‘Exactly. Let me show you the rest,’ he suggested. This time he took her down his own drive, passing his Alfa Romeo and then the house, to the open area that provided the same glorious vista as Lucia’s and Durante’s terrace. ‘It’s getting dark but I think you can make out the vineyard and winery owned by myself, Papà and my brother Emiliano.’ The buildings were a cluster of lights and the mountains mere shadows in the twilight. He embraced the valley he loved with widespread arms. ‘The estate, the company and the wine label, they’re all called Tenuta Domenicali. Now Papà’s older, Emiliano takes the lead in the production cycle, planting vines, nurturing them, harvesting the grapes, seeing the wine through fermentation and bottling. Orvieto Classico’s our main focus but we produce some Sangiovese.’ He grinned. ‘When Papà was the winemaker he flew by the seat of his pants. All his life’s been like that – trying things and somehow making them work. Emiliano, though, he’s a winemaker of repute, very measured and insightful. My role’s about developing the brand and getting the wine to buyers.’

She listened, nodding, following his gestures with her gaze.

He let his eyes rove over the vineyard and the buildings, one of which had once been the home where his mother Elvira had helped her sons with their homework one moment and hosted a big party the next. Generous, open-hearted, Elvira had been a stark contrast to the woman who lived there now. ‘Lucia’s obviously explained a big organisation wants to buy Tenuta Domenicali, Il Rifugio and Bella Vista to create a centre for wine tourism. The houses and the cottages would be for high-end guests who’d enjoy the exclusivity and the view.’

‘Agriturismo for rich folk?’ She smiled faintly.

‘Exactly. And, most of all, Binotto’s want my access. You can’t see well in this light but down the side of the vineyard—’ he pointed ‘—there’s a connecting track. They could upgrade it to make a road to bring in coaches of the tourists who “follow the wine” through Umbria, Assisi, Montefalco and Orvieto. Visitors could tour the winery and buy the bottled product. Tourists have money to spend. Binotto’s would advertise in the right places to the right clientele.’

She tilted her head. ‘Why’s this access important? People must drive into the vineyard now.’

He pointed again, though she had no chance of seeing the lane into the vineyard. ‘There’s a rural road further down the valley. As a small producer, being serviced by small and medium-sized trucks is no problem. But …’ he drew out the word, ‘the road past the end of my drive is major and links to Orvieto and Rome to the south and Arezzo to the north. Coaches could come across Il Rifugio to the vineyard.’