Thirty-eightAristide knew he would relive this moment for years to come.
The breath-sucking instant when Vino d’Oro was announced as one of the finalists in the Golden Gate Symposium Wine Awards. Selected by the august judges as one of eight wineries whose vintage had been deemed worthy to continue on to the final round in a few days, poised to win the Saturday Gala event.
His heart leapt to his throat. His eyes met Russell’s dark glittering orbs, as they both jumped to their feet, clapping and cheering with the rest of the crowd, propelled by a sense of elation he’d never before experienced.
He flashed Russell an exuberant grin. “Your thousand bucks is safe. I wouldn’t want that on my conscience.”
They cackled with laughter.
Everyone in the banquet room was on their feet, giving a st
