Chapter 2
Vitis vinifera sylvestris emerged about 2 million years ago and started spreading across Europe. Meanwhile, various species of Homo were migrating from Africa to Europe.
The paths of Vitis vinifera and the genera Homo eventually cross. Recent studies indicate that pre-domestication of Vitis vinifera took place towards the end of the Paleolithic, around 20,000 BC. Cultivation was rudimentary and, although no organic or inorganic remains have been found, we can imagine hominids filling rocks or wooden containers with grapes and then crushing them, prefiguring the winemaking process.
