When the RV of the previous owner of a winery explodes in the driveway and a future co-owner is found dead on the patio, a fiery actress takes control of the case from a distracted deputy sheriff before anyone else dies at their Christmas gathering.

SYNOPSIS:

There’s an icy fall storm approaching for a Christmas gathering when a movie producer, BRANSON (60s), and his actress wife, SHERYL WRIGHT (50s), arrive to purchase the struggling winery from their son, EVAN (30s), and a previous co-owner, SUMMER YARBROUGH (40s). A rich and charming “power couple,” MARCEL (28) and AMELIA DUBOIS (28), arrives to co-sign for the prospective owners. Everyone is surprised when the other previous co-owner, JERRY YARBROUGH (50s), races up in an RV, blocks the driveway, and demands his private wine collection which is delaying the sale. Jerry has a bad temper, an ankle monitor, and a restraining order. Summer refuses Jerry’s demands and fires a shotgun at him. The RV explodes, presumably killing Jerry. Minutes later, charming Marcel is found dead from an apparent lightning strike on the back patio. The sommelier, TINA RYAN (30s), and CHARLIE TURNER (30s), a comically poor chef, are baffled. The inexperienced DEPUTY SHERIFF SETH WINDSOME (30s) is distracted by his girlfriend, Tina, the severe weather, and two victims.

The Sheriff suspects foul play and his interviews reveal few have alibies while motives are in great supply. Suspicion centers on Sheryl, who is suspected of poisoning four people two years earlier, including Jerry’s daughter (Evan’s wife) on their wedding night. However, Jerry, who has a history of domestic violence, may not be dead. The security cameras are disconnected and listening devices are discovered in the winery. Meanwhile, Marcel’s body shows only weak signs of electrocution, but has a contusion on his head, and stun gun scars on his arm. The Sheriff suspects Jerry in Marcel’s murder.

The search for Jerry unveils secrets about the others. A stun gun is found in Sheryl’s room, Branson has his bags packed for a quick getaway, and Amelia lusts for Evan. Tension escalates when four glasses of wine are found in the tasting room. Tina deduces that it’s the wine Jerry served on his wedding day to Summer from his private wine collection. The sale of the winery can now go forward once Marcel’s murder is solved. The Sheriff finally captures Jerry, but the murder remains unsolved with nagging loose ends.

The following morning, fiery Sheryl clears things up. She’s played detectives, lawyers, and cops in movies. How hard could it be to reveal the stories of betrayal, deceit, lust, and redemption? While the Sheriff is outside calling for backup, Sheryl holds court in the tasting room. The right to remain silent is completely ignored and Sheryl, Tina, and Evan form a crime-solving trio to identify Amelia and Branson as the real perpetrators. In the end, the perps go to jail, Sheryl and Summer get the winery, Tina and the Sheriff move to San Francisco, Evan goes off to law school, Charlie becomes a worse chef, and Jerry seems to disappear. It was a Christmas to remember.

WINE AND DIE (THE SEQUEL TO TWISTED VINES)