THE POPE'S GOLD

Nick Manicapelli is having a bad week. His girlfriend has left him and his San Francisco-based wine distribution company has been devastated by an earthquake. A surprise letter from Italy informs him of the sudden passing of his uncle and his subsequent inheritance of a vineyard. Rather than sell his uncle's holdings as suggested by the lawyer handling the estate, Nick flies to Italy to see the property for himself.

What he finds isn't encouraging - a rundown fattoria (Italian farm) and acres of untended grapevines. However, his family has always been involved in the wine business and with his personal and business life in a shambles he decides to see what he can make of the place, temporarily moving to Italy. Nick's life becomes complicated with a new romance, another earthquake and an ancient mystery as he and his new friends take on the local crime syndicate and an unscrupulous neighbor intent on owning the property at any cost.