Wine Tasting Murder Mystery

6 - 8 Players

A Taste for Wine and Murder

This mystery is set in the wine region of Napa Valley, California. Five years ago, Barry Underwood, owner of the prestigious Underwood Wine Estates, mysteriously disappeared during the valley's annual wine festival. A massive search at the time failed to turn up any clues and the case has been in the FBI's unsolved files since then.

Now, five years later, it is once again the annual wine festival in Napa Valley. Last night, family and friends gathered at the stately Underwood mansion to celebrate. At midnight, a minor earthquake shook the mansion, causing an old wooden floor in the wine cellar to buckle. Barry's well preserved body was discovered under the cedar planks. It is a clear case of murder and you are one of the suspects.

The suspects are:

Tiny Bubbles - Barry's fiancee at the time of his death. Perky and pretty, Tiny has an effervescent personality and a razor-sharp mind. She is now married to the new winery owner, Ralph.
Costume Suggestion - An innocent girlish appeal. Skirt, polka-dot blouse, bows in hair, neat as a pin.

Otto Von Schnapps - A German wine merchant. Boisterous and fun-loving, Otto attends wine festivals around the globe, buying the best vintages for distribution in Europe. It is said Otto's preference for red or white can be influenced by green.
Costume Suggestion - German-styled short pants (Lederhosen) with suspenders, mountain boots, felt hat with feather and carrying lots of cash.

Marylin Merlot - Marilyn was crowned Wine Princess at the festival five years ago, then went on to become a Hollywood movie star. She's returned to Napa Valley for the Wine Festival and to gloat over her success.
Costume Suggestion - A sexy starlet look. Tight-fitting, sequin-covered dress, high heels, a daring hairstyle and a tarnished crown.

Ralph Rottingrape - Barry's first cousin and heir-apparent to the Underwood Wine Estates. Long considered the black sheep of the family, Ralph took over as manager after Barry;s disappearance and has been running things his way ever since.
Costume Suggestion - Bad-boy look: black shirt and pants, earing, stubbled beard and dark sunglasses.

Hedy Shablee - The owner of the neighbouring vineyard and a fierce competitor of the Underwoods. Barry's disappearance has uncorked a now vintage of toubles for unhappy Hedy.
Costume Suggestion - Flowered skirt, off-the-shoulder peasant blouse, sandals or bare feet, headband of flowers, carrying a basket of her best vintages.

Papa Vito - Brought over from Italy sixty years ago by Barry's grandfather to develop Underwood Wine Estates, Papa Vito has devoted his life to the vineyards. Now he just wants to retire and drink a little vino in the afternoon... Salute.
Costume Suggestion - Baggy workman's pants, checkered flannel shirt, vest, straw hat, old workboots and a bushy mustache.

Extra Guests include (non-suspects):

Bud Wizer - The F.B.I. Agent assigned to investigate Barry's murder. Bud is a beer-drinking man with no appetite for wine. He's determined to put a cap on this unsolved mystery.
Costume Suggestion - Cheap suit with beer stains, worn shoes, socks with holes and a pocketful of smelly cigars. Six-pack optional.

Bonny Lass - A Scottish tourist who has attended the wine festival while on vacation in California. A mystery writer and best-selling novelist, she knows a thing or two about hidden bodies and old wine cellars.
Costume Suggestion - Tartan skirt, Scottish tam, knee socks and white blouse.