The Winslow mail., 1898-07-30
DANCE In A VINE VAT
californians Participate in q Novel
Entertainment.
Cne Hundred Couples Trip Around In
Cnsk which a Few Days Bee
fore Was Filled with
Sparkling Wine.

A hundred couples danced in a wine
vat at Asti one day lately. Where but
few days ago 5C0,0G0 gallons of Cali
fornia chianti bubbled 200merrymakers
whirled in the mazes Of a Strauss waltz,
There was no great crowding. An ex-
cellent orchestra in the center Of the
novel ballroom made music for the
dancers, while onlookers stood about
the sides Of the tank and enjoyed the
fun. Few, however, lost the opportu-
nifty, that might never again occur
during lifetime, to participate in
terpsichorean pleasures on q hoorwhich
had known the weight of enough wine
to fill 100000 bottles, and whose walls
were stained a more lurid color by
the juice Of hundreds of millions Of
grapes, The dancers were Of many de-
grees and ages, Supreme court judges
elbowed San Francisco supervisors and
foreign consuls reversed their steps to
avoid collisions with millionaires. There
were others, too, Men and women who
had first tasted chianti in the vineyards
of Italy or Switzerland touched the
heels Of native sons and native daugh-
ters in the grand march. Never, per-
haps, was a more cosmopolitan and
representative gathering in any place.
1t was the fete day CT the Italian
Swiss colony at Asti, and the officers CT
the association outdid the most atten-
tive and generous of hosts in their care
for the comfort and delight Of eco
guests from San Francisco and ether
cities, Invitations had been extended
to many prominent people, and ma
iority of the fortunate recipients re-
sponded. A special train left San Fran
cisco for Asti at 1890 o'clock in the
morning, and upon arrival here car
riages conveyed the visitors over the
extensive lands of the colony, which en-
braced over 2,0G0 acres under cultiva-
ton in vines. The immense buildings
were visited, from the ferment ing room,
over 200 feet square, where 80 huge
tanks hold the JUICE which has flowed
into them to undergo its first fermenta-
ton, to the cellars, where is stored
the aged product of the best years
growth. The many processes were ex-
planned by President Rossi and Secre-
tary sharboro, and practical lesson in
winemaking was given. The greatest
attraction was reserved till the last,
when, after leaving the brandy dis
tillery, the way was led to the giant
reservoir.
The imaginations of the guests were
prepared fer the marvellous sight about
to greet them by their hosts, who told
OF its planning and building, The cut
side appearance of the mighty recep-
tacle is much like one of the pyramids
of Egypt with the top sliced eff. The
ascent to the top is by concrete steps
On four sides. It's foot is a charming
ly plotted garden, with pyramids of
flowers and gravel walk. In the cen
ter Is stone fountain CT interesting
design, which arches the entrance. The
opening Is three feet in diameter, and
when the interior is filled this is her
metically sealed. To-day a winding
staircase made descent Of "A feet to the
bottom easy. Two arches partly di-
vide the reservoir, making three COM
partments> 80 feet square. The floor,
walls and ceiling are all cement. Fifty
men were employed night and day for
As days, and 1000 barrels Of the best
Portland cement and 5000 barrels of
gravel ard fine sand from the nearby
Russian river bed were used in its con-
struction. The walls are two feet
thick, and glazed to the imperviCusness
cf a glass bottle. 1t was first filled on
October IS, 1897, two steam pumps be-
ing busted for over a week in the task.
It was emptied on March 10, 1898, and
the wine removed to 90,000-gallon watts
in the cellar proper.
Being about to take into its capa-
cious stomach another 500,000 gallons
Of wine, the ItalianSwiss colonists
thought it fitting that the great event
should be celebrated. A wonderful echo
was discovered by the viewers of this
eighth wonder of the world. "Hello!"
said President Hugo Craig, of the cham
Der Of commerce, and ''Hello!" con-
tinued around the walls for what
seemed a full minute. Standing at one
end, whispers were interpreted at the
other, 50 feet away. A city CT 100000
inhabitants, with the present average
consumption, might draw its supply of
wine from the great reservoir for over
a year.-Chicago Tribune.