[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 87 (Friday, May 19, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E682]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       HONORING GUSTAVO BRAMBILA

                                  _____
                                 

                           HON. MIKE THOMPSON

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                          Friday, May 19, 2017

  Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor 
Gustavo Brambila, who owns and operates Gustavo Wine. Passion, skill, 
and dedication to his craft led Gustavo to the successes he sees today.
  Born in Jalisco, Mexico, Gustavo immigrated to the United States with 
his mother and brothers to join his father in Oakville, California in 
1957. The family moved to Rutherford, California in 1960, where 
Gustavo's father Jose worked in winery maintenance. Surrounded by the 
culture and devotion of famous winemakers from an early age, Gustavo 
grew up with a keen interest in winemaking. He attended the University 
of Oregon on a baseball scholarship, but his heart remained in wine 
country. He transferred to the University of California Davis, where he 
was one of the first Latinos to obtain a degree in Fermentation 
Sciences.
  In 1976, Gustavo joined Mike Grgich and Jim Barrett at Chateau 
Montelena to begin his career. Soon after, he joined Grgich Hills 
Cellar, where, in his first harvest, he produced the winning Chardonnay 
in the Great Chardonnay Showdown of 1980. Gustavo continued with Grgich 
Hills Cellar for 23 years, honing his craft and working to define wine 
excellence.
  Gustavo started his own wine enterprise, Gustavo Wines in 1996. Today 
he makes Napa Valley wines inspired by old-world winemaking techniques, 
with a dedication to small vineyards and quality fruit. He believes 
each wine should take you back ``to a memory of each vintage''.
  Gustavo traveled to Washington, D.C. this week as part of a group of 
Mexican-American vintners to support the mission of the Smithsonian 
Institution. They shared their amazing stories of immigration, 
sacrifice and determination and helped the attendees understand the 
vital contributions Mexican Americans make to our economy and 
community.
  Mr. Speaker, Gustavo Brambila has built a successful business and is 
producing extraordinary wines. I am proud to have such a dedicated 
business owner living and working in our community. It is therefore 
fitting and proper that we honor him here today.

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