Meet Acton Manning | Physician, Certified Sommelier & Author.

We had the good fortune of connecting with Acton Manning and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Acton, let’s start by talking about what inspires you?
In one word, wine. This is by no means my only inspiration; however wine was certainly the muse for my debut novel, End of the Vine, which is the first in a series of mystery thrillers set in and around the wonderful world of wine. As a physician by day, fiction writing wasn’t something I anticipated embarking on, but after studying for a Diploma at the Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET) I was surprised to learn that I had at least one book in me! The complexities and distinct characteristics of the grapes and terroir behind each wine varietal necessitate highly descriptive, almost prosaic, language when expressed on paper. Each wine has its own complex personality, just like a character in a book, and an expert sommelier requires the skills of an ace detective to really pin these down. It was this realisation that first put the idea of a mystery novel in my head… and so my protagonist Detective Daniel Winters was born. As I developed the concept, I also discovered that the vineyard – a traditionally idyllic, but often rurally isolated, place – made the perfect location for murder and, I hope, provides readers with a unique and immersive experience. I love to travel and I think that discovering a sense of place in a new destination is one of life’s greatest joys; for me, wine adds depth and colour to each location I have had the pleasure of visiting.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I am a certified sommelier and international wine educator (Diplomate of WSET). Originally trained in emergency medicine, I’ve swapped my stethoscope for a virtual pen to create the Daniel Winters series. When I’m not visiting the world’s great vineyards or teaching fellow Dionysians how to enjoy fine food paired with wine, I can be found at my laptop, working on the next Daniel Winters mystery while sipping a glass of my latest favorite muse.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Miami has so much going for it. South Beach for a run on the amazing new boardwalk and a swim in the perfect water. Shopping the Design District after lunch at the Mandolin. Don’t forget to pick up a bottle of Burgundy from Bernardo at Vino Nueva after lunch. Pre-dinner drinks at the Fontainebleau, and then make your way to Casa Tua for an authentic Italian dinner and a great wine list. Thinking of a day like this, friends should come visit more often!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Inspirations for the book are Patrick Suskind and Nelson DeMille, especially for the characters – the villain and protagonist. And to Romance Author Alexa Wilder who guided me through the publishing process and encouraged me to succeed in the self-publishing business.

Website: https://www.actonmanning.org/

Other: https://books2read.com/endofthevine , https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B7BX8XGK