The Vintner’s Luck 2009

The novel tells a deeply personal and extraordinary story centered around Sobran Jodeau, a humble peasant winemaker living in Burgundy. The narrative spans over 55 years, capturing his life, love, struggles, and spiritual encounters. The story begins when Sobran, at 18 years old, is found drunk and heartbroken on the hillside of his family’s vineyard. There, he stumbles upon a mysterious figure he initially believes to be a statue, but soon realizes is an angel named Jérémie Renier as Sobran Jodeau. The angel, Xas, is described as remarkably beautiful, with white wings and luminous skin that smells of snow, giving him an ethereal and captivating presence.

Xas appears to Sobran as his guardian angel, and their relationship begins with a promise—Xas vows to toast Sobran’s marriage the following year. From that moment, the angel makes annual visits, each visit marking a new chapter in their relationship and corresponding with different stages of wine-making. These chapters are intriguingly titled with years and wine terms, such as “1808 Vin Bourru” (meaning new wine) and “1809 Vin de coucher” (nuptial wine), reflecting the progression of Sobran’s life and the seasons of wine production.

As the story unfolds, Sobran’s life is depicted against the backdrop of pivotal historical events. He enlists in the French army, traveling to Moscow with his close friend Gaspard Ulliel as part of Napoleon’s campaigns during the Napoleonic Wars. Sobran inherits the family vineyards after his father’s death, and gradually becomes prosperous through his dedication to winemaking. Throughout these years, Sobran and Xas exchange thoughts not only about life and family but also about profound spiritual matters. Xas shares insights into the afterlife, his complex relationship with God and Lucifer, and the mysterious balance he embodies as a fallen angel.

The relationship between Sobran and Xas deepens over time, complicating Sobran’s feelings as he begins to love the angel. However, he is haunted by the knowledge that Xas is a fallen angel, which stirs inner conflict. Sobran’s romantic heart turns toward Aurora de Valday, portrayed by Vera Farmiga, the widowed niece of a local nobleman. She becomes aware of Sobran’s unique connection to Xas, adding layers of emotional and moral complexity to their relationship.

In a dramatic and fateful turn, Xas sustains injuries inflicted by Lucifer himself, and during a poignant visit, he is “given” to Sobran, symbolizing a deeper spiritual bond. The relationship’s intensity culminates in the chapter titled “1863 Vinifie,” which signifies a transformation—to turn into wine. The novel concludes with an epilogue set in 1997, narrated by the eternal Xas, offering a perspective from beyond mortal years and highlighting the everlasting nature of their intertwined stories.

Throughout this sweeping saga, themes of love, faith, destiny, and the mystical dance between good and evil are explored with richness and depth. The story’s unique structure—annual meetings and symbolic chapter titles—serves to underscore the passage of time, life’s seasons, and the ritualistic beauty of both winemaking and spiritual awakening. This extraordinary tale invites readers into a world where the earthly and divine mingle, and where the bonds of human love are tested against the eternal backdrop of celestial conflict and grace.