PIT STOP/ P-STOP/ WINO-STOP
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A VINEYARD OASIS IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE- HWY 41
On a recent trip from Grover/Pismo Beach to Modesto, I decided to take the scenic route via Hwy 41 which cuts across Paso Robles wine country. It was really off the beaten path and was quite beautiful, but twisty turn and slow going.
Fortunately, upon on a rise, I spotted a nice big house on a nice big hill, with a sign proclaiming wine tasting (on a Sunday yet !). I needed a bathroom break, to stretch my legs, and it had a gorgeous view.
Therefore, we went up, and they had a cute little wine tasting room, filled with several nice people.
I was game for wine tasting, but in view of the long drive, I had to use it like mouthwash, and then use a modern day
.....................................SPITTOON!!!! (just like the old Chinese Emperors)!!!
Despite all my spitting, the wines were quite tasty and they were all quite good. Alas, what a waste of good wine!
For some reason, even though I did not taste it, nor spit it out, I did settle on buying the Special Pinot Noir Reserve {see Pic}, which was over a hundred, a dessert wine, and a Stanger hat. Have to support these little mom & pop vineyards, and besides Mr. French (the manager) was nice enough to give me a "Modesto" discount. Wify hates when I come up with "discounts" that really do not exist!
I of course lingered and had a fun conversation with the manager (Mr. J. P. French) and some of his customers. It turns out, that the manager supplies a few restaurants in Modesto, with his wines (i.e., Surla's, Dewz, & one other?). One customer was a nurse, who worked before at a State Psych Hospital (that we will leave nameless), so we had some good Psycho stories to share.
Anyway, it was a great break from driving, on a scenic hilltop, with a charmingly small Winery and tasting room.
I will conclude with the Stanger Words of Wisdom (which are on back of their card):
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"It's not about whether the glass is half empty or half full, it's about whether there is any wine left in the bottle".
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Some other info., since it is really out there:
Cell= 805-801-6377; Phone= 805-238-4777
webite= stangervineyards.com ; email= stangerjp@gmail.com
P.O. Box 4175 Paso Robles, CA 93447
WEST SIDE- TEMPLETON GAP VINEYARD
EAST SIDE- WINERY & TASTING ROOM
Notes:
You can own your very own Modern Day Spittoon by ordering on
Amazon.com! :
"Chrome Spittoon
by The Wine Enthusiast
Price: $29.95
Product Features
* Professionally crafted in Italy of solid, sleek, understated chrome
* This Chrome Spittoon is a tasting room essential"
Fun facts from Wikipedia:
"A spittoon (or spitoon) is a receptacle made for spitting into, especially by users of chewing and dipping tobacco. It is also known as a cuspidor (which is the Portuguese word for "spitter" or "spittoon", from the verb "cuspir" meaning "to spit"), although that term is also used for a type of spitting sink used in dentistry. Cuspidors are still manufactured today, and commonly seen in gymnasia adjacent to drinking fountains...
A mass produced sign seen in saloons read:
If you expect to rate as a gentleman
Do not expectorate on the floor
Spittoons were also useful for people suffering from tuberculosis who would cough up phlegm. Public spittoons would sometimes contain a solution of an antiseptic such as carbolic acid with the aim of limiting transmission of disease. With the start of the 20th century medical doctors urged tuberculosis sufferers to use personal pocket spittoons instead of public ones; these were jars with tight lids which people could carry with them to spit into. Similar devices are still used by some with tuberculosis...
In China during the Qing Dynasty and later in Japan, a golden spittoon would be among the numerous objects displayed in front of the Emperor at major ceremonies...
After China became a Communist state in 1949, the spittoon became much more prevalent: spittoons were placed at every conceivable public place, and were commonplace in homes as well. The mass introduction of spittoons was no doubt a public hygiene initiative, motivated by a desire to correct the once common Chinese practice of spitting onto the floor. The spittoons used in China were typically made of white porcelain, sometimes with traditional Chinese art painted onto the exterior...
Spittoons were used even during official functions by the political leaders of China; especially when Deng Xiaoping had a frequent use of spittoon with other political leaders. This eventually became a source of ridicule by the mass media outside China. As a response, the spittoons have largely been withdrawn from public spaces in China since the late 1980s...". :) read more