The Wizards of Wine
Wine is the lifeblood of the Barovian people. It is one of the only indulgences left to them. Without it, many Barovians would lose their last shred of hope and succumb to utter despair.
Although the Vistani often bring wine from distant lands, they share it infrequently. Thus, most of Barovia’s wine comes from one source: the Wizard of Wines winery and vineyard.
The Wizard of Wines was founded by a mage whose name is buried in the annals of history. The wizard fashioned three magic gems, each one as big as a pinecone, and planted them in the rich valley soil. These “seeds” gave rise to healthy grapevines, which produced sweet, plump grapes. Even after Strahd’s curse settled over Barovia, the gems kept the vines and their grapes from succumbing to the darkness.
The Vineyard
A branch of the Old Svalich Road leads to the vineyard. After a half mile, the road becomes a muddy trail that meanders through the woods, descending gradually until the trees part, revealing a mist-shrouded meadow. The trail splits. One branch heads west into the valley, and the other leads south into dark woods. A wooden signpost at the intersection points west and reads, “Vineyard.” A light drizzle begins to fall. Unpainted fences blindly follow the trail, which skirts north of a sprawling vineyard before bending south toward a stately building. The fog takes on ghostly forms as it swirls between the neatly tended rows of grapevines. Here and there, you see rope-handled half-barrels used for hauling grapes. North of the trail is a large stand of trees. A man wearing a dark cloak and cowl stands at the edge of the trees, beckoning you.The Winery
Situated in the midst of the vineyard, the winery is an old, two-story stone building with multiple entrances, thick ivy covering every wall, and iron fencing along its roofline. The trail ends at an open loading dock on the ground floor. A wooden stable of more recent construction is attached to the east side of the winery, next to the loading dock. West of the winery is a crumbling well and a wooden outhouse.Architecture
Ground Floor
Stables
The Martikovs keep two draft horses here and use them to pull their wine wagon.Loading Dock
Parked in the loading dock is a wagon with three barrels set in braces on the bed. A raised wooden walkway runs along the west, south, and east walls. Through a hole in the ceiling you see the wooden arm of a loading crane with ropes and hooks dangling from it. The south door has been forced open and hangs ajar. It can’t be closed properly until repaired, though it can be barricaded.Barrel Maker’s Workshop
Strips of iron and wood lie in neat piles on the floor of this workshop, the walls of which are lined with tools. Two worktables stand against the east wall. Wine barrels are made here. The north door is barred from the inside.Barrel Storage
Rows of new barrels fill this room. A narrow stone staircase spirals upward in the southwest corner. The room contains thirteen empty barrels.Veranda
Resting on a flagstone veranda are three five-foot-diameter wooden tubs, their insides stained with grape juice. Each tub has a short ladder bolted to its side and a catch basin tucked underneath. At the back of the veranda is a large set of sliding wooden doors as well as a normal-sized wooden door. Stone pillars and arches support the upper floor above. This veranda is where grapes from the vineyard are crushed into juice. The sliding wooden doors are chained shut from the inside, and the smaller door is barred shut from the inside.Well
A ring of tight-fitting, moss-covered stones encloses this 40-foot-deep well.Outhouse
Sweet-smelling herbs hang from the eaves of this ramshackle wooden outhouse, which has a small crescent moon carved into its door.Storage
Bare hooks line the walls of this storage room. Shelves to the south hold several pairs of stained wooden sandals with oversized soles. Both doors to this room hang open. The one to the west is fitted with iron brackets and leads outside into the rain. Lying on the floor next to it is a five-foot-long wooden beam.Fermentation Vats
The rich smell of fermenting wine fills this large, two-story chamber, which is dominated by four enormous wooden casks, each one eight feet wide and twelve feet tall. A wooden staircase in the center of the room climbs to a ten-foot-high wooden balcony that clings to the south wall, which has four windows set into it at balcony level. Stacked against the wall underneath the balcony are old, empty barrels with “The Wizard of Wines” burned into their sides. The balcony climbs another five feet as it continues along the west and east walls, ending at doors leading to the winery’s upper level. Underneath these side balconies are several doors, some of which hang open. Beneath the sloping roof stretch thick rafters, upon which scores of ravens have quietly gathered. They watch you with great interest. The four containers are fermentation vats, where grape juice is mixed with other ingredients and turned into wine. The easternmost cask has split in the back, creating a 6-inch-wide, 6-foot-high opening.Glassblower’s Workshop
A dirty window in the south wall allows dim light to enter this room. Wine bottles are manufactured here, as evidenced by the tools lying about, the wooden rack full of freshly blown glass bottles along the south wall, the hearth built into the southwest corner, and the barrel of sand standing next to it. A staircase descends underground, and between it and the rack of bottles stands a barred door.Spiral Staircase
This turret contains a stone spiral staircase. Windows in the outer wall allow light to enter. The stairs connect all three levels of the winery.Ramp
This turret has a sloping, wooden floor that spirals from the cellar to the upper levels. Scratch marks suggest that barrels are rolled up and down the ramp on a routine basis.Back Staircase
Thick moss covers the walls of this underground staircase. At the foot of the steps is a landing with an arched wooden door set into the north wall.Cellar
Wine Cellar
Wooden pillars and beams support the ten-foot-high ceiling of this ice-cold cellar, which is split in two by a five-foot-thick brick wall. A thin mist covers the floor. Each half of the cellar features an eight-foot tall wooden partition that doubles as a wine rack. The western rack stands empty, but the eastern one is half filled with wine bottles.Upper Floor
Loading Winch
This room has a wooden floor with a ten-foot-square hole cut into the middle of it. Looming over the hole is a wooden winch.Master Bedroom
This bedroom normally belongs to Davian Martikov but is currently being used by his daughter, Stefania, and son-in-law, Dag, while they raise their baby daughter.Kitchen and Dining Room
This room contains a rectangular table surrounded by eight chairs, an L-shaped cupboard, and a floor-to-ceiling closet pantry. Next to the pantry is a small iron stove. The cupboard holds dishware and eating utensils. The pantry holds cooking ingredients and the winery’s stores.Sleeping Quarters
Two pairs of bunk beds occupy this room. Against the west wall rest four identical footlockers. Davian Martikov, Adrian , and Elvir sleep in the westernmost room. Claudiu and his two younger brothers sleep in the easternmost room, where a few toys are scattered about.Printing Press
In this chamber are a desk, a chair, a tall wooden cabinet, and a strange contraption that takes up most of the northern end of the room.History
The winery is known for three wines: the unremarkable Purple Grapemash No. 3, the slightly more tantalizing Red Dragon Crush, and the rich Champagne du le Stomp. Ten years ago, one of the vineyard’s magic gems was dug up and stolen, and as a result, the winery stopped producing its best vintage, the champagne. No one knows what happened to the gem. Davian Martikov blames his son, Urwin Martikov, for the loss because Urwin Martikov was on watch the night the gem was taken. Davian is convinced that he shirked his duty to spend time with his betrothed, and the two men have been at odds ever since. To this day, Urwin Martikov steadfastly denies his father’s accusation.
Ever since then, the Vineyard has been under attack by presumable Baba Lysaga. Arti Fischer helped defend the area while it was under the strongest attack so far. The gem was a lucky find for Baba Lysaga, who had previously suspected that magic was the root of the vineyard’s health but knew nothing of its source. Even after this great discovery, she continues to send her scarecrows and druids against the winery, antagonizing them like a bad neighbour. Eventually, the druids returned with a horde of blights and drove Davian Martikov family from the winery. They’ve also poisoned the fermentation vats, leaving the winery with only a few bottles and barrels of drinkable wine.
