this is someone's private property."

Mary acknowledged my doubt stating "It looks like this from here. Actually, this cottage belonged to Mr. Dcousta who was quite fond of fine wine. He was so particular about his wine that he actually purchased this cottage and started preparing his wine here."

I was so impressed with Mary. every time when we go to any new place she is so prepared and does thorough research.

We reached near the huge door which was open. As we entered I glanced around and saw the vintage-style furniture. There was a small reception area created. We went to the reception area and a lady in a green suit greeted us.

"Hello, sir. I am Bianca. The manager of this property and your host for today. Welcome to Beaujolaissel vineyard."

" Hi, Bianca. So is this your cottage?" I asked

"This cottage belonged to my father. It was his dream to make a fine vine that soothes everyone's tastebuds. Please come I will show you around."

Bianca took us to another room which resembles a kitchen area. There was a huge countertop and a few huge bowls of crushed grapes. We saw 2 men who were filtering the grape juice. Passing through this room Bianca took us to the backside of the cottage. There was a huge garden with grapes creepers everywhere. There was a woman who was picking up the grapes. As we move ahead towards one side there were 2 women who have grapes bowl and huge steel stick with which they were crushing the grapes.

" I have seen in movies that they crush the grapes with their feet. There is stomping in the huge bowls. So is it not true?" Mary asked curiously

Bianca replied "Actually at someplace they do but My Dad never appreciated the idea and from the beginning, he instructed me to crush the grapes with the stick. Sometimes we crush using hands but never with foot."

"Cool. Can we try this crushing process?" I asked

" Sure but be careful. The stick is heavy."

I took the stick from the worker in my hand and it was really heavy. Mary supported me and handled the stick. We both started crushing the grapes with a single stick. Her hands were on mine while we were crushing the grapes. It was a simple gesture but I found it really cute.

"Wow, this is really a tedious task. I wonder how tired they might be getting..." Mary said

"Actually we have 2 shifts. So from dawn to afternoon 1st shift work and from Afternoon to dusk 2nd shift work." Bianca told us

"Wow, that's great."

" Ya we believe in work-life balance," Bianca said proudly

Both me and Mary looked at each other with the same expression.

Mary then looked at Bianca and spoke "I wish we also have this work-life balance concept."

" What do you do?"

"I am a doctor," Mary said

"Oh...I understand how difficult it is. Doctor on call. Emergency happens anytime.No proper time to rest."

"Ya. I also feel I need work-life balance." I told

"You are a doctor too?"

"I am a software engineer."

"So what's the big deal..All you have to do is code on the laptop and you revise the deadline if the task is too complex."

Her statement reminded me of Alandra when she remembers all the critical tasks at the 11th hour.

" Is your boss a witch anytime?"

Bianca a bit confused asked " what?"

Mary chuckled.

"Bianca maybe you can show us the further process," Mary said

"Sure."

Bianca leads us to the same kitchen area where she showed us the further filtering process and then lead us to a different room which was filled with wine bottles.

Bianca explained that this is the fermentation and aging process. She went to the room and took out one bottle and bought us to a dining room. She took 2 glasses placed on the table neatly and poured us wine.

"Here."

"Thanks"

"Thank You, Bianca."

I tasted the wine and damn it was really sweet.

"Wow, this tastes like a nectar to my tastebuds."

"Thanks"

"Really It's awesome."

" Thank You. So shall we proceed?"

"Where?"

" Actually I have arranged lunch for you."

" Oh, Bianca. You are really busy here and this lunch...it has been really hectic for you to do all preparations." Mary said hesitantly

" It's ok. Not every day someone visits this vineyard."

We came out of the cottage and after 5 minutes of walk, we were in front of a villa.

" This is my family house. My grandpa made this and after him, my dad stayed here and now I stay here with my family."

We went inside. The villa was decorated in a contemporary modern style with still a vintage touch in terms of antiques and artifacts.

"I guess you have renovated it," I said looking at the interior

"Yup. But still, I wanted to keep my family memories so I have kept the artifacts and paintings."

"It's beautiful."

"Thanks"

In a short while, we were greeted by Bianca's husband and two children. All were very polite and gentle. We were served a French lunch consisting of Tripe soup (Pumpkin soup), Le saucisson Lyonnais à cuire(Sausages with potato gratin), Coq au vin (Rooster in wine sauce): chicken, herbs, and vegetables cooked in a Burgundy wine sauce, Oeufs en Meurette (Poached Eggs in Red Wine Sauce), Poulet au vinaigre à la lyonnaise (Chicken in the vinegar sauce) and Caramelized apples.

"Woah that's too much," I said

"Not really. You will be traveling so it doesn't matter if you eat a bit more."

I smiled. Both me and Mary ate to the fullest.

While leaving Mary took out a gift from her bag and gave it to Bianca and insisted Bianca on opening it. It was a snow globe of New York City and a set of wine glasses.

"Since you are into winemaking I thought these glasses will be something that will be useful and the snowglobe will always remind you of me and Mike."

I saw on the present there was a sticker which says To Bianca...From Mike & Mary.

It was a really sweet gesture from Mary putting my name when I was clueless about it.

Bianca hugged Mary and handed her a bottle of wine and then all her family waved us goodbye. We sat in our cab and headed towards Lyon city.