Governor Schwarzenegger Proclaims September 2009 California Wine Month for the 5th year in a row. Recognizing the Golden State’s vintners and growers for their more than 200-year-old agricultural tradition,positive impact on the state and national economies, and commitment to sustainable winegrowing practices. The proclamation praises the wine community’s many contributions. “Many wineries are also committed to serving their communities and promoting socially and environmentally responsible farming practices,” said Governor Schwarzenegger in the proclamation.
California vineyards in the summer California vineyards in the fall
California wine generates 820,000 jobs in the U.S., including 330,000 in California.
The state’s vintners and growers, along with California’s 80,000 restaurants, have helped make the Golden State a top destination for culinary travelers from around the world, attracting nearly 21 million visitors each year to its wine regions. Visitors to California can explore the state’s 2,800 wineries which produce 90 percent of U.S. wine. First Lady Maria Shriver is promoting the California Travel and Tourism Commission by appearing on a TV spot promoting California as the “Land of Wine and Food.” California is the fourth largest wine producer in the world. With over 60 percent of the state’s winegrowers participating in the Sustainable Winegrowing Program, it is truly a model for wine regions in other states and abroad. The program has won Governor Schwarzenegger’s top environmental award from the California Association of Winegrape Growers.
California Grapes
California Wine Month is also supported by several association partners including the California Travel and Tourism Commission, the California Olive Oil Council, the National Restaurant Association and the California Restaurant Association which recently conducted its second annual “Best California Wine List Competition.”
Retail and restaurant establishments throughout the nation are celebrating California Wine Month and several publications will feature special coverage of the state’s wines.
Retail/Restaurant Partners Celebrating California Wine Month (CWM)
Safeway, Von’s and Pavilions stores (Newspaper ads and in-store displays in stores nationwide)
Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board (Posters and shelf talkers in stores throughout the state)
Kimpton Hotels (Special wine promotions in all restaurants)
Beverages & More! (Posters in stores)
Costco (California stores)
Roy’s Restaurants (Special wine promotions in all restaurants)
Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines (Special wine promotions on board all ships)
The Melting Pot (Special wine promotions in select restaurants)
Vino Volo (Special wine-by-the glass promotions in all airport locations)
California Wine Merchants (In-store tastings with vintners)
Gary’s Wine & Marketplace New Jersey (Three stores doing in-store tastings with vintners)
Grande Harvest Wines New York (In-store tastings with vintners)
Morrell & Company New York (In-store tastings with vintners)
Sherry-Lehman Wine & Spirits New York Sherry-Lehman Wine & Spirits New York (In-store tastings with vintners)
Union Square Wines New York (In-store tastings with vintners)
Zachy’s New York (In-store tastings with vintners)
Cork Bar Los Angeles (Special California wine flights throughout September)
Wall Street Journal — September 12
San Francisco Chronicle — August 28
Los Angeles Magazine — September edition
The Restaurant Standard (California Restaurant Association) — August/September Edition
10 Reasons to Love CA Wine
California is one of the first places that come to mind when we think about wine. Why do we love it so much? In honor of California Wine Month – September 2008 – let us count the ways;
1. A living national treasure, with history and entrepreneurial spirit: California wines have been around for nearly250 years, and the industry is the fourth largest producer of wine in the world. After Prohibition, California has led a wine quality revolution by combining art, science, innovation and tradition.
2.A leader in sustainable winegrowing and winemaking practices: With its statewide Sustainable Winegrowing Program (SWP), establishing strong environmental standards and practices from ground to glass, California vintners and wine grape growers are a model for other agricultural products and other wine regions in the U.S. and the world.
3.Comprised largely of family businesses: The vast majority of California’s 4,600 wine grape growers and 2,700 wineries are family-owned and operated businesses, many involving multiple generations.
4. Offers immense choice for wine drinkers, because of diverse growing regions, soils, climates, winemaking styles and people: With wine grapes grown in 46 of the state’s 58 counties,California counts 107 American Viticultural Areas (AVAs). Starting with the Spanish missionaries, to German, Swiss, French and Italian immigrants, to the modern day entrepreneurs and researchers, all have made their mark on California wines.
5. Inspired a culinary revolution: As the popularity of California wines has risen, so has the national focus on fresh seasonal cooking and dining. Many of America’s top chefs work in California’s wine country.
6. Provides careers for thousands: The California wine industry generates 875,000 jobs nationwide, with wages totaling $25.2 billion. The overall economic impact of the wine industry on the U.S. economy is $125.3 billion.
7.Creates beautiful travel destinations throughout the state: California is the most visited state in the U.S. for food and wine-related activities, with 19.7 million tourists visiting the state’s wine regions each year.
8. Offers unprecedented opportunities for women: Women have played a critical role in the California wineindustry’s past, and today are taking lead positions in viticulture, winemaking, sales, marketing, hospitality and distribution. In the U.S., you’re just as likely to see a female as a male sommelier.
9.Keeps land in agriculture: Although less than 1 percent of California land is planted to vineyards, California wine is the number one finished agricultural product in retail value in the U.S. Wine grapes ensure that land stays in agriculture, and preserves open space and scenic pastoral landscapes.
10. Has driven a new “wine culture”in the U.S., inspiring people in all 50 states to establish wineries:Wine consumption has risen for 14 consecutive years in the U.S., and the proliferation of wine magazines, websites, blogs and yes, even a reality television show about wine, attests to the fact that wine is becoming more a part of mainstream American culture. California’s success in wine quality, production and innovation has helped inspire winemaking ventures in all 50 U.S. states.