[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 178 (Monday, October 30, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1027-E1028]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      HONORING THE 90TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE LOUIS M. MARTINI WINERY

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. MIKE THOMPSON

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, October 30, 2023

  Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a Napa 
Valley landmark, the Louis M. Martini winery. In 1906, Louis M. 
Martini, an Italian immigrant who first made wine with his father in 
San Francisco, began his winemaking journey with the simple goal of 
making the best Cabernet Sauvignon possible. He built a legacy of top-
notch hospitality, excellence, and innovation, championing fine dry 
wines, premium viticulture, and was a pioneer of temperature-controlled 
fermentation.
  In 1933, Louis M. Martini established the world-class Louis M. 
Martini Winery in St. Helena, California. This was the first winery to 
open after the Repeal of Prohibition in Napa County. Louis M. and his 
son, Louis P. Martini, were early adopters of cold fermentation,

[[Page E1028]]

a process that helps preserve a wine's fruit characteristics. They were 
also among the first to bottle a varietal Merlot in California. In 
1938, the family further invested in winemaking by purchasing the 
Goldstein Ranch in Sonoma, renaming it Monte Rosso Vineyard.
  Louis M. helped establish the Napa Valley Vintners Association with 
the aim of developing and promoting the quality of Napa Valley wines 
worldwide, while Louis P. pioneered the use of wind machines to prevent 
frost damage in vineyards. In 1954, Louis P. Martini inherited the role 
of winemaker from his father and would later be inducted into the 
Vintner's Hall of Fame as a ``Pioneer'' in the wine community.
  The impact of the winery's legacy extends far beyond wine. In 1994, 
the Louis P. Martini Endowment was established as a viticulture and 
enological research fund. This fund has supported students in their 
research and helped send them to the American Society of Enology and 
Viticulture National Meeting in Portland, Oregon.
  In 2019, the original winery was restored, introducing an array of 
world-class tasting experiences. Among the most significant additions 
to the winery during the redesign was the creation of a new culinary 
program, headed by Chef Jeffery Russell, and an extensive food and wine 
tasting known as the Martini Park and Cabana Experiences. Today, Louis 
M. Martini Winery has become a go-to destination for comprehensive 
tastings, educational experiences, and elevated food programs.
  Mr. Speaker, the Louis M. Martini Winery has established a legacy 
that encapsulates the enduring commitment and passion of the 
winemakers, growers, and enthusiasts behind the winery's longevity and 
success. It has played a crucial role in cultivating Napa Valley's 
reputation for world-class wines throughout the 20th and 21st 
centuries. It is therefore fitting and proper that we honor their 90 
years of winemaking here today.

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