Wizards of the Wine

The Wizards of the Wine is a winery owned and operated by the Martikov family for generations and located south of Krezk. The winery supplies the entire Barovian valley.

The Archwizard Khazan called the wines produced by the winery “the finest vintage he had ever tasted” claiming they exceeded the flavor of famed wines imported from exotic locales. The winery offers only three varieties: the readily available Purple Grapemash #2, the full-bodied and delicious Red Dragon Crush, and the exquisite Champagne de la Stomp.

While he admitted he could not prove it, the Archwizard speculated that magic must have some role in the creation of something so refined. Davian Martikov would confirm this was true to Hallgrimm Mikkenson and Narid Ashplantt, advising that magical gems were used to grow the crops required, however these had steadily been stolen.

The winery also contains some kind of refrigeration system powered by heat absorbing brown mould in a hidden room in the basement.

History
According to the History of Barovia, after Barovia’s descent in darkness, the Wizard of Wines Winery remained in production. Crops across the of the valley became sickly, their produce bereft of flavor. The grapes of the Wizard of Wines, however, remained succulent and its wine - delicious.

The Wizard of Wines was operated by the Krezkovs, a noble family of repute, however when they were charged by Strahd von Zarovich with leading reconstruction efforts in Krezk the winery changed hands from the Krezkovs to the Martikovs and the latter began distributing the product for free to the taverns of Barovia as a service to the valley’s oppressed residents. They offset their costs by selling private reserves to the valley’s more affluent residents.

As commerce across the valley diminished over time, the Wizard of Wines’ product became one of the last remaining indulgences left to most Barovians.

Recent history
All inns across the valley began to report shortages of wine and it was believed there was some problem with the production as the Wizards of the Wine.

When the party of Hallgrimm Mikkenson, Sigismund, and Narid Ashplantt approached the winery they found the Martikov family hiding in the forest nearby. Davian Martikov explained that three druids from Yester Hill had attacked the winery forcing the family out; Davian initially advised he did not know why they had attacked.

Encountering fierce opponents, the party were able to defeat two of the druids, however the third managed to escape to the south towards Yester Hill. Whilst inside the property the party found five further gems of differing colours hidden within a storage chest but did not take or disturb them. They also found a heart locket with a picture of a woman bearing a striking resemblance to Danika Martikov. Davian would later confide in the party that the woman was his late wife, Angelica Martikov.

He also admitted that they did use magical gems in the production of the wine and that the three for producing the three trademark varieties of wine were different, more magical and valuable, but were now all stolen. He accepted that the gems were probably what the druids were searching for, and they succeeded in finding.

Using this gem the druids completed their ritual summoning of Wintersplinter, and it attacked the winery. The druids' plans were ultimately foiled by Hallgrimm and Narid again, this time alongside Eklyre Temere and Zrazire Caluhazan. The stolen gem was this time returned to the Martikovs.

Missing gems

 * Champagne de la Stomp - lost 30 years ago - Strahd stated at the meal with the party that he had repurposed this gem for something of greater importance - his Heart of Sorrow.
 * Red Dragon Crush - lost a month ago - tracked by Davian to Berez and being used by Baba Lysaga to animate her hut, retrieved during the battle in which she was defeated.
 * Purple Grapemash #2 - taken by the druids to Yester Hill for their Wintersplinter ceremony, retrieved after Wintersplinter was defeated.

Paying customers

 * Strahd von Zarovich
 * Krezkov family
 * Vallakovich family
 * Wachter family