Original subtitles

Come on!

Show some spirit.

You must have envisioned this moment many times, boss.

Returning to the place that was once your home.

My home is where opportunities and business ventures are,

and I hope to soon finish the business that has brought me here.

Well, my friend, the die is cast, huh?

Let's hope things are quiet here, boss.

God only knows what we'll find.

Can I help you, sir?

I have business to discuss with Mr. Senén Blanco.

- Regarding? - That's a matter for me and the notary.

According to these documents, you are now the owner of real estate

consisting of "a house, vineyard, and winery

"acquired from Mr. Gustavo Zayas Montalvo."

Who, in turn, inherited them from Mr. Luis Montalvo.

If everything is in order,

I'd like to go and take possession of my new properties.

I trust there are no impediments.

No, no.

A will made in Havana officially puts everything on record.

And anything that is signed in Cuba is immediately effective in Spain.

What's the problem, then?

This is the house.

Looks like we're going to have to give it a polish, boss.

Hello. You must be Carmen.

Yes, ma'am.

Your aunts hired me when you wrote to them for help with the housekeeping.

Thank you. Have we met?

Yes. I mean, maybe you don't remember me,

but my family has always served the Montalvos.

You must've seen me running around the house as a child.

I'm one of Bernarda's daughters.

- Carmencita? - Yes.

My aunts couldn't have made a better choice.

- I'm so glad you're with us. - Thank you very much.

How did it come to this? How is it so neglected?

It's been a long time since anyone has looked after it.

I thought my cousin Gustavo would be here.

I don't really know about that.

I mean, maybe he came recently and I didn't hear.

Do you know who that is?

Angulo, the notary's clerk.

And him?

I don't know.

Let's talk to Senén, the notary.

- Maybe he can help me. - Let's go.

This gentleman is the new owner?

It can't be.

My cousin Gustavo is the rightful owner.

I'm sorry to inform you, ma'am, that things have changed.

The house, the vineyard and the winery

have legally changed hands.

They no longer belong to your family.

Was it my cousin Gustavo who made the transaction,

- after inheriting it from my cousin Luis? - That's right.

The property now belongs to Mr. Mauro Larrea,

a Spanish citizen residing in Mexico.

And it's perfectly legal?

Absolutely, ma'am.

Everything is officially certified by a Havana notary

whose integrity I have no doubt about.

For how much money did he buy the property?

Maybe we can still come to an agreement with him.

He did not acquire them by purchase.

It was a gift.

A gift?

He received nothing in return?

I don't understand.

I could have expected anything from my cousin Luis, but from Gustavo...

It's impossible.

Fatou, my friend, I want to thank you

for putting me up for these first few days.

By all means.

Don Julián Calafat's friends are always welcome in my house.

You can stay as long as you need to.

But tell me, Larrea,

is everything in order with regard to the matters that bring you to Jerez?

Well, so far...

I haven't seen either the winery or the vineyards,

only the house, which is in a sorry state.

I could have told you that.

But I didn't because I didn't want to look like a pessimist.

In any case, tomorrow I'm going to get a broker

to sell everything as soon as possible.

Then I deduce that you haven't even remotely

thought about going into business for yourself.

I'm afraid that, for now,

I'll have to return to Mexico to attend to urgent matters.

Although, in truth, between us,

in confidence...

What the hell am I going to do with wineries and vineyards?

I understand.

It's a shame, though.

I think you're not aware

that you're sitting on a goldmine.

I see I've interested you.

If ever there were two words that might have caught my attention,

it's precisely those.

I'm all ears.

THE NATIONAL DON JUAN PRIM Y PRATS

This is the club that houses the great estates.

Titans who trade their sherry all over the world.

Garvey, Domecq, González, Gordon, Williams...

Many of them sound like foreigners.

Yes. They call them the "Sherry Royalty."

The Royalty of Sherry.

And among them are some who, like you,

have returned from the Americas.

What scale of business are we talking about?

About one-fifth of the total volume of Spanish exports.

Spearheading the national economy.

And no business is lost to middlemen?

No, no, no, no, no.

For a few years now, the whole process has been run from here.

The vine is grown here,

the wine is aged here,

and it is exported abroad from here.

So the winemaker is the one who practically does everything.

He harvests, stores and exports.

That is exactly what old Don Matías Montalvo used to do.

His properties are now in your possession.

It's a shame that you don't want to revive a business that was once so prosperous.

My dear friend, my business is on another continent.

But in any case, let's drink to this.

Let's.

To liquid gold.

To liquid gold.

Come on, boys!

Don Mauro, I would like to introduce you to Don Amador Zarco,

an expert in property valuation and transactions of estates and farms

in the entire Jerez region.

Here are the details of all your new properties.

The vineyards, the farmhouses...

TOTAL VALUE OF GOODS - 46.483 PESETAS

...the winery located in Muro Street, a house in Tornería Street...

Is this the value of the property?

Indeed. And I assure you that my calculations are very thorough.

As you can see, it's a lot of money.

Although, Mr. Larrea, there is one issue

that affects the subsequent proceedings to a certain extent.

Do tell.

It's something we noticed when reviewing the last will of Don Matías Montalvo.

It is a hereditary clause laid down by the patriarch

regarding the indivisibility of the family's real estate.

Be clear, please.

Twenty years.

Twenty years what?

By an irrevocable decision of the deceased, it is established

that 20 years must pass from his death

until his estate can be dismantled and sold.

And when will that be completed?

In 11 and a half months.

That's almost a year.

This is how Don Matías

tried to guarantee that everything he built up with his labor

would not fall apart between different owners.

But nobody will ever buy everything together.

The price would scare off any potential buyer.

That's the point of it.

How much is your commission?

Ten percent is usual.

I'll give you 15 if you sell it within a month.

That will be very difficult, sir.

Carmen, where is the master? He's not in his room.

The master left a moment ago.

- With Palmer? - No. He was alone.

He was saying strange things.

That he wanted to see some gardens or something.

And that...

- That... - What?

That the weather in London was always bad

and that we had to enjoy when the sun was out.

What?

I don't understand.

I don't understand.

Get out of the way, madman!

Watch out!

What is that man doing?

Are you okay?

Tell me where you live and I'll take you home.

Carmen...

Ma'am, don't worry,

I won't say a word about what happened.

Thank you.

I'd love to know who saved my husband from being run over.

What's up, Santos Huesos? Did you like the gazpacho?

I feel it's a little bland.

The food here needs some spice.

No, it's you who needs some spice, buddy.

You look like a lost soul. What's wrong?

What can I say, boss?

I can't stop thinking about Trinidad.

I think I gave up too easily.

I just want to finish up here quickly so we can cross the ocean again.

I need to see her again.

We'll try to arrange that as soon as possible.

Besides, you'll want to hear from Marianita and Nicolás, won't you?

Of course. I think about them all the time.

Don't worry, we'll be back before the debt expires.

But now I need you to go out and find everything you need

to furnish at least two rooms in the new house.

I don't want to interfere, Don Mauro, but are you sure about us living there?

Well, now, stop being so particular.

You look like an old maid on her way to mass. Cheer up!

Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners...

There's someone asking for you, Mother.

She says she's your sister Soledad.

She just returned from England and wants to see you.

What should I tell her?

She'd rather not see you, ma'am. Go with God.

I see.

If she changes her mind, can you tell her we live in Cabildo Plaza?

I'll let her know.

Thank you.

Shrimp! We have shrimp!

Listen, Santos Huesos,

the first thing I'll do when we get back to America

is go to San Miguel to find your father and ask him for your hand, my friend.

But I'm in love with Trinidad, boss.

It was just a matter of handing out a few coins here and there.

Shall we take the luggage up, then?

No, let's leave it on the doorstep

so everyone can see it and think we're well-equipped.

Nobody has to know that this is all we have.

I'm going to have to carry it up anyway, whether it's now or later.

Go on, then.

Make way, make way!

God be with you.

We've been waiting for the young master for a few days.

We heard that you had taken over Don Matías' property,

and here we are at your service.

We can show you the inside of the winery and anything you wish to know.

You have worked here before?

I was the house barrel man for 36 years.

And my relative here, a few more.

Very well. Here are the keys.

No need.

You just need to push.

This is where the desks for the accounts and correspondence were kept.

But everything was swept away years ago.

Over here is the meeting room for visitors and business.

And there in the back was the cooperage.

So, what do you think?

I don't know if I'm in a wine cellar or a cathedral.

- Ma'am? - Carmen.

I need to ask you a favor.

But it requires your utmost discretion.

What's the matter? Don't you like the dancing?

Honestly, I don't care.

I smell heartache here. Was she very pretty?

What can I say?

To me, the prettiest mulatto in all of Cuba.

I see. And how come you left her there all alone?

It wasn't my decision.

Besides, I had to flee with my boss.

Why was that? You ran away?

Trouble with the law?

No. I don't want to talk about it.

You're the one who lives with the emigrant in the old Montalvo house, right?

If you're talking about the one in Tornería Street

where all the crumbling walls are about to fall down, yes,

that's us.

How did he end up getting those properties here in Jerez?

And why are you being so inquisitive?

Well, I used to work in that house with the old owners when I was a girl.

I wanted to know what had become of them. They were always very nice to me.

Don Gustavo is fine.

Nothing bad has happened to him.

That's good to hear. Thanks to Our Lady of Mercy.

I thought that, since he had inherited the house...

Don Mauro inherited nothing.

He won that house with his skills.

What kind of skills? If it turns out that he cheated...

My boss is no cheat.

That wager was legitimate, it was legal.

A wager? What kind of wager?

You sure are asking a lot of questions! Aren't you?

Do you think my tongue is as loose as the legs of that dancer there?

I'd better go.

Madam, I did as you told me and sought out the emigrant's servant.

And?

He told me that your cousin Don Gustavo is alive and well.

So you can rest easy on that matter.

What about the properties?

He wasn't so clear about that.

But he did mention something about a wager.

Mr. Larrea.

My name is Sol Claydon.

Although, for part of my life,

my name was Montalvo and I lived in this house.

I see.

I understand you've returned from America.

You were well-informed.

And that my cousin Gustavo Zayas transferred the properties to you.

That's right. It was through him.

For a reasonable price?

Let's just say it was an advantageous transaction for my interests.

I'm sorry for all the questions.

This situation has me very puzzled.

We recently completed all the formalities.

Everything is in line with the law.

If you have any doubts,

you can go and check at Mr. Senén Blanco's notary office.

I already have. Naturally.

I just wanted to let you know

that I'll be talking to a lawyer to review the whole procedure.

That's entirely within your rights.

It may interest you to know that I don't intend to keep the estate.

I'm just passing through Spain.

I've come to arrange for its sale and then to leave.

I see.

I think I should stop taking up your time.

If you wish to tour the house, feel free to do so.

Take as much time as you like.

It's strange, I never thought that...

That a stranger would give me permission to visit what was always part of my life.

These are strange times.

Excuse me.

Why all the brooding, boss?

Something has got into you, and I don't think it's breakfast.

That woman won't accept this new situation that easily.

And I don't think it's going to be easy

to sell all this as quickly as we thought, either.

People like us never get anything easy.

TO MR. MAURO LARREA

Carmen, I need you to deliver this letter, please.

Of course. I'll take care of it.

And tell Hudson to prepare dinner for three.

We may have a guest tonight.

Of course.

Carmen!

I need you to go get Dr. Ysasi.

Tell him it's urgent.

I'm going. I'm going.

Sol.

You look beautiful!

Manuelillo.

It's so good to see you.

What has happened?

The maid said it was urgent.

I hope I can still count on your friendship and your love.

Yes, of course!

I need to ask for your help.

But especially your discretion.

I don't know what I can tell you that you don't already know.

So you're confirming the diagnosis they made in London?

I'm not a specialist in this kind of disorder, but...

But I'd say so.

I don't have much reason to hope.

I'm afraid not.

Edward isn't in possession of his wits right now.

But he owns the business,

and if word gets out that he has lost his mind...

we will lose all the contracts we have.

I see you've inherited your grandfather's cold-bloodedness for business.

It's not cold blood.

I'm just thinking about my family.

Sol, I will do everything in my power to alleviate this situation.

But the attacks are going to be more and more frequent.

We have a guest for dinner tonight.

Manuelillo...

Will you stay for dinner? Please.

Of course.

Good evening.

Good evening.

Thank you for accepting my invitation, Mr. Larrea.

It's my pleasure, Mrs. Claydon.

Allow me to introduce my friend, Dr. Manuel Ysasi.

And excuse my husband. Because of some unavoidable commitments,

he won't be able to join us tonight.

This oxtail is unbeatable.

Not to mention this...

oloroso?

Are you still in your family's business?

No.

We are no longer winegrowers,

but we do sell the wines that others produce.

That's how Sol met Edward,

in one of his business dealings with La Templanza.

Speaking of La Templanza... Forgive me for being blunt, Mr. Larrea...

But since you plan to sell it,

I wanted to ask you to consider me as your first preference.

Dr. Ysasi is a friend of many years,

we are in each other's confidence.

Perfect.

I'd be willing to sell you the property for 30,000 pesetas.

You mean the house?

I mean the entire estate.

May I ask why that figure?

It's an amount that would give me and my children peace of mind.

However,

I would need the transaction to be made as soon as possible.

I see.

It would be difficult for me to get that kind of money at the moment.

It was you who saved my husband?

It was nothing.

Thank you so much.

Mauro, why don't you let me show you La Templanza?

What do you think?

I never imagined that my family's estate would end up in the hands of a man

who wanted to sell it all.

Well...

He doesn't seem like a bad guy.

He saved Edward's life.

Bad news?

The worst.

Come on.

What do you think?

It's a shame no one's taken care of them all these years.

You should have seen them when they were well taken care of.

The soil in this region is very peculiar.

White and porous.

Albariza. It retains moisture extraordinarily well,

storing winter rain for later, drier seasons.

It is one of the fundamental elements that make our wines

one of the most famous in the world.

Are you okay?

Yes.

And the grape, palomino, which withstands drought very well.

It came from Flanders in the mid-16th century...

Is there a problem with your husband?

Has he had another attack?

Because I wanted to tell you that I would never make his condition public.

It's not my husband, it's his son.

Some time ago, to protect my husband's business,

I made some transactions

and signed some documents with my cousin's name.

But that's illegal.

I know.

But I had no choice.

So what has happened now?

A lawyer is coming from London to see my cousin Luis.

And he will discover that the current state of your cousin,

dead and buried in Havana,

is not the ideal state to be signing contracts

or selling shares.

It's my husband's son who's sending the lawyer.

He's been trying to destroy me ever since he met me.

I don't see how you can explain what you've done.

I don't either.

Sorry, I don't know why I'm telling all this to a stranger.

Thank you.

Mr. Larrea, what are you doing here?

Here's your cousin Luis' death certificate,

his residence card, and the burial certificate.

All these documents were personally handed over to me

by your cousin Gustavo Zayas

so that the veracity of the transfer of property could be proven.

Why did you bring them to me?

I'm sorry, I can't deal with this right now, the lawyer is here.

In that case,

I couldn't have come at a better time.

Here are the gentlemen I was telling you about.

- Good morning. - Good morning.

Gentlemen, my name is Luis Zayas.

I understand you need to talk to me.

I'm Jonathan Wells, and this is my secretary.

Mr. Wells is an attorney and is here representing my stepson, Alan Claydon.

So you're Mrs. Claydon's cousin?

Indeed.

And, for the record, let me...

Here's my residence card, so that there's no misunderstanding

and my identity is clear for all intents and purposes.

Very well.

I'm at your complete disposal.

I can't find the words to thank you for what you've done for me.

Hopefully they'll leave you alone from now on.

There's a lot left for me to accomplish.

This was only one battle in the great war against my husband's son.

Then allow me to offer myself as your ally

whenever you need it.

Thank you.

I, in turn, would like to do something for you, Mauro.

Let me help you sell La Templanza.

To get the best possible price.

You'd do that?

That land runs in my blood.

I've neglected it long enough.

Boss.

Mrs. Claydon's maid is here.

She wants you to go to her house right away, it's very urgent.

Mauro, thanks for coming.

In her delirium, she keeps repeating your name.

Who are you taking about?

A woman who came here and claims to know you.

She's not making any sense. She's mentioned your name several times.

- My name? - Yes.

Unrelated, meaningless phrases. And something about a wager.

Do you know her?

Mauro Larrea...

LA TEMPLANZA BASED ON THE NOVEL BY MARÍA DUEÑAS