[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 51 (Tuesday, March 21, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E234]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         HONORING CHUCK McMINN

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. MIKE THOMPSON

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, March 21, 2023

  Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Chuck 
McMinn, the St. Helena Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year for his 
excellent work in our community.
  Mr. McMinn is a graduate of Harvard business school and a successful 
Silicon Valley entrepreneur. Mr. McMinn and his wife Anne purchased the 
Vineyard 29 winery in the Napa Valley in 1999. They began producing 
Cabernet Sauvignon and established a beacon of environmentally 
sustainable winemaking, combining a passion for excellent wine with 
responsible production. The winery uses an on-site well and generates 
electricity on-site, minimizing its impact on the Napa Valley 
ecosystem. These and other sustainability practices allow Vineyard 29 
to be 250 percent more efficient in how it utilizes natural resources, 
ensuring that the area can continue to supporting winemaking for 
generations to come.
  After moving to Napa Valley, Mr. McMinn has also worked tirelessly in 
various philanthropic pursuits to improve our area. Mr. McMinn founded 
Napa-Learns, a nonprofit devoted to providing students in Napa County 
with valuable skills and resources through innovative public education 
programs. He also founded the Rail Arts District, a contemporary 
outdoor art museum designed to extend the benefits of public art to the 
semi-industrial neighborhoods of Napa Valley. As a board member of the 
St. Helena Hospital Foundation, the St. Helena Viticultural Society, 
and Appellations St. Helena, Mr. McMinn has extended his time, passion, 
and energy to the Napa Valley community.
  In addition, Mr. McMinn is the founder and board president of the 
nonprofit Napa Valley Vine Trail Coalition. Under his leadership, the 
Vine Trail board team has grown to include members and organizations 
representing a broad spectrum of community and civic interests. This 
dedicated all-volunteer team share a vision to build a continuous trail 
connecting the entire Napa Valley from Vallejo's Ferry Terminal to the 
foot of Mount St. Helena. The Vine Trail will link the entirety of Napa 
Valley, physically, culturally, and artistically. The benefits of such 
a trail include increased tourism, a safe and environmentally friendly 
commuting alternative, and greater access to the beautiful and diverse 
Napa community.
  Mr. Speaker, it is evident that Mr. McMinn has worked selflessly for 
the betterment of the Napa Valley community. Therefore, it is fitting 
and proper that we honor him here today.

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