[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 104 (Tuesday, July 7, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E998]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


CELEBRATING THE GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY OF MR. AND MRS. JIM AND BETTY HELD'S 
               OWNERSHIP OF THE STONE HILL WINERY COMPANY

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                        HON. BLAINE LUETKEMEYER

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 7, 2015

  Mr. LUETKEMEYER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to ask my colleagues to 
join me in celebrating the Golden Anniversary of Mr. and Mrs. Jim and 
Betty Held's ownership of the Stone Hill Winery Company. Stone Hill 
Winery continues to be one of Missouri's most preeminent businesses, 
and has received numerous accolades throughout the Helds' 50 years of 
ownership. Today, the winery farms seven vineyards and purchases grapes 
from five independent growers in the state; thus, producing more than 
250,000 gallons of Missouri grown wine and contributing over $7 million 
to the state's economy each year.
   The story of the Stone Hill Wine Company begins in 1847, when it was 
founded by Mr. Michael Poeschel. The winery quickly grew in popularity 
and size, and soon became the second largest winery in the United 
States. In the 1880's, Stone Hill's thriving business allowed Missouri 
to become the leading wine producing state in the nation. On December 
28, 1901 an ornately decorated bottle of Stone Hill Wine Company 
``Pearl of Missouri'' Extra Dry Champagne was used to christen the 
first USS Missouri, Battleship (BB-11).
   Unfortunately, prohibition would soon take a hit on the state's wine 
production and Stone Hill; killing the thriving industry in Missouri. 
This despair would not last long. In 1961, after returning home from 
his service in the Navy, Jim Held planted a four acre vineyard of 
catawba grapes near Hermann, Missouri. Only four years later, Jim was 
asked by the then current owner of Stone Hill to reopen a winery on the 
property, and on July 5, 1965, the Held's officially reopened the Stone 
Hill Winery.
   Since its reopening, the winery has restored the wine industry in 
Missouri. In 1969, Stone Hill Winery was placed on the National 
Register of Historic Places. Several years later, the Held's traveled 
to Washington, D.C. in 1982 to receive the award for Missouri's Small 
Business of the Year, presented by President Ronald Reagan. The awards 
did not end there, as the Held's received Hall of Fame recognition from 
the Missouri Division of Tourism and the Pioneer Award from the 
Missouri Grape and Wine Program. Additionally, the winery has been 
awarded the Missouri's Governor's Cup on nine occasions for producing 
the best wine in Missouri and has received three C.V. Riley Awards for 
the Best Missouri Norton, the official state grape of Missouri. In 
2014, in honor of his accomplishments and revival of the Missouri Wine 
Industry, Jim was conferred an Honorary Doctor of Laws Degree from the 
University of Missouri, Columbia.
   The Helds have come a long way since first reopening the Stone Hill 
Winery with only $1,500 to their name. Jim and Betty's hard work and 
dedication have not only afforded enjoyment for Missourians, but 
provided jobs across the state. Their award-winning winery has proven 
to be a staple to Missouri, and its wines continue to be enjoyed by 
individuals across the United States.
   I ask you to join me in congratulating Mr. and Mrs. Held for the 
accomplishments throughout the years and celebrating their 50th 
Anniversary as owners of the Stone Hill Winery.

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