Page 2 of Gone With the Wine

And I’m starting to be known, too, as Milenko gives me the freedom to develop wines of my own. It’s what I’ve always wanted—to be known for something I’ve accomplished myself, something that’s not just brushed aside or ignored, not something that belongs to the “family.” That’s what they did to Nonna. She never got credit for her creations; they were always “Belmonte” wines. I want to create elegant, complex, delicious wines and I’m on my way to doing that.

Rosa holds up a finger to her lips, indicating we should be quiet. She turns her iPad and I see Mr. Davenport walking into the room.

He takes a seat behind the wide, official-looking desk at the front of the room, then looks directly at Rosa’s iPad. And frowns.

“Hi, Mr. Davenport,” Rosa says. “I know this is a little unorthodox…”

“But so are we,” Allegra adds with a laugh.

I hear Rosa’s sigh. She’s never had much patience for Allegra’s antics.

“Sorry, sir,” she says to Mr. Davenport. “You know my sisters, Bianca and Allegra.”

“Quite well,” he answers.

Allegra waves. “Hi, Jimmy!”

I hear someone snort, then cough in a feeble attempt to cover laughter. I, too, have to bite my lip on a smile.

“As I was saying, Mr. Davenport,”Rosa continues seriously. “My sisters Allegra and Bianca are both out of the country but want to participate in the reading as well.”

“That’s fine.”

Rosa turns her tablet around again. Mr. Davenport takes his glasses out of their case and slides them on. “As long as you don’t disrupt the proceedings.” He directs his attention to the phone with a raised eyebrow.

We’ve known James Davenport almost our entire lives—he’s been the family lawyer for as long as anyone can remember. And he knows us. Sometimes to our embarrassment.

“Yes, sir,” I reply.

“It’ll be just like I’m there in the room,” Allegra adds.

“That’s what I’m afraid of,” he says drolly. “Just—be appropriate, please.”

“Yes, sir,” Rosa says.

“Thank you. Is anyone else joining us virtually? Your mother, perhaps?”

I wince.

Rosa says, “No, sir.”

One corner of my mouth kicks up. Yeah, Mama wants nothing to do with this family anymore.

It’s not our fault Mama decided to run away to Italy with a man soon after her husband died. But we’ve always suffered the consequences of that. I swallow a sigh.

“Thank you all for being here,” Mr. Davenport lays a hand on the stack of papers on the desk in front of him. “I know this is a sad and difficult time for the whole family.”

He takes off his glasses and rubs his eyes briefly.

Damn. He was Nonna’s friend as well as her lawyer. Of course he’s sad, too.

Clearing his throat, he taps the papers again. “Your mother” – he nods at Uncle Geno – “and grandmother” – he glances around the rest of the room, his gaze encompassing Rosa, Allegra and me via the smartphone, and our three cousins – “was a remarkable woman. She will be greatly missed. She also lived a full life, loved her family, and had very specific thoughts about her will and what would happen after she passed. Her greatest desire was that you remain a family, supporting each other, regardless of what’s in these papers.”

Nonna used to say family is the core of everything. I miss her so much already. My eyes sting and I bow my head as I blink back tears.

Mr. Davenport starts reading the documents in front of him, details about safe deposit boxes, life insurance, bank accounts. I don’t know why everyone has to be present for this. Uncle Geno has been running the family business since Papa passed away. Mama wasn’t interested in sticking around, so she gave up any connection to the business once she left the country (and her daughters) behind. Our generation? Well, except for Allegra and me, they’re all working for Uncle Geno in some capacity, or will eventually, but it’s going to be decades before they actually take the reins.To clarify—Uncle Geno’s sons will take the reins. Rosa already works for Uncle Geno, but I don’t see him giving her any control. I’m loving my life here in Argentina, working with a talented, knowledgeable mentor, making amazing wines. And Allegra? She’s busy traveling the world and when she’s done, who knows where she’s going to land.

“In regard to Belmonte Winery.”

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