Uerdingen 1351: The Velten family wants to leave their homeland ravaged by the plague behind. They give up their farm and set out on the long journey to the Johannisberg monastery. They have received an offer from the abbot to lease the monastery's vineyards. During their journey, they encounter the Stauber family, who have faced the same fate and also wish to become winemakers. While traveling by ship, a dispute arises between the families, which ends in a tragic accident. Both the head of the Velten family and his brother die. The widow Isabel is devastated and faces a tremendous challenge: left alone with her children, she must cultivate the long-neglected vineyard. Her landlords, the monks, are by no means sympathetic to her. And the family Stauber, whom she despises, does everything to harm her.