The Sommelier feature
#Horror #Mystery/Suspense #Thriller
At his family's secluded vineyard, a restaurateur must outwit a sociopathic wine expert, solve his father's murder, and rescue his fellow guests, after a tasting event turns into a deadly game of revenge.
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Summary
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100 pages |
2 years ago
|
Draft 1
In the cellar vaults of the Sumner Winery, an unknown intruder surprises and kills legendary winemaker Broderick Sumner, 85, stabbing him brutally with a sommelier knife’s corkscrew. Thousands of gallons of maturing pinot noir are also lost in an apparent act of “vino vendetta.”
The trail leads police to the sommelier, Arturo Cuellar, who is arrested and charged with the crime.
One year later, at a quiet memorial dinner in his bistro, Ronan Sumner, Broderick’s son, feuds with sister Sandrine, and family lawyer, Darden, over the fate of their late father’s estate. Darden brings news that a new addendum to the will has been approved by the probate court-- Along with Broderick’s ex, Victoria, the siblings must pass a Master Sommelier exam in order to be named sole beneficiary of the estate and seize controlling interest in the winery.
As they assemble at the Sumner Chateau for the test, word that Arturo has been released from jail on a technicality reaches them, casting a pall over the proceedings, but the exam begins in earnest. Administered by Arturo’s replacement, Nigel DuPaul, a renowned Master Sommelier from Europe, the group does well in the blind tasting, a selection from the late Broderick's cellar. But when Ronan detects a fake amidst his samplings, it puts a crimp in the final tallying of scores.
Before they have time to investigate further, Victoria abruptly collapses, becoming deathly ill. Nigel calmly reveals that they have all consumed deadly doses of poison along with their wine and have only 90 minutes remaining until it takes full effect.
The attack on the palate has never been deadlier, and this will not be a finish to be savored.
Nigel reveals that he is actually Nigel Densham, son of Broderick’s longtime rival, Anton Densham, and has come to avenge a wrong perpetrated long ago by the Sumner clan, against the Denshams. Ronan and company are stunned and outraged, but kept in check by Nigel’s hired muscle, composed of disgruntled vineyard workers.
And so, the next exam begins, the final one. Ronan, Sandrine, and Darden find themselves pawns in the sommelier’s deadly game, held at gunpoint, poison running through their veins, and time running out.
But rather than just watch them die, Nigel has very detailed plans, and a prize beyond revenge. The hostages must locate a unique collection of super rare vintages, rumored to be worth 10 million dollars, scattered around the estate grounds, in order to be granted the antidote. As a simultaneous plot to burn the vineyard down begins, it’s clear that appearances are not everything, no one can be trusted... and "terroir" has a new name.
Ronan must unravel the mystery, locate the treasure trove of expensive rarities, and put an end to Nigel’s plan before all is lost.
The SOMMELIER
Vengeance has a new vintage.
The trail leads police to the sommelier, Arturo Cuellar, who is arrested and charged with the crime.
One year later, at a quiet memorial dinner in his bistro, Ronan Sumner, Broderick’s son, feuds with sister Sandrine, and family lawyer, Darden, over the fate of their late father’s estate. Darden brings news that a new addendum to the will has been approved by the probate court-- Along with Broderick’s ex, Victoria, the siblings must pass a Master Sommelier exam in order to be named sole beneficiary of the estate and seize controlling interest in the winery.
As they assemble at the Sumner Chateau for the test, word that Arturo has been released from jail on a technicality reaches them, casting a pall over the proceedings, but the exam begins in earnest. Administered by Arturo’s replacement, Nigel DuPaul, a renowned Master Sommelier from Europe, the group does well in the blind tasting, a selection from the late Broderick's cellar. But when Ronan detects a fake amidst his samplings, it puts a crimp in the final tallying of scores.
Before they have time to investigate further, Victoria abruptly collapses, becoming deathly ill. Nigel calmly reveals that they have all consumed deadly doses of poison along with their wine and have only 90 minutes remaining until it takes full effect.
The attack on the palate has never been deadlier, and this will not be a finish to be savored.
Nigel reveals that he is actually Nigel Densham, son of Broderick’s longtime rival, Anton Densham, and has come to avenge a wrong perpetrated long ago by the Sumner clan, against the Denshams. Ronan and company are stunned and outraged, but kept in check by Nigel’s hired muscle, composed of disgruntled vineyard workers.
And so, the next exam begins, the final one. Ronan, Sandrine, and Darden find themselves pawns in the sommelier’s deadly game, held at gunpoint, poison running through their veins, and time running out.
But rather than just watch them die, Nigel has very detailed plans, and a prize beyond revenge. The hostages must locate a unique collection of super rare vintages, rumored to be worth 10 million dollars, scattered around the estate grounds, in order to be granted the antidote. As a simultaneous plot to burn the vineyard down begins, it’s clear that appearances are not everything, no one can be trusted... and "terroir" has a new name.
Ronan must unravel the mystery, locate the treasure trove of expensive rarities, and put an end to Nigel’s plan before all is lost.
The SOMMELIER
Vengeance has a new vintage.
