Vineyard Nobility

The group known as the Vineyard Nobility sprang up as a result of the newfound prosperity in the western Shield Lands within 100 years of the region being retaken from its previous demi-human conquerors. 
Towns and cities grew in the western regions, which were the farthest away from the wildlands, danger, and creatures in the Dragonspires. While fortresses and fortified estates abounded, a group of young nobles with newly acquired lands and wealth sought out estates around each other. The Crown bestowed some keeps and fortresses to these new young nobles, however the choicest lands were often redistributed to more powerful nobles who had more experience in governance and war. Thus it was that the young nobles were readily granted country estates in the Western Shield Lands, which were considered by warrior nobles as indefensible and a poor location for castles due to the soft soil and lack of difficult terrain.
Unlike the Eastern Shield Lands, however, the Western region receives more sun and gentle rains. The rich soil and rolling hills produce the finest grapes and wines anywhere to be found. Uninterested in warring with orcs and trolls, or even their neighbors, the young lords, or Nobles of the Vine, as the veterans of the Court called them, made good use of their newly acquired lands by establishing large estates with vineyards. 
Within one generation, these newly minted nobles began producing the finest wines in the Kingdom. Vineyard Nobles have, as a whole, done well despite some jealousy and feuding, along with vying for who can attract the best vintners in Aerinnia.
The region now boasts over a dozen festivals a year and attracts travelers from far and wide. Magi recently started finding lucrative work with Vineyard Noble families, protecting their family recipes and secret methods from scrying and spies. The nobles are ever wary of thieves and charlatans, and often employ their own thieves (or train their own family members in subterfuge) with the express purpose of discovering plots and foiling attempts to steal from the family.
Most Vine Nobles are quite well-to-do and are not lacking in funding. They may be willing sponsors of adventuring parties solely with the idea of becoming partners in lucrative ventures. Yet other families will entertain knights willing to joust in the local tournaments for the family's name and glory, and to beat rival families. Families with magi in their employ are also known to supply their parties with magic items and information.

Naming Traditions

Other names

Nobles of the Vine