Hi, I’m Penny Lively, owner of Joyeux Winery, located along the central California Coast. I grew up here, and, although I left years ago to become a photojournalist, I’ve been back on the winery for little over a year. This winery is where I belong. I love the setting and the scenery. I’m fascinated with how, given time, a bunch of grapes will yield a drink that carries with it the essence of where those grapes were grown. The process fascinates me, although, if the truth be told, the reality is that I’m fascinated with alcohol in general. The making of it, the history of it, the astounding and varied ways it’s influenced our history and our story as humans.
For example, it seems the long-held belief that man discovered alcohol about 8,000 years ago isn’t exactly correct. This was roughly when humans started planting crops, and it was assumed we didn’t have access to fermented produce until that time. It now appears we had access much earlier, nearly ten million years earlier. Yes, that’s right, ten million.
This ten million year milestone is an important date for humans, because it was about then that humans first climbed out of the trees and started walking upright. This gave our ancestors the ability to wander, looking for food over a broader area. This was without a doubt a good thing, and clearly broadened our food sources. More food and a wider variety of food was a step in the right direction, so to speak.
There is a twist to the story, though, and it leads to the discovery of alcohol. This first source of alcohol was literally right under them, that is, rotting fruit. Basic fermentation was occurring on the ground around the very trees early man was stepping out of. The irony cannot be ignored: Man learned how to walk upright just in time to learn all about falling down drunk.
Now, this bad fruit wasn’t a first choice for primates, man or otherwise, because, well, it was rotting. In lean years, though, every little bit helped, and thanks to some mutant gene, humans were the only primates able to digest alcohol. Our ability to digest this additional food source helped us survive. And you thought it was our opposing thumbs.
Although I haven’t seen any studies, I would think the successful scavengers of this new food source were smart enough to climb back into the trees before eating dinner. Sure, falling out was a possibility, but it was a better option than staying on the ground. Might as well just stick the whole apple in your mouth and curl up on a plate. Scavenging food wasn’t easy, but it was better than being eaten by a tiger.
The intentional consumption of alcohol would have to wait until two things occurred: The cultivation mentioned above, and living in groups. Living in groups made planting and harvesting possible. It was easier than scavenging, and had an additional benefit: those needed surplus crops. For the first time people weren’t immediately eating everything they had on hand. They had extra, but without anyway to preserve this surplus, it often rotted. Turned into something that made you forget about the tiger.
Alcohol can be made with just about any crop, but grapes are easy to ferment because of their high sugar content. Naturally occurring yeast, found everywhere, feeds off the sugar and ethanol is a by-product. A cinch to make and it had the added bonus of making it easier to put up with your new neighbors. Some things never change.
Cheers!
You can read more about Penny in One Foot in the Grape, the first book in the NEW “Cypress Cove” mystery series, published by Berkley Prime Crime.
GIVEAWAY: Leave a comment by 12 a.m. eastern on May 13 for the chance to win a print copy of One Foot in the Grape. The giveaway is open to U.S. residents only. Winner will be notified within 48 hours after giveaway closes and you will have three days to respond after being contacted or another winner will be selected. Make sure to check your SPAM folder.
Meet the author
Carlene O’Neil grew up in the heart of Northern California Wine Country and is accredited by the Wine and Spirits Education Trust. A former television writer, she currently makes her home outside Los Angeles, where she can be found sailing in the Santa Monica Bay or doing research for her next novel. Clearly, any novel set in wine country requires extensive research. One Foot in the Grape is her debut novel, coming out in spring 2015 from Berkley Prime Crime. Visit her online at carleneoneil.com, Facebook and Twitter.
Wine is good for us. So is dark chocolate. Reading is also beneficial.
Now this sounds like my kind of series! Looking forward to reading this one. Thanks for the chance to win.
Looking forward to reading it.
Very informative post. Sounds like a series I would like to read.
Cute cover! Thanks for the giveaway.
I am thrilled about a brand new mystery series! I am looking forward to reading it. And the cover is adorable. Thank you for the giveaway.
myrifraf(at)gmail(dot)com
Love wine so this sounds great. Thanks for the chance to win a copy.
Thanks for the chance! This sounds like a great book!
The first book in a new series is always an interesting read. It allows the reader to get a taste of the author’s writing from the beginning. Thanks for the opportunity to enter your giveaway and also read a new author. robeader53@yahoo.com
Looks like a fun new series and am looking forward to reading. Thank you for the opportunity to enter the giveaway.
Oh wow, this sure looks like a super duper awesome book. I love reading the very first book in a new series and then anxiously awaiting the next and the next book after. The cover is so cute!!! Looking forward to reading this new book and would sure love to win it! Thanks for the opportunity!!
This sounds like a fun new series.
Probably all true. My aunt watched Robins get drunk on fermented holly berries in her yard on year. 🙂 I want to win this book!
I would love this! It’s on my TBR list!
Thank you!!
i would love to read this book; thanks for the chance
As much as I LOVE this cover, I LOVE first books in a new series!!!!!
Thank you for the giveaway….
Cheers!! Thanks for the giveaway!
Sounds like my type off series
I really love series that not only have a great mystery but that also give you information on the process of what the main character does. Sounds like a great read thanks for the giveaway!
Can’t wait to read it!
Yes please Dru, I’d love to win this one. You know how much I love my wine. The storyline looks like a fun read.
I loved the historical information–sounds like a good read.
I love cozies and “One Foot in the Grape” sounds like it would be a fun read.
What a great feature and giveaway. Thanks.
So excited to read this one!
Love books based in California, and it should great
I enjoy reading stories set in/on a winery. They seem to always provide interesting facts about wine and how’s it made. Thank you for the giveaway.
I’d love to win this. 🙂
Thank you for the opportunity to enter. I would like to read this book.
Love the idea of finding alcohol just as humans learned to stand–thus allowing them to fall over drunk!
I’ve been looking forward to reading this! A cozy mystery and wine – can’t go wrong there! Thanks for the opportunity to win a copy!
Thanks, Dru and Penny/Carlene! Count me in! Congratulations on the new series!
Sounds like a great read.
Hmmm. Sounds like motivation for man to get down out of the trees and build a secure winery . . . er, home. What fun!
I would love the chance to win this book and have a new series to read!!
It is awesome to see an author with the name Penny:) Your book sounds so great I can’t wait to read. Perfect for an evening on the porch with a glass of wine:)
Sounds like a good book to enjoy with a glass of Sangria!!
I love vineyards even though I can’t drink wine! The grapes growing in the sun is one of my favorite things. Would enjoy reading your book.
This sounds awesome!
Just got it and cannot put it down. Trying to figure who done it but she is very clever in hiding the culprit. She surely knows the wine business as well as how to write a mystery
I loved this history lesson on alcohol!
Cute cover, looks like a good start to a new series
Sounds like a great new series! I’d love the chance to win the first in a new series. Thanks for the giveaway.
I love history and learning more about food…and drink! I adore wine and am lucky to visit vineyards and wineries on a regular basis. I look forward to reading the start of what sounds like a wonderful new series!
Oooh, this sounds so good, I love the history that you gave. Thanks for the chance to win.
Oh I would love to read this
Looks like a fun new series.
I love starting a new series! Thanks for the giveaway.
Tennisace50@yahoo.com
thanks for having the giveaway would love to win
Looking forward to reading this.
Looks like an interesting read
Love the purple on the cover—and the kitty and doggie, too. I’d like to win this book and start a new series right at the beginning.
suefarrell.farrell@gmail.com
Sounds like an interesting read.
Sounds like a great new series.
This sounds like a fun read. Thanks for the giveaway 🙂
Love the play-on-words title. Always great to catch a series at its beginnings. All the best with its debut.
Grewup in Napa and any thing to do with a Winery is a must read for me.
Love the chance to read this. 🙂
Saw a great review on this book. Made me want to enter.
Marilyn ewatvess@yahoo.com
Would love to win a copy to read! Thanks for review & giveaway chance. A family member works at a winery in central Texas. She loves pairing food & wine. Even getting me interested in it. I don’t drink a lot of wine so the samplings with food is perfect.
Fascinating history lesson! I believe this book/series is going to be a winner. Cheers!
kpbarnett1941[at]aol.com
contest is closed.