Flynn glanced at her then back to the road. “I think I took a lot in by osmosis. I was kind of submerged in winemaking from birth.” He chuckled. “I guess that helped. I used to concoct wine brews in the kitchen. Then I studied and travelled overseas. I spent four years at uni in Adelaide.”

“South Australia?”

“Yes. It’s a renowned course and I wanted to…try somewhere different for a while.”

“Did you see much of the state?”

“Mainly the wine-growing areas. I visited quite a few including the Clare Valley but the Adelaide Hills was closest, I have a good mate there, and I spent time in the McLaren Vale region.”

“I live near McLaren Vale.”

“It has a similar climate to this region. We both benefit from the sea breezes.”

Keely sat back and watched the scenery. Sometimes the trees along the road were so thick you couldn’t see what was beyond them, then a break would give a glimpse of rows of vines or paddocks with cows grazing in the sunshine. It was funny to think that Flynn had spent some time in her patch of Australia. She wondered if they had ever passed each other, oblivious to the fate that would one day bring them together on his home turf.

They drove through Margaret River. It was a glorious afternoon, sunny with a gentle breeze. Groups of people strolled along the footpaths on either side of the main street.

“If we had a cellar door, we could be attracting some of these people to try our wines.”

Keely glanced at Flynn. She wasn’t sure whether he was speaking to her or himself.

He gave her a quick grin. “You may have noticed Euan and I have opposing views on the subject.”

She looked back to the people in the street. “I had assumed all wineries had a cellar door. I guess they’re the only ones I know about.”

“Precisely my point.”

“I thought Euan said you sell all your wines through distributors.”

“We do at the moment but I’d like to try something different with the Haystack range. I’ve only got this dry white you’ll taste today and a shiraz that’s nearly ready to bottle. They will be cheaper than our usual Levallier Dell wines. I’d like to have tastings and have our complete range available at the cellar door.”

“I guess you’ve tried to discuss it with him.”

Flynn strummed the steering wheel with the fingers of one hand. “Many times, but Euan doesn’t like to be pinned down and he doesn’t like change.”

“Maybe the Divine Wine and Dine weekend will be the way to show him it can work.”

“Possibly, but he’s not keen on that idea either.”

“I’d love to stay and be part of it. That’s if I can be of any help,” she added quickly.