[Congressional Bills 115th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 766 Introduced in House (IH)]

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115th CONGRESS
  2d Session
H. RES. 766

   Recognizing the contributions of American Viticultural Areas and 
                          winegrowing regions.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                             March 7, 2018

  Mr. Blumenauer (for himself and Mr. Zeldin) submitted the following 
   resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Ways and Means

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
   Recognizing the contributions of American Viticultural Areas and 
                          winegrowing regions.

Whereas wineries and vintners in the United States contribute to the economic 
        and cultural life of the Nation;
Whereas the economic contributions of wineries and vintners in the United States 
        is significant and expansive, attributable to the activities of growers, 
        suppliers, researchers, marketers, wholesalers, distributors, and 
        retailers, among others;
Whereas the American wine industry is estimated to have generated, directly and 
        indirectly, more than $219 billion for the United States economy in 
        2017;
Whereas there are more than 10,000 wineries operating in all 50 States;
Whereas many of these wineries are small businesses and family owned;
Whereas the wine industry directly employs nearly 1 million people in the United 
        States and supports nearly 300,000 jobs in industries that supply goods 
        and services to winegrowers and wineries;
Whereas the wages earned by those directly employed by wineries and the wine 
        industry totaled more than $33 billion in 2017;
Whereas wineries and wine regions not only drive economic activity through the 
        production, distribution, and sale of wine but also attract substantial 
        tourism-related interest and spending;
Whereas wine regions in the United States each year host more than 43 million 
        tourists and generate nearly $18 billion in tourism expenditures;
Whereas wine tourism supported 375,000 jobs that paid more than $10 billion in 
        wages in 2017;
Whereas American Viticultural Areas (AVAs) are designated wine-growing regions 
        in the United States that have distinguishing features affecting 
        viticulture, including climate, geology, soils, physical features, and 
        elevation;
Whereas 2018 marks the 40th anniversary of the publication of the Department of 
        the Treasury Decision to establish the American Viticulture Area 
        designation system;
Whereas the first American Viticultural Area was approved on June 20, 1980, for 
        Augusta, Missouri, and, as of January 1, 2018, there have been 240 
        American Viticultural Areas established in the United States;
Whereas at least 85 percent of a wine must be derived from grapes grown within 
        the boundaries of the area in order to use the AVA name on its label;
Whereas an AVA designation allows vintners to describe more accurately the 
        origin of their wines, and helps them build and enhance the reputation 
        and value of the wines they produce;
Whereas an AVA designation allows consumers to attribute a given quality, 
        reputation, or other characteristic to a wine made from grapes grown in 
        that area, and helps them identify wines they wish to purchase;
Whereas appellations of origin, such as AVA designations, can assist American 
        wine producers in establishing distinctive American place names in 
        global markets and can create valuable export opportunities;
Whereas wine exports generated more than $1.6 billion for United States 
        producers last year, a fourfold increase over the past 20 years;
Whereas once an American Viticulture Area term, or other appellation of origin, 
        is protected in a foreign country, it helps vintners effectively promote 
        their products and increase awareness of their region;
Whereas the United States wine industry is growing and accounts for 10 percent 
        of global wine production;
Whereas American wine-growing regions and wine growers have contributed not only 
        to the economic prosperity of the Nation but have also enhanced its 
        cultural prestige by developing and sharing with the world their 
        internationally recognized wines;
Whereas American consumers have benefitted from the rich diversity and 
        extraordinary quality of American wines and wine-growing regions; and
Whereas responsibly enjoying wine often serves to enhance the richness of life 
        and bring together more closely family and friends: Now, therefore, be 
        it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) recognizes the significant contributions to the 
        economic and cultural life of the Nation made by American wines 
        and distinctive American wine-growing regions;
            (2) recognizes the value created in domestic and foreign 
        markets by promoting wines from distinctive American wine-
        growing regions, including those protected by American 
        Viticultural Area designations or other appellations of origin; 
        and
            (3) supports efforts to promote awareness of and 
        appreciation for distinctive American wine-growing regions in 
        the United States and abroad.
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