“Oh yes, it’s a big event for the family. They take great pride in their annual event. It’s a Baroni tradition and they are very approachable, very generous with their time.”
Perfect. “Forgive my ignorance but…how does one family run this operation so seamlessly?” I asked, pandering to the woman’s pride in her employer. “I’m surprised Castello di Baroni hasn’t been snapped up by a corporation by this point.”
“Oh no, signor, the Baronis are very close, very dedicated to keeping the business going privately and family operated as it always has been. Tradition is everything to them. They treat their employees like family, unlike those operations owned by bigger entities. We are very proud to be Baroni employees.”
Ah, that explained the loyalty.
“That’s amazing. American business could take a lesson in Baroni employment retention tenets,” I said, playing along. “So, Alessandra is the sole heir? She handles all of this on her own? No other family to help?”
“No, sadly, it is only Alessandra Baroni running things. Enzo, her twin brother, died when he was young, and everything fell to Alessandra. But she has more than risen to the occasion, wouldn’t you say?”
“Absolutely,” I said, seeming impressed. “She must be a powerhouse. A real modern woman.”
The woman giggled. “Oh yes, Alessandra is all that and more. She is bringing Baroni into the future even if her father is a little more reluctant to be so progressive. The wine industry is slow to change but Alessandra is a force of nature. She does not need anyone’s approval to make the big decisions. We are all so proud of her and what she’s doing.”
Realizing she may have said too much, the woman straightened with a quick smile. “I talk of things that are of no interest to you. My apologies, signor.”
“Not at all. I love hearing about the winery’s history,” I said, putting her fears to rest. I’d have to stop giving my younger brother shit for always using the Donato charm to get his way. I had to admit Nico was right, it was efficient. I smiled for Mia’s benefit, adding, “Will you be at the event?”
She blushed and shook her head. “Not this time. I have other plans, unfortunately.”
“More’s the pity,” I said, letting the innuendo drop between us before drawing a regretful breath and pocketing the invite. “Do you work on commission?”
Her cheeks pinked a little. “I receive a small bonus for sales,” she admitted.
I grinned and tossed down my black Amex card. “Then, I’ll need to buy a case of your Riserva. I know my father will go nuts over it.”
She flushed with pleasure and nodded as she prepared the paperwork to finish the sale. I had the case shipped to my father with the simple message, “A preview of your newest obsession,” and then with a smile left the gift shop with a plan forming.
I needed to get closer to Alessandra and this event tonight was just the venue I needed to make my move.
There were certain things in life that were irrefutable:
1) In spite of the recent spate of flat-earthers squawking to the contrary, the earth was, in fact, round.
2) No matter race, religious background or gender, everyone had a price.
And finally…
3) Women couldn’t resist a Donato in a tuxedo.
I chuckled at my private wisdom and headed for my hotel room.
Alessandra
UNA NOTTE MAGICA was an event my family held every year to celebrate a successful harvest. We spent a lot of money to ensure the attendees remembered the Baroni name. It was advertising at its most obscene. I tolerated it because business was more than just making sure your product was superior, it was also about making connections within your community and circle of influence.
It just so happened my circle of influence comprised old white men stuck in their ways, and suffering a night of their condescending snobbery was a waste of my precious time.
However, I wasn’t so foolish as to believe that I didn’t need their influence, particularly with the launch of Uva Persa around the corner, so I would play the game a bit longer.
My best friend, Sophia Russo, zipped my dress as I held my hair up. “Suck it in,” she advised with a laugh as she shrink-wrapped me into the black formfitting gown. I squeaked a little as the final stretch of zipper found its home and I slowly let out my breath as I turned to face Sophia. Her smile was radiant, if not a little sardonic. She quipped, “I hope you didn’t plan to eat tonight because not much else could fit in that dress.”
“Of course not, I’m too on edge to eat anyway,” I said, turning to put the finishing touches on my makeup. My thoughts should’ve been on tonight but my brain kept stubbornly throwing Donato into my mental theater, which was a fresh irritant to my already taut nerves. “If Alberico is there and tries to pressure me to dance with him, I’ll grind my heel into his insole.”
“His family expects you to marry him,” Sophia said. “Your pedigrees match up. It’s not a terrible idea, you know. He’s not ugly and he stands to inherit a sizable fortune. Plus, his family descends from the House of Medici so he has royalty in his blood.”
“Well, perhaps if the Italian monarchy hadn’t ended in the forties that might be something to crow about. Today, it’s simply colorful conversation and it means nothing. Besides, I’m not looking for a man to lend his influence. I’ve had enough of that nonsense and it’s time to make a change.”
Sophia sighed, shaking her head. “Always trying to change the world,” she said. “Enzo would be proud.”
Enzo had been Sophia’s one true love. His death had brought Sophia and me closer and we’d been thick as thieves ever since. She was the one I could trust with anything. If things had turned out differently, it might’ve been Enzo and Sophia making this historic leap into new pastures for Castello di Baroni, but fate had played a cruel game, taking Enzo and leaving me to push for change.
“I hope so,” I said, trying not to tear up and ruin my makeup. Enzo was my soft spot. I dabbed at my eyes. “Everything I do, I do with Enzo in mind.”
“I know you do but this is your accomplishment,” Sophia reminded me. “You push so hard in his memory that you overshadow your own talent. I’ve seen you do things that I’m not sure Enzo would’ve been able to handle.”
“What do you mean?” I asked. “Enzo loved this business.”
“Yes, and he was a dreamer. He loved the romance of the wine industry, not the business side of it. Sometimes I think because we lost him so soon we’ve idealized him. We can be honest about who he was without diminishing his character.”
Enzo’s memory was precious. Maybe Sophia was right. I did have a tendency to protect his legacy with a ferocity usually reserved for mothers and their children.
Sophia slipped her hand into mine. “But I do know that he would’ve been so extra proud of you for everything you’ve accomplished thus far. You’re the reason Castello di Baroni remains top tier, not because the wine sells itself. Even if your father does not see this… I do.”
I paused for a minute to gaze at Sophia with love. “You’re too good to me, Sophia,” I said.
She shook her head. “No, I only speak what I know to be true.”
Sophia would never lie to me nor would she fill my head with flattery simply to play to my ego. “I wish Enzo had lived so you