Everyone who loves wine has a story to tell about it, from that first sip to that special event where a particular bottle had great meaning or impact. For some, drinking good wine has become a way of life and getting to that point involves some great moments and some unfortunate lapses in judgment. The end result is a life rich with memories and good friends made so because of a most marvelous process called fermentation.

Douglas Bollinger decides to abandon his career, his girlfriend and his family to take up a new calling to join the United States Navy. Accepted at Officer Candidate School in Newport, Rhode Island, Bollinger finds himself suddenly thrown into the rigorous training program required to gain his commission as a Navy Ensign. He begins the program as a lowly "Cumin" (Civilian Under Military Instruction) and undergoes a hellish first week culminating by his going through the dreaded "Maze." The program puts to the test Bollinger's physical, emotional and academic stamina while he suffers personal loss and tragedy and also finds himself as a witness to an unfolding political upheaval in the days before the military's infamous "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy. Through it all, Bollinger navigates his way through the program which is designed to winnow the field so that only the most able, capable and talented candidates successfully complete the course. Not all of his newly-found friends make it through the program and we only learn at the very end of the story whether Bollinger does, either. This novel brings to life a short period of time in recent military history and how it impacted one young man.

"It got me thinking about the hundreds of years of Newport Beach history. It made me excited about from where they came. Hail Chinigchinich " --Tom Johnson, former publisher of the Daily Pilot and Newport Beach Independent "Reading this epic is like riding in a time machine from the first Indians in the area through the Spanish, Mexican and American settlements in the 20th Century. Through a series of short stories, Davis weaves his opus with suspense, conflict, humor, romance, heroes, betrayal, murder and hope. It reads like a TV mini-series because of his vivid, descriptive, often conversational and colorful writing." --Chris MacDonald, seecalifornia.com "Old-time fans of "Dallas" or "Dynasty" will appreciate how the stories of family betrayal, illegitimacy and murder are played out here in our own community." -Keith Curry, Former Mayor of Newport Beach, CA "James Michener, move over " --John Tobin, Western Australia

"It got me thinking about the hundreds of years of Newport Beach history. It made me excited about from where they came. Hail Chinigchinich " --Tom Johnson, former publisher of the Daily Pilot and Newport Beach Independent "Reading this epic is like riding in a time machine from the first Indians in the area through the Spanish, Mexican and American settlements in the 20th Century. Through a series of short stories, Davis weaves his opus with suspense, conflict, humor, romance, heroes, betrayal, murder and hope. It reads like a TV mini-series because of his vivid, descriptive, often conversational and colorful writing." --Chris MacDonald, seecalifornia.com "Old-time fans of "Dallas" or "Dynasty" will appreciate how the stories of family betrayal, illegitimacy and murder are played out here in our own community." -Keith Curry, Former Mayor of Newport Beach, CA "James Michener, move over " --John Tobin, Western Australia

Douglas Bollinger decides to abandon his career, his girlfriend and his family to take up a new calling to join the United States Navy. Accepted at Officer Candidate School in Newport, Rhode Island, Bollinger finds himself suddenly thrown into the rigorous training program required to gain his commission as a Navy Ensign. He begins the program as a lowly "Cumin" (Civilian Under Military Instruction) and undergoes a hellish first week culminating by his going through the dreaded "Maze." The program puts to the test Bollinger's physical, emotional and academic stamina while he suffers personal loss and tragedy and also finds himself as a witness to an unfolding political upheaval in the days before the military's infamous "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy. Through it all, Bollinger navigates his way through the program which is designed to winnow the field so that only the most able, capable and talented candidates successfully complete the course. Not all of his newly-found friends make it through the program and we only learn at the very end of the story whether Bollinger does, either. This novel brings to life a short period of time in recent military history and how it impacted one young man.

Everyone who loves wine has a story to tell about it, from that first sip to that special event where a particular bottle had great meaning or impact. For some, drinking good wine has become a way of life and getting to that point involves some great moments and some unfortunate lapses in judgment. The end result is a life rich with memories and good friends made so because of a most marvelous process called fermentation.