[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 188 (Thursday, November 16, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1585]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




RECOGNIZING THE 10TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ST. HELENA STAR AND NAPA VALLEY 
                         VINTNERS TASTING PANEL

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                           HON. MIKE THOMPSON

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, November 16, 2017

  Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the 
St. Helena Star and Napa Valley Vintners Tasting Panel upon the 
occasion of their 10th Anniversary of informing wine lovers with 
thoughtful information about Napa Valley wines.
  In 2007, David Stoneberg from the St. Helena Star, Terry Hall from 
the Napa Valley Vintners and Stefan Blicker from Blicker, Pierce and 
Wagner Wine created the Tasting Panel. Each month, the 20 to 25 person 
panel hosts a wine tasting and judging. This community tradition has 
helped journalists and the wine community build stronger relationships.
  In March 2017, the Editor & Publisher, a trade publication for the 
newspaper industry, recognized the Tasting Panel in their article, ``10 
Newspapers that Do It Right.'' This article praised the Tasting Panel 
for creating ``a better way to report on the wines they were 
recommending to readers.''
  The Tasting Panel has held more than 100 tastings of Napa Valley 
wines. The articles that journalists write about these tastings help 
consumers learn about wine and appreciate the hard working winemakers 
in our community.
  Mr. Speaker, the St. Helena Star and Napa Valley Vintners Tasting 
Panel has been providing quality information to our community about 
Napa Valley wines for the past 10 years. I am proud to have such a 
great tradition to showcase the best wine in the world. Therefore, it 
is fitting and proper that we honor them here today.

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