Saddle Up and Sip It Down

Is there any reason that we are now a society that can't seem to have fun without boozing it up? Why does every activity now HAVE to be about alcohol?

Just an observation.

Yes Holly, people are spiritually unfullfilled (but filled with spirits--couldn't pass that one up) so they dull their pain with alcohol.

What is ironic is that these people live in an area which is the envy of much of the rest of the country, and I'm assuming that these people aren't worried about paying the rent but they still have to put a substance in the body that kills brain cells and destroys their livers. It's quite sad, although they will insist they're having a good time.

Of course, I have to give them credit for one thing and that is that at least they recognize the fixation on booze and as long as these people are riding horses and not driving motorized vehicles, they aren't putting other people's lives in danger.

As George Harrison said in his song "Isn't it a Pity": "The beauty that surrounds them, isn't it a pity".

Right on! Although I am a bit surprised that you did even finish reading this article, as it appears that the author was one of the boozehounds! Why do you support such potomania? I suppose judges need to know what the helots are doing. In any event, keep up the good work, I see by your other comments that you would both be great on a city council or board of supervisors, keeping other people in line! Thank you for your incessant effort...

By the way, if one of these equestrians crashes their horse, does the horse get a sobriety check as well? Just wondering.

There's nothing wrong with getting ripped once in a while.

I am the owner of Vino Vaquers. FYI we enjoy a great ride , then taste wine at the Tasting Room. We then have a gourmet lunch or dinner. I don't see the any problem with that. Do you?

"I am the owner of Vino Vaquers. FYI we enjoy a great ride , then taste wine at the Tasting Room. We then have a gourmet lunch or dinner. I don't see the any problem with that. Do you?" -PeteGanibi-

Not as long as you are 100% sure that all the effects of the alcohol have worn off by the time these people get behind the wheel. Is this the case? Sincerely awaiting your response in good faith. -Bill-

By the way, I'd like to add something: My dad was nearly killed by someone who had slightly under the legal limit of alcohol in his system. (.069) It went to court and it was determined alcohol played a role in the accident. I mention this for two reasons: One, a person does not have to be *legally* drunk to have alcohol affect their driving in such a way that they could kill people, and second, there is still legal culpability in such a case. In the case of my father's acccident, he was sitting for several seconds with his turn signal on waiting to turn left and was rammed from behind. A number of things went right for my dad that night: The car he was driving; his overall physical conditioning; and the fact that there were no vehicles coming in the lane into which he was pushed. (The car was spun around 180 degrees) Bottom line: This "social drinking" myth still equates to the fact that people are gambling with the lives of others with whom they share the road.

Next point: A couple of weeks ago I was present at the site of an accident where a young man crashed into and knocked over a power pole. I was one of the first people there and the young man--who was not injured--was talking very clearly and logically. There was no way one could have guessed that he was twice over the legal blood alcohol limit. (I found this out the following day from a dependable source) The only thing that looked slightly out of whack was that his eyes were not focusing 100%.

So there it is: You don't need to be legally drunk to be deadly, and you don't have to appear to be drunk to be drunk. And before we go any further I would like to know if you can assure me that those who leave your events are 100% sober. If they *are* 100% sober, than you have done a good thing, although ideally it would be even better that people enjoy life to the fullest without altering their senses.

Although this business is run out of a winery, the focus is on the horses and the cuisine. Attached to the winery, is a cattle ranch where the guest is able to experience all that the Valley has to offer. This is not just about the alcohol, and did we mention that no one drinks before they get on a horse. If we go as far to assume this is about drinking and getting behind the wheel, then where does it end? Do we bash new restaurants, and wine tasting rooms around town as well? I am a huge advocate of reporting drunk drivers in my town and discouraging drinking and driving. Most of the guests stay over night, or have a designated driver. It seems that the guests I have had have been responisble and respectful. If I do find that someone is getting behind the wheel intoxicated I will organize alternative means of transportation or even drive them myself. Needless to say, point taken, however, the emphasis of this business is the horses, the food and enjoying Fess Parker's ranch and vineyard. The wine is an afterthought. I feel that the comments made are very negative and are expressed out of ignorance. Maybe you guys should try a ride and see for yourself how good you feel afterwards, maybe you won't be so NEGATIVE. Thank you. Pete

"This is not just about the alcohol, and did we mention that no one drinks before they get on a horse."

You are correct. Only when I went on your site after you pointed this out did I see that this is the case, but from reading the article only, I got the impression that the alcohol consumption was intertwined with the rides themselves. When the author mentioned "wine-minded ride" that is what concerned me.

Where we differ--and I know that I will be blasted as an anti-alcohol fanatic (which I admit that I am) is that I don't feel it's enough to say that *most* of the guests have a designated driver or stay overnight because as long as *some* of them don't do these things, they are still drinking and driving.

I know perfectly well that the odds of anyone reading this agreeing with me are slim, but no matter what anyone says, drinking and driving do *not* mix, and when I have people over to my house, I don't serve alcohol because I know that there is no way I can gauge their sobriety nor do I want to run around all night being the Sobriety Police so it's just easier for me not to serve alcohol, have some fun, and go to bed knowing I didn't turn someone loose who could be a danger to others.

My goal in these posts is to make people think--and give first-hand examples of how insidious drunken driving is. I think we can agree that people who run into people while drunk and kill them probably are not thinking that they are any danger when they take to the road--which was probably the case with the man that hit my dad and countless other cases.

I don't doubt for a minute that the equestrian/culinary/lodging aspects of your business is first-class. From what I see by the article as well as your website, you're a hard-working man who has put together a high-quality operation so let me make it clear that I'm not attacking that end of it.

As for more wine-tasting rooms or more places that serve alcohol be they bars, nightclubs or whatever, one thing is for sure: The more of these places that there are, the better the odds of there being drunk people getting behind the wheel. Is this what we *really* want?

While we disagree on some major points, I thank you for your response and may the equestrian/food/lodging ends of your business flourish.

"If we go as far to assume this is about drinking and getting behind the wheel, then where does it end? Do we bash new restaurants, and wine tasting rooms around town as well?"

Yes, Pete, that's exactly what they do. Whenever any article is written about wine, these people show up with their repetative negative comments. Holly, Bill, we've all read what you think before. There's really no need to keep repeating yourselves, and I hate to think of all the emotional torment you must go through every time you read the food and wine section of the Independent. Do your blood pressures a favor and only read things you enjoy--we'll all be happier for it.

Pete, don't worry about them, and keep up the good work. Wine and horses are two of my favorite things and I think your idea is inspired. Best of luck to you and I hope to make it on one of those rides myself. Sounds fun!