[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 211 (Tuesday, December 7, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1328-E1329]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         HONORING MARTHA BARRA

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JARED HUFFMAN

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, December 7, 2021

  Mr. HUFFMAN. Madam Speaker, I rise today with my colleague 
Congressman Mike Thompson in recognition of the 80th birthday of Martha 
Barra and her lifetime of work building the Barra family wine business 
of Mendocino County into an industry leader in sustainable, organic 
wine production.
  Born on December 14, 1941, Martha's career in the wine industry began 
in 1980, when she married the late Charlie Barra, a trailblazer in 
Mendocino County's early wine industry. Under the stewardship of Martha 
and Charlie Barra, Barra of Mendocino and Girasole Vineyards broke new 
ground, setting the standard for ecologically friendly wine grape 
growing and wine making techniques, and becoming leaders in Mendocino 
County's nascent environmentally conscious `green' wine industry.
  Martha Barra learned the wine business from the inside out, exploring 
ecologically conscious agriculture and production methods long before 
these practices were well known. She went on to directly-manage the 
winery's organic certification process herself for nearly 30 years. 
Today, all of the grapes grown on the 325 acre Barra vineyard in 
Mendocino County's inland valley are 100 percent certified organic. 
Thanks to her pioneering efforts in eco-friendly agriculture, close to 
25 percent of the vineyards in Mendocino County are also certified 
organic.
  Barra of Mendocino and Girasole Vineyards remains an independent, 
family-owned and operated business under Martha Barra's leadership. As 
the matriarch of a multi-talented family, Barra employed the skills of 
her adult children to continue to elevate the business. Today, her son 
and daughter assist her in growing nine different varietals, producing 
and marketing two wine brands, operating a 2.8 million gallon custom 
crush facility, and running a uniquely charming events center located 
along Highway 101.
  Originally designed to look like an inverted wine glass, the 5,000 
square foot Barra Winery Event Center hosts private events enjoyed by 
both Mendocino County residents and visitors from near and far. The 
Barra Winery Event Center reflects Martha Barra's community-minded 
values by also providing a uniquely beautiful space for fundraising 
opportunities to support local nonprofits, and her BARRA of Mendocino 
donates to a range of charitable organizations, with a special 
dedication toward causes of promoting and supporting the needs of 
children, cancer research, awareness, and patient support and improving 
our local community.
  In the face of changing and challenging times including the COVID-19 
pandemic, Martha Barra has led the family business to continue to 
prosper, offering COVID-safe wine tasting to guests at their winery, as 
well as virtual tasting events and wine distribution in 35 states and 
several countries.
  Martha Barra currently spends most of her time overseeing the 
vineyard operations, doing local tastings and events, working with the 
winemakers to set flavor profiles, and managing the organic 
certification processes. At wine events, she is known fondly for 
handing out shiny stickers of bees, representing her commitment to the 
importance of sustainable agriculture. From learning the intricacies of 
organic wine production, to food and wine pairing, studying 
architecture and remodeling houses, Martha Barra is a person of many 
talents.
  Martha Barra's enduring commitment to protecting the environment and 
the people of Mendocino County, while also producing premier, award-
winning wine, is remarkable and a benefit to the region. Madam Speaker, 
please join us in recognizing Martha Barra for her many contributions 
and wishing her a wonderful birthday.

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