Charlotte sat to join Martine in entertaining Valerie, Chloe and Lisa while the men deliberated. Though the conversation touched on many topics, ahe frequently came back to the petty officials to further vent her frustration with the government. "Like the Mafioso. They know little but intimidation and –"

The chime of her phone interrupted, and she thumbed it on and swiped. "Oui, allo!" She smiled and nodded as she listened. "Nous arrivons." Clicking off, she fist-pumped her phone high over her head. "C'est fini. It's done. They have rubber-stamped and departed with their loot."

Charlotte rose with her daughter, breathing heavy sighs as they hugged. "Now to carry on with life. Allons-y – come; they are waiting for us."

She led the women out of the house, across the lawns and into the tasting room. "First some wine to celebrate, and then lunch."

Lorne strode across toward the door as they entered, and he placed a light kiss on Valerie's lips and another on Chloe's cheek. "Easier than I had expected." He turned and escorted them to the bar where Claude handed him a bottle.

"Une chacun. We will each do one. My farewell and your welcome."

Lorne and Claude stood side-by-side, facing the small gathering as they removed the foils and cages from their bottles. Then Claude popped his cork with a flourish a moment before Lorne eased his out with a quiet hiss. Valerie smiled as she thought. Out with a bang; in with a sigh.

The men poured the bubbly into flutes as Charlotte passed them around, then after Martine had poured grape juice for Chloe and Lisa, Lorne raised his glass. "To new adventures for everyone."

They all drank to the toast; then a silence descended as they savoured the wine. Valerie took another sip, nodding as she looked up into Lorne's eyes. "This is superb. Is it made here?"

"Yes, it is, and yes, it is." He chuckled and took another sip. "Among Claude's passions is to make barrel-fermented Chardonnay finished in the classic Champagne method, then he leaves it on the lees for ten or more years before disgorging." He picked up the bottle from the bar and showed her the label. "We need a better name for it; Bulles de Chêne may work in France, but doesn't speak to the market I see. We need a name that will convey its quality to the world."

Valerie chuckled. "Yeah, Bubbles of Oak doesn't do it justice." She took another sip, savoured it and nodded again. "A very fine Blanc de Blancs. Reminds me of a Bruno Paillard RD." She nosed the glass then looked up. "Eikenhoutskloof means oakwood gorge in Dutch, doesn't it? Likely in Afrikaans as well. Are you going to keep the name?"

"It would be difficult in the market I foresee. Besides, it's too similar to Boekenhoutskloof, which already has a strong presence. We'd look like copycats even though our winery pre-dates theirs. My thinking is for something along the lines of Oakwood Canyon." He shrugged. "Better for the broader market."

"Yeah, the trend is to English and concocted neutral brands."

Lorne squeezed Valerie's hand, then nodded toward Chloe and Lisa off to the side of the room, engaged in a lively conversation. "Bet that's about helicopters."

"Yeah, better than sex." Valerie giggled. "Oh, God! No, it's not. I meant it's better than Chloe talking about it."

Lorne chuckled with her, "I had hoped so." He ran his eyes down her front and back up, then shuddered. "Let's go over and talk with Claude and Charlotte before I get carried away."

As they approached, Walter turned to greet. "We've been discussing the turnover details, Sir. It might be best if I stay on here for a day or two to oversee the transition. Bring in a manager or two from our other wineries to guide us through it."

Lorne bobbed his head, remaining silent. Then after a short pause, he said, "Yeah, and Wendell as well – to deal with any legal arisings."

Wendell nodded. "I was about to suggest that, Sir. My schedule is good."

Charlotte had watched the conversation with obvious interest, then at a pause, she said, "It appears you own other wineries, Mr Benton."

"A few."

"Where?"

He shrugged. "Alphabetically; Australia, British Columbia, California, Chile –"

"No, I mean in South Africa."

"Here, I've concentrated on Stellenbosch, Paarl and Franschhoek, though I have one in Robertson and another in Elgin."

"Oh!" She paused for a bit, then continued. "I now see the idea of the training centre. It will help you. I thought you were being crazy with it."

"All of our vineyards and wineries are desperate for trained workers. You know this. Stellenbosch University offers undergrad and postgrad courses in viticulture and oenology, but there is no training available for basic vineyard and winery workers. The ones in greatest demand."

"Oh, yes!" She slapped her forehead. "The ones we have to pay for two or three to sit around doing little or nothing for each one who is effective."

"We need to change that. I had been wondering what to do with the two redundant wineries, then I realised they'd make great training centres once we've moved out of them and into the new one at Les Herbes."

"That's yours?" Claude shook his head. "What a spectacular facility that is. Absolutely state of the art."

"We hope so." Lorne took a sip of wine. "We'll see with this harvest."

"So, you'll be providing both the facilities and the training. That's a major expense for you."

"We're doing it anyway – piecemeal at each of our wineries. This will be central, consolidated, and therefore, less expensive." Lorne shrugged a shoulder. "Also better because of the concentration of effort."

"What will you do with the duds – the layabouts and the deadheads?"

"Written into the agreement with the government is that we select the students. Our main selection criteria are initiative and motivation, so the uninspired won't even make it onto the course."

Claude pursed his lips as he nodded. "Clever."

"Thank you. Initially, the courses will be running at full capacity, but eventually, we'll key the student intake to meet the demand for workers in the region."

"They would have to have been absolute idiots to refuse."

"Yeah, that's why I had suggested only three bottles in the van."