1986: My Happy Life in Provence

Chapter 280 The Strange Sommelier

Now that we've talked about dreams, let's get down to practical matters.

The next day, Cafu arrived at Ronan's house early in the morning and discussed with him how many francs the upgraded studio would cost.

“Luberon has a cost-effective way of building stables and barns that will be sufficient for your workshop’s needs. There’s no need to build them as elaborately as your residence, is there?” Cafu offered Ronan’s perspective.

Ronan nodded:

"That's exactly what I want, not just the exterior, but also the interior shouldn't be overly decorated, the main focus should be on a sense of originality."

Cafu stomped his foot on the ground:
"The ground in the backyard was treated last time. The terrain here is flat and there is no need to reinforce the foundation. However, if we want to add a toilet, we will need to install a drainage system."

Ronan looked at him and asked:

"It shouldn't be too expensive, right? 2 to 3 francs?"

In Paris, installing a new drainage system might cost 5 or even 8 euros, but in Luberon, it's not that complicated.

Cafu shook his head:

"I don't need it, at most ten thousand."

Ronan was taken aback, thinking this was too cheap:

"I'll definitely need to build a set with running water and drainage, since I might 'work' here someday."

If Ronan does become a pastry 'artist' in the future, he will need a creative area; there is no place for him to work in the restaurant.

Cafu circled the old donkey shed again:
"There are quite a few usable materials here after the dismantling."

Ronan asked in surprise:

"It still works?"

Cafu looked left and right:

"There must be something usable, don't waste it."

Ronan said with a smile:
"it is good."

After going over all the details, Cafu began to settle accounts with Ronan.

“Following the method of building barns and stables, the cost per square meter is 400-600 francs, and the drainage is 10,000 francs—” Cafu frowned and pondered for a moment, “I will try to build it for you for under 75,000 francs.”

Ronan was taken aback:
"I have two floors, why did you only calculate the area of ​​one floor?"

Cafu waved his hand:
"The stables have a high ceiling, enough for you to use as two floors. Just add a floor in the middle, it won't cost much."

Ronan asked, both amused and exasperated:

"You're not going to lose money, are you?"

Cafu spent the whole morning helping him save money. Ronan understood that their relationship was different now than before.

But this price is way too 'Provence'!

Cafu scratched his head a couple of times in a憨厚 (honest and simple) manner:

"I used to make money from this, but don't you know the prices in Provence? Things aren't actually that expensive."

He chuckled and patted Ronan on the shoulder twice:

"But don't worry, in the future you will be able to enjoy the cheapest building and renovation prices in Provence, and I will also use the best materials for you."

The workshop upgrade increased the workload, and the brothers in Kafu also had their knitting business to keep them busy.

Last time they communicated that it would take about 6 weeks to complete the project, but now the project has been extended to 3-4 months.

However, Cafu assured that the woodworking workshop on the first floor would definitely be ready for use in March, so that Ronan and Zoe could continue decorating their wedding home together.

Cafu also said he would treat the studio like he was building his own house.

With the price being cheap and the brother being reliable, Ronan felt at ease.

However, to thank Cafu for his generosity, Ronan went to Apte that afternoon and brought in another batch of decorations for Aknina and Batti to distribute to the women.

The more Ronan does here, the more Cafu earns. Let's compensate him in this way.

The Ronan family's house hasn't been 'under construction' for a long time.

When the construction team moved into Ronan's house, they demolished the donkey shed in just over an hour and began digging a pit to lay the foundation. The villagers of Lurmalan, who had been idle for a long time, had something interesting to watch again.

"Oh dear, is someone building a house? Ronan's house is already big enough, are they going to build another one?"

"What do you know? Ronan has money; he can build whatever he wants."

"Exactly, he bought a house the month before last and is building a house this month. Ronan is making money at a rate that's like 'printing money'."

"Bought a house last month? What kind of house did you buy?"

"It's that shop on the commercial street! Ronan's restaurant only opened for a month before he bought it, which shows he has confidence in the commercial street. Didn't you know? Recently, many wealthy businessmen from other villages have come to Lourmaran to look at shops."

“If I had the money, I would rent a shop there too. It’s so cold, but there are people there every day. You can’t see this scene anywhere else in Luberon. Anyone who comes here can make money!”

Avignon, at a high-end cocktail party.

Dressed in a gorgeous gown, Astrid listlessly swirled the wine glass in her hand.

Every few minutes, someone would come over and offer her a toast.

When faced with toasts from those offering their drinks, Astrid would only take a small sip of red wine, showing none of the boldness she displayed when drinking rosé.

Perhaps because there were too many people 'disturbing' her, Astrid left her seat and went to a less crowded place, overhearing a conversation on the way.

"Have you guys been paying attention to Lourmaran lately? That godforsaken place has actually produced a commercial street with a huge flow of people."

"Of course I know. I also know that the Fox family inquired about the museum on Lourmarin shopping street six months ago, but for some reason, the deal fell through." "The Fox family is indeed impressive; their business acumen is terrifying. Lourmarin shopping street wasn't even operational six months ago. But the Fox family is going to build a perfume museum? They already have six in Provence and Paris combined, right?"

"That's the Fox family's business model. Let's talk about something else, that's not what we should be discussing."

"Let's get back to Lourmaran. I've heard that a nice Chinese restaurant has opened on Lourmaran's commercial street, which has brought in a lot of foot traffic, but unfortunately there are no shops left to buy there."

Suddenly, a maid appeared and blocked Astrid's path as she slowed down.

"Madam, there's a phone call for you."

Astrid frowned:
"Can't you see I'm hosting a cocktail party?"

The man said cautiously:

"It was President Ines again; she asked when you would have time."

Astrid's attitude softened slightly. She glanced at the red wine in her hand with disgust and said to the maid-like woman:
"Tell Ines that I will be available after 3 p.m. the day after tomorrow."

That evening, Ronan received a call from Ines, informing him of the time and place of the next gathering.

"The day after tomorrow?" Ronan was taken aback.

Previously, gatherings were announced 10 days to 15 days in advance. Are they all being organized so last minute now?

Ines had probably heard similar reactions from members before; she was embarrassed to explain the reasons to others, but it was fine to tell Ronan.
"Astrid has been very busy lately."

Ronan expressed his understanding:

"Understood, I will be there on time the day after tomorrow."

The location for this gathering is set at the Stellar Winery, and the theme of the gathering is already quite clear.

Ronan also hopes that Stellar Winery can find a good owner, so he will definitely go there the day after tomorrow.

Although Jacques had already conveyed the message, Ines still wasn't reassured and repeated it to Ronan:
"I will ask Astrid for help the day after tomorrow, and I hope you can help me if possible."

Ronan stated the facts as they were:

"Although the hope is slim, I still hope to help Jerome, and I will do my best."

Ines hung up the phone in a good mood.

With Ronan's help, the chances of success increased by at least 10%.

People in the association often joked in private that Ines was too 'favorite' towards Ronan, finding everything about him wonderful.

But Ines knew perfectly well that there was someone else in the association who truly 'loved' Ronan.

Stella de Stella is located in a vineyard more than 20 kilometers north of Avignon, and strictly speaking, it is also located in the famous Châteauneuf-du-Pape wine region.

Châteauneuf-du-Pape has over 3000 hectares of vineyards, producing more than 900 million liters of wine annually, making it one of France's most important wine-producing regions.

However, Châteauneuf-du-Pape appellation certification only includes white and red wines, so Stellaga Winery has never used the 'Châteauneuf-du-Pape' gimmick to promote itself.

Of course, even if it were to be associated with 'Châteauneuf-du-Pape', it wouldn't matter. The people of Provence simply don't recognize it.

Ronan recalled that at a party, Gabriel asked Jerome why he had built the winery near Châteauneuf-du-Pape, which seemed to offer him no help whatsoever.

Jerome's answer was both expected and unexpected.

He said that he chose this location back then because he was young and ambitious and confident that he could gradually turn the winemaking cooperative into a winery. More than 95% of the wineries in the Vaucluse province are in Châteauneuf-du-Pape, so he wouldn't have to move later.

“Jerome did it; he ran the best rosé winery in Provence,” Ronan said with a smile.

Ronan attended the event with Mr. Jacques as usual. After the car entered the Papal Neuf, the two talked about Jerome.

“Jerome only accomplished part of it—” Jacques said with a sigh. “When I first met Jerome, he was like you, aiming to get rosé wine recognized by the people of Provence. He not only opened a winery but also founded an association. To achieve this goal, he was even willing to hand over the presidency to Inés, who was more helpful to rosé wine. But now he has become the first among us to leave.”

Ronan sighed:

“Jerome is getting old, and people’s mindsets change.”

Jacques remarked with deep feeling:

"I hope that the number of our partners will not decrease any further."

Thinking of the key question, Ronan asked Jacques:

Do you know who's here today?

Ines will announce Jerome's decision today and mobilize these bigwigs in the province of Vaucluse to help find a new home.

The more people attend, the better the effect will be.

In fact, Ronan has yet to meet all the members of the 'Vaucluse Pink Lovers Association'. In the six months since he joined, several members have never shown up for one reason or another.

Jacques pushed up his glasses:
“Ines takes this gathering very seriously. Everyone who is ‘should be here’ will be here today. Oh, by the way, you haven’t met Theodore yet.”

Ronan turned his head to look at Jacques:
"Is he an official or a wealthy businessman?"

Ronan believes that these two professions are most useful in helping Stellar Winery find a new owner because they know and have access to a large number of people.

Unexpectedly, Jacques shook his head and said:
"No, neither. Theodore is a sommelier who knows almost all the wineries and wine cooperative owners in the Vaucluse province. Ines hopes to ask him if other rosé wineries are interested in taking over Stjesga."

Ronan was taken aback.

This person seems to be very important. How come they haven't attended any gatherings before?

After asking what was on his mind, Jacques replied with a smile:

"You might not believe it, but Theodore only tastes wine, he doesn't drink it. He gets drunk just from listening to the stories of parties where dozens of bottles of wine can be consumed at once."

(End of this chapter)