[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 132 (Friday, September 7, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1833]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  HONORING BUENA VISTA CARNEROS WINERY

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                           HON. MIKE THOMPSON

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, September 7, 2007

  Mr. THOMPSON of California. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor 
Buena Vista Carneros on the 150th anniversary of the founding of this 
historic estate. Buena Vista Carneros was the first premium winery 
established in California, and 150 years later it remains one of the 
leading wineries in, the world's foremost wine producing region.
  The estate was founded in 1857 by Hungarian Count Agoston Haraszthy 
after he was introduced to the Sonoma wines by General Mariano 
Guadalupe Vallejo. General Vallejo learned of his interest in 
winemaking when the Count first arrived in the Sonoma Valley, and after 
a tasting session the Count decided to remain in the region and plant 
his own vineyards. With the success of the winery, Count Haraszthy was 
commissioned by the California State Legislature to travel through 
Europe in order to gather the finest European cuttings to bring back to 
California. In total, the Count gathered more than 100,000 cuttings of 
350 varietals for the nascent California wine industry. In 1969, in 
recognition both of his famous winery and his contribution to 
California viticulture, Congress recognized Count Haraszthy as `The 
Father of Californian Winemaking'. Today, Buena Vista Winery and 
Vineyards is recognized as a California Registered Historic Landmark.
  Buena Vista winery's storied history truly takes off with the 
acquisition of 700 acres in the Cameros appellation in 1969. This 
initial holding was quickly expanded to a total of 1,000 acres, and 
coincided with the rise to prominence of the Carneros region, built 
largely on a reputation for producing excellent cool-weather wines. 
Since that time, as Sonoma Valley has gained prominence as one of the 
world's premier wine regions, Carneros' fame has continued to rise. In 
2005, Buena Vista winery was renamed Buena Vista Carneros to coincide 
with a replanting of its estate vineyards into small blocks arranged to 
best capture Carneros' subtle variations.
  Madam Speaker, it is appropriate at this time that we acknowledge 
Buena Vista Carneros on the 150th anniversary of its founding. As 
California's first winery, Buena Vista Carneros is truly a testament to 
the enduring quality and character of California wine, and today it 
remains among the Sonoma Valley's finest wineries.

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