[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 9 (Tuesday, January 22, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E54]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 COMMEMORATING ``MR. MENDOCINO'' JOHN A. PARDUCCI FOR HIS OUTSTANDING 
           CONTRIBUTION TO THE MENDOCINO COUNTY WINE INDUSTRY

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                           HON. MIKE THOMPSON

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, January 22, 2008

  Mr. THOMPSON of California. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor a 
legendary grape grower, winemaker and friend on the occasion of his 
90th birthday. John Angelo Parducci has been in the wine business in 
Mendocino County for more than seven decades.
  His contributions to the wine industry in Mendocino County, as well 
as to all of northern California, have helped one of the region's most 
important agricultural products grow to international acclaim. His 
lifelong commitment began at an early age.
  The grandson of an Italian immigrant, John Parducci is a third 
generation winemaker. He was born on January 22, 1918, to Adolph 
Parducci and Isabella Katherine Lucchetti Parducci in the same house 
where his mother had been born, just south of the Mendocino County 
line. Adolph moved his family to Ukiah, and at about the same time 
Prohibition began, built Parducci Winery, the oldest in Mendocino 
County.
  In 1933, 14-year-old John accompanied 40 train carloads of grapes his 
family was shipping to the east coast. When he returned to Ukiah, he 
took part in the first of a lifetime of grape harvests. He filled jugs 
from magnificent 50-gallon redwood tanks, some of which still exist at 
the old winery. Parducci was the first to bottle and label varietal 
wines in Mendocino County, the first to use Anderson Valley on a label 
and the first to promote Mendocino winemaking around the country.
  In 1937, John Parducci married the love of his life Margaret Louise 
Romer. They had two sons. In 1960 he took over the winery from his 
father and continued with his passionate and opinionated quest to make 
great wine at an affordable price. The original Parducci Winery was 
recently purchased by the Mendocino Wine Company, which continues the 
label.
  Not one to retire, however, in 1999, John Parducci and his grandson 
Rich, started McNab Ridge Winery in the pristine McNab Valley, where 
John hunted deer, turkey, and wild pigs in his younger years. His 
winemaking legacy continues under the McNab Ridge and John A. Parducci 
Signature Heritage Series labels.
  Accolades and honors have poured in over the years. In 2003 he was 
awarded the California State Fair Lifetime Achievement Award. He has 
been America's Ambassador of Wine, recognized by the Wine Institute, 
and named winemaker of the year by the Los Angeles County Fair, the 
North Coast Knights of the Vine, the City of Los Angeles, and the Texas 
Knights of the Vine.
  Over the years John has found time to give service to the community 
through his membership in the Masons, Rotary and Shriners in Ukiah. In 
1999 he received the prestigious Norman Lippman Award in Nashville for 
his community service as well as his winemaking.
  Madam Speaker and colleagues, John Parducci has earned the admiration 
and respect of his peers and left a positive legacy for the future of 
winemaking not only in Mendocino County, but all across our country. 
For these reasons, it is appropriate that we honor Mr. Mendocino--John 
Parducci.

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