Heather set her glass down on the granite counter.

“The 2009 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon,” Pierre announced.

He had said it out of habit before pouring her a small glass. Employees drank for free, and if you put up working for Landon’s Vineyards, you definitely needed the free wine.

“Jeff came in this afternoon to greet the customers,” Pierre told Heather. “He sold two cases in two hours. Then he asked why I wasn’t trying harder to push the product.”

Heather scoffed. She hated Jeff Landon as much as every other employee. He was a jerk, and his wine was good but still overpriced. Heather and Pierre both knew that if Pierre had said more than, “Estate Reserve Rosé,” Landon would have harassed the boy for interrupting him.

The job paid well, and it paid in wine as well.

“He’s such a tool,” Heather assured Pierre. “I’ll take the Rouge Heureux next.”

Pierre picked up an open bottle.

“Oh,” the woman giggled, “I meant that I would take a bottle of it, but I’ll have a glass before I head home then.”

Rouge Heureux. Supposedly it meant “blissful red” in French—a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and Syrah. It happened to be Heather’s favorite Landon’s Vineyard wine. Even though she knew for a fact that Jeff Landon had gotten the name from an online translator.  

Heather finished her wine and slammed the glass on the counter before Pierre even had a chance to finish wrapping her bottle. 

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On location Monday:

A winery