Corked

When Catherine Rogers, a career-driven L.A. woman, loses her job, and her parents are killed, right before Christmas, her life is turned upside down. Catherine has spent ten years building a career as an investment banker. She is on the verge of closing the deal that will make her a partner when she is fired. Her boss, sensing a takeover, curries favor with the board and strikes before Catherine can have him ousted. Just as Catherine is addressing the situation with her boss. She receives a call from a local sheriff in Round Rock, Texas. Her parents are involved in a deadly roadside collision. The sheriff needs Catherine to come to Texas. While listening to the sheriff, Catherine’s office line rings. It’s her ex-fiancé, Matt Davis, a man who commands respect even on a computer screen. Catherine puts the sheriff on hold and answers her office line, but she’s distracted. A guard fills a box with her belonging. The guard reaches for a framed photo of Catherine and her parents. Catherine snatches the photo back. She hangs up on Matt and picks up her cell phone. Catherine goes to Texas to settle her parents’ estate. She is surprised to learn eighty percent of her inheritance is tied up in a local winery, Round Rock, purchased by her parents, sight unseen at auction. The estate attorney hands her an image of the property. It’s beautiful. With a picture-perfect image in hand, Catherine journeys to Round Rock. All is not as advertised. The winery suffers from years of neglect. Catherine demands the property be sold, but, in its current condition, there are no buyers. Catherine, drunk and disheveled, decides to renovate Round Rock. Catherine struggles with country living and demands from L.A. Her ex-fiancé is a substantial investor in her business deals. He wants her back in L.A. to finish what she started. He struggles to take “NO,” for an answer, and presses Catherine about her return. The community, Imogen, a kooky real estate agent who does double duty as the owner of the local funeral home, Declan, a monk, who works as a contractor, Father Dahl, an aging French priest who speaks to the vines, embraces her, and helps her to see what Round Rock can be. Catherine creates a business plan to make Round Rock a luxury destination for wine lovers. Her plan includes spa-grade barrel rooms, classes, and tastings. One problem, she’s out of money. She sells everything she owns. She pitches potential investors. No one is interested in the wine business until Imogene introduces Catherine to a women’s investment group. The investment group has reviewed her plan. They advance their cause by investing in one another and small local business that can make a difference in the community. With the money she needs to bring her plan to life, the winery comes to life. The barrel rooms are set on their foundations. Her social media posts featuring Red, a Jersey Giant rooster, interacting with guest drive bookings and media interest. For once, Catherine can see a future for herself. Then, tragedy strikes. A storm floods the winery. The vineyards are decimated, and the inventory is damaged. Father Dahl encourages Catherine not to lose hope. An unexpected phone call puts Catherine in a position to leave the mess in Texas behind and return to her comfortable life in L.A. Catherine has a decision to make. Will she go back to L.A. or stay in Texas and bring her parents’ dream to life with an epic Christmas celebration?