Arestrup plays Paul de Marseul, a passionate and demanding winemaker dissatisfied at the prospect of his son, Martin (Lorànt Deutsch), taking over his vineyard. He dreams of a more talented successor, and finds him in the person of Phillipe (Nicolas Bridet), the son of his steward, François (Patrick Chesnais). M. de Marseul lavishes attention and praise on Phillipe while disparaging Martin's efforts, eventually inviting Phillipe rather than Martin to attend his investiture in the Legion d'honneur.