WINE-MAKING IN CALIFORNIA. 129 



railroad, or, at least, a promise of them in the near future, 

 for this is a question which will influence the value of the pro- 

 duct very materially. Then the aspect of the place itself, 

 its features, whether they allow easy communication and cen- 

 tralization, should be well considered. The vineyard should 

 in all its parts be easily accessible to either the wine cellar or 

 the packing shed. If these can be so located that all the 

 grapes can be brought down to them, or at least on a level, it 

 will make all the operations a great deal easier. And for the 

 wine cellar especially water facilities are a great consideration. 

 If living water from streams and springs is available, that can 

 be led into every story of the cellar and into every compart- 

 ment, it is an advantage which can hardly be overvalued. It 

 is not alone handy for cleansing casks and vats, in short, the 

 whole working apparatus, but it makes the work itself so much 

 more convenient and so much less costly. Besides, it adds 

 greatly to the coolness and cleanliness of the place. If good 

 material for building is at hand it is also a great advantage. 

 A hillside for the cellar, into which it can be excavated so 

 that every story of the building can be approached by wagon, 

 is a great advantage, and if good building stone is at hand 

 close to it, or at the cellar, it is worth a great deal also. All 

 'these points should be carefully considered before the land is 

 selected. They cut a Very large figure in the expense account. 

 It is fortunate, indeed, that our mountains are blessed with 

 so. many never failing springs of the purest water, which are 

 .available for the purpose; and that good building stones are 

 also by no means scarce. They are one of the most attrac- 

 tive features of our noble State. 



When there is no spring or stream available, there should at 

 least be a good well, from which the necessary supply can be 

 pumped by machinery. A wine cellar without a full supply 

 <of water is a very poor institution indeed. 



There is another and serious objection, at least in the more 



