[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 114 (Thursday, July 6, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E944-E945]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    HONORING GUSTAVO BRAMBILA, RECIPIENT OF THE AMERICAN DREAM AWARD

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. MIKE THOMPSON

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, July 6, 2017

  Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Mr. 
Gustavo Brambila, whom I have selected to receive the American Dream 
Award for California's 5th Congressional District. This award 
recognizes the achievements of immigrants in my district who have made 
remarkable contributions to our communities in the areas of Arts and 
Culture, Professional Achievement, Entrepreneurship and Innovation, or 
Community Service. Mr. Brambila is very deserving of this award and 
recognition.
  Mr. Brambila was born in Jalisco, Mexico, and immigrated to the 
United States in 1957. He is a successful vintner and his hard work and 
ingenuity makes him one of our community's finest entrepreneurs.
  Mr. Brambila developed an interest in wine making as he watched his 
father work in winery maintenance. He later joined Mike Grgich and Jim 
Barret in 1976 at Chateau Montelena to begin his career in the wine 
community. Shortly after, he joined Mike Grgich in the opening of 
Grgich Hill Cellars in 1977, where, in his first harvest, he produced 
the winning chardonnay in the Great Chardonnay Showdown of 1980. 
Inspired by old-world wine making techniques, Mr. Brambila produced his 
first wine under the Gustavo Wine label in 1996.

[[Page E945]]

  Mr. Brambila has been a trail blazer for both vintners and Mexican-
Americans. He was one of the first Latinos to earn a degree in 
Fermentation Science from University of California, Davis's oenolgy 
program. He has also traveled to Washington, D.C., with a group of 
Mexican-American Vintners to support the mission of the Smithsonian 
Institution. Mr. Brambila has been active in our community, appearing 
on our local news channel and hosting events like an outdoor movie 
night for local families. He has gained international recognition with 
his involvement in the landmark wine competition known as the Judgment 
of Paris.
  Mr. Speaker, we recognize Mr. Gustavo Brambila for his achievements 
and for enriching our community. It is fitting and proper that we honor 
him here today with the American Dream Award.

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