118 HRES 1028 IH: Commending Southern California Wineries and Vineyards Resolution.
U.S. House of Representatives
2024-02-23
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Whereas wine growers in southern California counties are a proud and established local institution that make lasting contributions to the economies of our State and Nation by producing beloved wines, creating jobs, and growing regional tourism; Whereas, despite facing formidable challenges, including prolonged droughts, high labor and energy costs, and burdensome land use regulations, southern California wine growers have continually exhibited resilience and achieved success;
Whereas the wine industry in southern California has demonstrated uncommon adaptability and employed innovative solutions to optimize water usage through drip irrigation systems, exploring the development of drought-resistant grape varieties, and experimenting with new automated growing technologies; Whereas southern California wine growers have created abundant new opportunities for employment and economic development in the region;
Whereas the southern California wine industry employs more than 600,000 Americans, and more than 422,000 are from California alone; Whereas, comprised of 93 vineyard and winery operations, Riverside County wineries and wine-related businesses generate an average of more than 17,000 jobs and more than $956,000,000 every year, as well as $2,700,000,000 in annual economic activity in the State;
Whereas, comprised of 203 vineyard and winery operations, San Diego County wineries and wine-related businesses generate more than 29,000 jobs and more than $1,700,000,000 every year, as well as $4,400,000,000 in annual economic activity in the State; Whereas, comprised of 45 vineyard and winery operations, Orange County wineries and wine-related businesses generate more than 30,000 jobs and more than $1,800,000,000 every year, as well as $4,700,000,000 in annual economic activity in the State;
Whereas, comprised of 13 vineyard and winery operations, San Bernardino County wineries and wine-related businesses generate more than 13,400 jobs and more than $752,000,000 every year, as well as $2,000,000,000 in annual economic activity in the State; Whereas, comprised of 498 vineyard and winery operations, San Luis Obispo County wineries and wine-related businesses generate more than 9,700 jobs and more than $600,000,000 every year, as well as $1,900,000,000 in annual economic activity in the State;
Whereas, comprised of 327 vineyard and winery operations, Santa Barbara County wineries and wine-related businesses generate more than 10,200 jobs and more than $602,000,000 every year, as well as $1,700,000,000 in annual economic activity in the State; Whereas, comprised of 45 vineyard and winery operations, Ventura County wineries and wine-related businesses generate more than 6,900 jobs and almost $400,000,000 every year, as well as $1,000,000,000 in annual economic activity in the State;
Whereas the southern California wine industry has played a vital role in promoting tourism, drawing visitors to the region, and enriching its overall economic landscape; Whereas, in 2022, Riverside County welcomed approximately 3,200,000 visitors to its Temecula Valley wineries and generated $487,400,000 in annual tourism spending;
Whereas, in 2022, San Diego County wineries generated over $911,000,000 in annual tourism spending; Whereas, in 2022, Orange County wineries generated $854,600,000 in annual tourism spending;
Whereas, in 2022, San Bernardino County wineries generated $376,400,000 in annual tourism spending; Whereas, in 2022, San Luis Obispo County wineries generated nearly $84,000,000 in annual tourism spending;
Whereas, in 2022, Santa Barbara County wineries generated over $117,000,000 in annual tourism spending; Whereas, in 2022, Ventura County wineries generated nearly $171,000,000 in annual tourism spending;
Whereas Thrillist, a digital media company that offers travel recommendations, named Southern California Wine Country an Underrated Wine Region to Visit in 2024
; Whereas, in 2019, Wine Enthusiast named Riverside County’s Temecula Valley as one of the top 10 best wine travel destinations worldwide;
Whereas, in 2023, a Temecula Valley winery received 2 gold-winning wines and 6 silver-winning wines at Sunset Magazine’s Annual International Wine Competition in Santa Rosa, California; Whereas, in 2023, Wine Enthusiast named a 2021 San Luis Obispo County wine as one of the year’s top 10 California wines; and
Whereas the high-quality wines produced by southern California wine growers have earned national and international acclaim, further bolstering the reputation of California as a premier wine-producing region: Now, therefore, be it That the House of Representatives recognizes—
(1)the importance of southern California wine growers and the wine industry to the State of California; and (2)the significant contributions the southern California wine industry has made to the American economy, tourism industry, and job market.