The Winemaker

Catalonia, the late nineteenth century. Josep Alvarez is the second son of a grape-growing family in Santa Eulália and therefore cannot expect to inherit the vineyard he loves. His wish to marry Teresa Gallego is frustrated by poverty, and political unrest draws him into the Carlist War and a violent conspiracy connected with national power. Forced away from home, Josep survives by working in vineyards where he develops a practical understanding of grapes, soil and wine.

When he returns to Catalonia, Josep attempts to build an independent life from damaged land, limited money and knowledge gathered during exile. His effort to produce wine of genuine quality is complicated by family obligations, romantic choices and the danger created by his earlier political involvement. The novel follows the transformation of an agricultural labourer into a winemaker while depicting rural Catalonia during a period of civil conflict and economic change.