Grandfather! How long has it been since you came to the valley and planted your first vine from Italy? I remember how you use to hold me on the saddle, ridding through the fields, and teaching me about the land and the vineyards, and how precious they are together. Seems like only yesterday.

I think of all the people who've come to the valley: Chase, Maggie, Cole, Vickie, and that feisty Melissa Agretti; and Erickson, killed in the plane crash that almost killed all of us - but I was spared to carry on your heritage.

Julia is safe and happy in the convent, and Emma and Frank will both be coming home soon. And Stavros - ooh it was tempting, Grandfather, but in the end you knew I could not follow him to Greece.

Training Lance to take my place has been a challenge, but I think he's coming around. And for the first time, Richard and I are beginning to understand each other. Meanwhile, I'm going to do everything I can to keep the vineyard and the winery the jewel of the valley, just as you always dreamed it would be.

Yes, the past has its place; but I'll keep looking to the future. After all, there's a wedding today; children are playing, more children on the way; and of course, the land - always the land. People come and go, but the land endures.

"A toast to you Falcon Crest, and long may you live," Angela said, as she held her glass up in a toast to the land.