Fredo had found his niche and he was starting to make more money out of the wine than he ever had, living hand to mouth from the farm.

The hot Italian sun made the grapes grow full and large, and Fredo knew just when to pick them, when they were at their best.

Fredo and his best friend, Alfonso, whom he had known since childhood, picked the grapes together, after Alfonso’s farm fell on hard times and drained all of his funds. Fredo moved Alfonso and his family in with them, and gave him money to help pay off some of the debts he owed.

Alfonso had spoken many times of a cousin who lived on the other side of Italy. He was starting an import and export business and wanted Alfonso and his family to join him, but they couldn’t afford to go.

Alfonso was a good and trusted friend and after Fredo and Miriam had talked things through together, they felt they should help him.

Fredo had given Alfonso the equivalent of 500 pounds, a lot of money at that time, but the wine sales were taking off.

He had been sad to see his childhood friend leave, but had wished him well in his new venture.

‘I will pay you back, Fredo, every penny of this, I promise, someday I will pay you back for your kindness.’

‘We are friends, Alfonso, I do not want your money, only your friendship. There is no debt,’ said Fredo.

They had hugged each other, Fredo knowing that he would probably never see Alfonso again.

Shortly after Alfonso had left, the owner of a large restaurant in the city had come to taste Fredo’s wine and had liked it very much. They offered Fredo a regular contract but had written on the contract that they wished to purchase ‘Lambrianu Vineyard wine’, rather than ‘Fredo’s wine’.

Fredo and Miriam had both agreed that, while it would always be known as ‘Fredo’s wine’ to them, their surname did give the wine more class, and would be easier to sell, and so ‘Lambrianu Vineyard wine’ was born.

Their own son, Marias, had started working with his father as a young boy, and had learnt how and when to pick the grapes. He had seen the operation grow into a sizeable business. Fredo had taken a huge loan out, using the farmland and the house as collateral, and had used the money to pay for sterilising equipment, bottles and labelling.

But it had all been worth it. The vineyard had more orders than it could cope with and Fredo bought up nearby farmland, to plant more grapevines. It was all a great success.

Marias didn’t need to work the vines with his father, but they both still enjoyed it. Life was good for the Lambrianu family.

Then Marias had met Annette when she was visiting Italy, and had instantly fallen in love with her. Her pale skin and long blonde hair had bewitched him. He had taken her home to meet his parents and visit the vineyard, and when he had asked her to stay in Italy and marry him, she had agreed.