Maurice George O'Shea, legendary winemaker, was also a man of passion. His romance with Marcia Fuller, his enduring sweetheart, was a many-faceted and, like other great loves in history, it was not without huge obstacles. Not the least was Maurice's other great love – his passion for making fine wines. Maurice and Marcia were also tested by religious differences, long separations, and career and health setbacks. Despite all, he loved her from the day they met until the day he died.The Vintner's Letters is a fictionalised account of the often stormy relationship between them. It is, however, based on the true story.If James Busby was the founder of wine growing in the Hunter Valley, it is equally true that its greatest exponent was Maurice O'Shea. No other vigneron anywhere in Australia has ever made better wine. In fact, some of his finest wines have been at least as good as, if not better than, anything in the world.Maurice's success with wine was due in part to the fact that he was a true artist. He used wines like a painter uses colours and textures. He had certain aims and standards, which he constantly improved, and he spared no effort to achieve a desired result in a wine once he had formed an assessment of its potential.