After discoveringThe Witcher 3’sBeast of Beauclair’s unfortunate motivations and identity, Geralt has something to present to the Duchess. While the information isn’t much to go on, the letters stolen from Dettlaff’s dwelling provide a vital clue; a wine stain.

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Geralt stands in a courtyard in Beauclair as he is summoned by the Duchess to report on his progress.

While it’s little more than a detail to Geralt, the Duchess can glean far more from the stain than even the witcher. With the help of her sommelier, the group learns that the wine belongs to a specific vintage exclusively consumed by the ducal household. That’s all they need to seek out their next lead, the vineyard responsible for the vintage’s production.

Returning To The Duchess

WithWhere Children Toil, Toys Waste Awaycomplete, Geralt will have toreport to the Duchesswith everything he’s learned about the beast. She’s overlooking the city from the palace, accompanied by Damien de la Tour.

While Geralt’s employers are disappointed with his inability to kill the Beast, they capitalize on his findings, discovering that the blackmailer had somehowconsumed Sangreal,a vintage exclusively consumed by the Duchess and her family. She decides topursue the lead in person,giving you the choice ofleaving immediatelyorat a time of your choosing.

A screenshot of Geralt’s Witcher Senses highlighting a book in red as he inspects it.

You will have tosave some traders from a pair of panthers along the way.The beasts are difficult, but not impossible to kill.

Youcan flee from the panthersif you so choose. Be prepared for the Duchess and Damien will be all too prepared toadmonish Geraltfor the act as a consequence.

A screenshot of Geralt finding the correct barrels of wine in a cellar.

Investigating The Vineyard

At the vineyard, you meetFabricio,the man responsible for its operation. His initial rudeness towards Geralt is quickly quashed by the Duchess putting him in his place anddemanding the key to the Sangreal cellar.She will bring Geralt inside tosearch for the relevant barrels.

You are looking for the barrel ofSangreal from 1269.It’s tougher than it sounds thanks to the abundance of wine in all its varieties in the cellar. The 1269 Sangreal ison the second floor, at the south end.The Duchess tries to detect tampering byknocking on each barrel,though that will not yield any results.

A bald guardsman holds his crossbow ready as a gang of bandits get out of a cart in an abandoned castle.

Resorting to inspecting each barrel personally, she asks Geralt toget a mallet and barrel tap.Both can be foundon the lower floor of the cellar.The former ison a barrel on the north sidewhile the latter isin a crate on the south side.

The method works, with one of the barrels beingfilled with filth instead of wine.Incensed, the Duchess demands answers from Fabricio. He spills the beans, explaining that he hadsold the barrels to a Cintrian manin exchange for a fortune. Asecond barrel is ready for delivery.

A large, tattooed man with an arrow through his body turns around in fear as Geralt stands next to him.

Setting The Ambush

Geralt decides toambush the buyer to get answers.Once again, you may choose if you willgo there immediately or later.The bandits buying the winerealize that something is offas soon as they spot Geralt. Damien intervenes,springing the ambush.

This is alarge, chaotic battlewith Geralt fighting alongside Ducal Guardsmen and against a well-trained group of bandits. You’ll have tokill all the banditsto win.

It’s easy to get lost in the melee and overwhelmed. You can even the odds bydetonating a pile of barrels on the rightimmediately after the fight starts.

The gang leader, Hornitz, ismore skilled than his lackeysand will put up a fight. It’s best toleave him for last,to bothavoid his men taking potshots at Geraltand tolet the guardsmen weaken him first.

With the battle won, the group takesa prisoner to interrogate.Your dialogue choices here lead to the same result; all the man knows is that the man orchestrating the operation isthe Cintrian.The Duchess will ask Geralt to meet her at the Ducal Guard Post to plan their next move and towait for Damien to complete an investigation of his own.You canfollow her immediately or find your own way there.

If you are strapped for cash,make your own way to the guard post.The slain bandits havevaluable weapons itching to be sold, andthe wagonholds a chest full of gold.

Geralt and the Duchess have to wait for Damien to return, with the captain learning that the conspiracy goes far deeper than any of them expected. Fortunately, his investigation hints that the Cintrian will be atan artists' party.The Duchess orders Geralt to join her there, where they will try to discover the Cintrian’s identity. The quest ends here, with the quest,The Man from Cintra,next.

Next:The Witcher 3: Complete Guide And Walkthrough