A noveau riche gentleman by the name of Mauro Larrea in Mexico City has recently learned that his dreams, hopes, and desires have come crashing down by a financial calamity in United States in 1861. Bankrupt and seeking to keep his family and reputation afloat, as well as doing his best not to jeopardize his profligate son's entrance into a distinguished family through marriage, Mauro Larrea borrows money under less than ideal terms and journeys to Havana, Cuba where he wins a plantation in Andalusia, Spain.

While in Spain he meets the mysterious and capable Soledad de Montalvo who has him beginning to question his own desires and wishes as well as what he truly desires from life.

The story is very rich in period details, be it the titled and moneyed families that occupied the high aristocracy of Mexico, to the gambling dens and houses as well as iconic landmarks of Havana, and the peace and contentment of Spain among the wine cultures. For me THE VINEYARD had earmarks of another novel I loved, THE MYSTERIES OF UDOLPHO by Ann Radcliffe which is also filled with details about the journey and the places the main character saw and experienced.

However, while THE MYSTERIES OF UDOLPHO had psychological examinations of various characters as well as complex plots going on at the same time and tension, THE VINEYARD lacks those characteristics; the characters lacked chemistry when it came to love and romance, the villain(s) of the story are one dimensional for me.

For a reader looking for an extremely detailed life of Mexican, Cuban, and Spanish people as well as rich period details THE VINEYARD is an ideal fit. But for a reader seeking a more complex novel filled with multiple plots, richly drawn characters and something that spans years, I would advise you to seek another story.