[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 79 (Thursday, May 21, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1254]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


         RECOGNIZING MICHAELA RODENO OF NAPA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. MIKE THOMPSON

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 21, 2009

  Mr. THOMPSON of California. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the 
many contributions made by my good friend, Michaela Rodeno, to the 
California wine industry and to Napa County. After serving 20 years as 
CEO of St. Supery Vineyards and Winery, Ms. Rodeno is retiring to 
become the winery's first CEO Emeritus.
  Ms. Rodeno began her career in the wine industry in 1972 as the first 
female tour guide at Beaulieu Vineyard in Rutherford. She quickly 
capitalized on her college major in French Literature by impressing the 
first French wine company to invest in California with her linguistic 
skills. She became the second employee hired at Domaine Chandon, which 
quickly became one of Napa County's premier wineries.
  Ms. Rodeno remained with Domaine Chandon for 15 years, advancing to 
the position of Vice President of Marketing. While there, she developed 
one of the first winery ``clubs'' in the industry, which eventually 
grew to more than 100,000 members. While at Domain Chandon, she also 
earned her MBA at the University of California, Berkeley.
  In 1988 she was offered the position of CEO at St. Supery, another 
French-backed winery. St. Supery Vineyards and Winery is known for its 
innovations in winemaking and its commitment to consumer education and 
their Napa Valley Estate Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon and 
meritage blends, Elu and Virtu, have earned critical acclaim and many 
awards.
  A true pioneering woman in the wine industry, Ms. Rodeno was one of 
the original cofounders of Women for WineSense, a national organization 
promoting wine as part of a healthy, balanced lifestyle. She is a 
founding director of the Wine Marketing Council, has chaired the 
Meritage Association and the Napa Valley Wine Auction and has also 
served on the boards of the Wine Institute and the Napa Valley 
Vintners.
  She and her husband, Greg, live on a 25 acre ranch near Oakville 
planted in Sauvignon Blanch and Pinot Grigio grapes and also own 
another 40 acres planted in Bordeaux varieties in Pope Valley. Although 
nearly all of the family's grapes are sold to Napa Valley vineries, 
they do produce a small amount of Sangiovese under their own Villa 
Ragazzi label.
  Madam Speaker, it is fitting at this time that we honor Michaela 
Rodeno today for her many accomplishments. She has had a distinguished 
career in the wine industry and will be long remembered for her many 
contributions and innovations. We wish her all the best, and I am proud 
to call her my friend.

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