Three wine critics from the Vinifera wine magazine make a wager on the production of a vintage sparkling wine from one of three small vineyards in London, France and the United States. The wager -- 50,000 pounds to the winner from each of the two losing critics. Add to that the incentive their boss sets before them -- 100,000 pounds to the winning vineyard and 50,000 pounds to the winning critic. The critics set out to select their vineyards and champion their selections, then wait for the wines to be judged in five years.

Supermodel Christina Morgan has been given Villa Bacchante, a Napa Valley vineyard, as a first-anniversary gift from her husband, a famous-actor. Christina has little interest in it until she learns her husband has been unfaithful, claims she is to blame and files for divorce. Picking up the pieces of her life, she gets involved in the first harvest and is truly happy for the first time in a very long time.

Madeliene Arsanault inherits her father's estate, Champagne Arsanault, upon his death. She is forced to move from London back to France to settle his affairs and run the vineyard. Finding that he had a great deal of debt, Madeliene is forced to come up with a creative solution to keep the vineyard from going under or having to sell the estate. After the first harvest, she realizes she belongs in France and is determined to make a go of it in the wine industry.

Kelly Elson, an 18-year-old London hotel chambermaid, learns she's inherited a vineyard from a father she never knew. She is swept away to Froggy Bottom in Sussex, England, where she detests everything and everyone. Kelly has no interest whatsoever in any aspect of the wine business. She sleeps late, parties with friends and is as contrary as she can be, until she experiences her first harvest and learns that she actually does enjoy this new career.

Mathieu Randon, an unscrupulous international entrepreneur, is eager to purchase two of the vineyards in this contest to add to his empire, Domaine Randon. His methods are less than honorable in his endeavor to destroy the young ladies who own the vineyards. Nothing and no one gets in his way.

Which vineyard wins the award and the money? Which critic earns the cash? This first novel from Olivia Darling is truly VINTAGE. Set on the international stage, the sex is steamy and the champagne flows freely. There is glamour, power, revenge and survival, not to mention murders and mayhem that are sure to intrigue.