Revenuers were Marshalls and enforcers during prohibition in the 1920's and early 30s, when alcohol was forbidden. Upon arrival to my grandparent's home, they had broken bottles and equipment, culminating in a threat to arrest our grandfather, George.

Taking heed in Cecilia’s withering words, they left. A single glass carboy bottle of fruit wine remained, hidden away.

One of George and Cecilia’s sons, Frank, later married Betty and they had the bottle for many years. Money was tight while they raised the seven of us and the bottle was repurposed as a decoration in the form of a beautiful terrarium. I would look at it often, fascinated at how a plant could grow in its own little universe.

As an adult, I married an Italian man, Jonathan, who knew how to make wine and we brought the bottle back into production. Next spring, a niece and nephew will make wine in this bottle.

This bottle has traveled from prohibition to become family tradition.

-Barbara P.