[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 109 (Tuesday, July 10, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1478]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        HONORING ART FINKELSTEIN

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. MIKE THOMPSON

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 10, 2007

  Mr. THOMPSON of California. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor my 
friend Art Finkelstein from the Napa Valley, who is being honored with 
the first annual Al Brounstein Meritorious Award during the L'Chaim: To 
Life! Weekend. Mr. Finkelstein is receiving this high honor for his 
substantial contributions both to winemaking and to the Jewish 
community of the Napa Valley.
  Mr. Finkelstein was born in Chicago and grew up in Rock Island, 
Illinois before he moved out west for college. In Los Angeles, where he 
was a student at the University of Southern California, Mr. Finkelstein 
became involved with amateur winemaking while pursuing a career as an 
architect. Having won numerous awards for his wines, he moved to the 
Napa Valley and opened Whitehall Lane Winery with his brother in 1979.
  Mr. Finkelstein has a well-deserved reputation around the Napa Valley 
as a superb winemaker who enjoys crafting small lots and unique, 
individual wines. After selling Whitehall Lane in 1988, Mr. Finkelstein 
and his wife Bunny opened the smaller Judd's Hill Winery to focus on 
winemaking, not management. This hands-on setting allows him to 
concentrate on the art of winemaking, seeing the process through from 
planting to bottling. He has also founded Judd's Hill Microcrush, which 
allows customers to participate in the winemaking process from grape 
selection to press and storage, creating a small lot of wine crafted by 
that individual. In keeping with his love of winemaking, Mr. 
Finkelstein taught Small Winery Development for several years through 
Napa Valley College's Small Business Development program.
  Beyond the winery, Mr. Finkelstein has for many years been a 
prominent presence in the Napa Valley community. He has taken the lead 
in numerous causes throughout our valley. He has been active on the 
Little League baseball board in St. Helena, and is a trustee with the 
Jewish Community of Napa Valley where he helps facilitate many of the 
organization's good works in the arts and education throughout the 
valley.
  Mr. Finkelstein is a trustee of the Congregation Beth Shalom, and has 
served as Vice-President of the Congregation. He was on the search 
committee that brought Rabbi David White to the congregation, and 
assisted with religious services during the transition.
  Together, the Finkelstein family has been a social presence in the 
Napa Valley and I have long valued their friendship. His son Judd and 
daughter-in-law Holly have joined Art and Bunny at the winery, adding a 
new level of energy and enthusiasm to the family's new endeavor.
  Madam Speaker, it is appropriate at this time that we congratulate my 
friend Art Finkelstein for the award he is receiving, and thank him for 
his substantial contributions to winemaking and to our community.

                          ____________________