[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 172 (Friday, October 17, 2025)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E965-E966]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         HONORING PHIL COTURRI

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. MIKE THOMPSON

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, October 17, 2025

  Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Phil 
Coturri as he celebrates his 60th harvest in Sonoma Valley. Over six 
decades, Mr. Coturri has become a pioneer in organic viticulture and a 
leading voice in sustainable winegrowing, leaving a lasting impact on 
California's agricultural and environmental landscape.
  Born on October 3, 1952, in San Francisco, Mr. Coturri grew up in the 
Italian neighborhood of Visitation Valley and spent weekends and 
summers at his family's home in Glen Ellen. When Mr. Coturri was eight, 
his parents purchased a small property on Sonoma Mountain, where they 
planted two acres of Zinfandel. By age eleven, he was making wine 
alongside his father and brother, sparking a lifelong passion for 
viticulture. Mr. Coturri later earned a Bachelor of Arts in American 
Literature from Sonoma State University and married his wife, Arden 
Kremer, with whom he shares two

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sons, Sam and Max, and four grandchildren: Althea, Sabine, Hudson, and 
Wilder.
  Mr. Coturri's professional journey began with his first harvest in 
1965 at Laurel Glen Vineyard, where he gained firsthand experience in 
vineyard management. In 1979, he founded Enterprise Vineyards, setting 
out to prove that organic practices could thrive in commercial 
winegrowing. At a time when chemical use was the industry norm, Mr. 
Coturri pioneered a holistic, year-round approach focused on soil 
health and biodiversity. Under his leadership, Enterprise Vineyards has 
grown to employ more than 160 full-time workers and manage over 700 
acres of certified organic and biodynamic vineyards across our Sonoma, 
Napa, and Solano Counties. His work has helped establish organic 
viticulture as a cornerstone of modern sustainable agriculture.
  Throughout his career, Mr. Coturri has earned widespread recognition 
for his leadership and innovation. Often referred to as the ``Master of 
Mountain Viticulture'' and the ``Godfather of Sonoma Wine Country,'' he 
has shaped both the cultural and physical landscape of our Sonoma 
Valley. Mr. Coturri's grapes have supplied many of California's most 
celebrated wines, with the North Bay Bohemian naming him Winemaker of 
the Year in 2020 and Winegrower of the Year in 2023. He also played a 
key role in the 2013 designation of the Moon Mountain District AVA, 
reflecting his decades of expertise farming the volcanic terrain.
  In 2005, the Coturri family founded Winery Sixteen 600, dedicated to 
Rhone and heritage varietals sourced from notable sites across our 
Sonoma Valley, including Moon Mountain. In 2015, the family opened the 
Winery Sixteen 600 Tasting House in downtown Sonoma, which has since 
become a local hub for music and art. The tasting room features a vast 
vinyl record collection and artwork celebrating Bay Area creativity. 
His sons, Sam and Max, now carry on the family legacy through their 
leadership in the winery and vineyard operations.
  Beyond his professional achievements, Mr. Coturri has been an active 
supporter of the local community. He has contributed to organizations 
such as the Sonoma Valley Vintners and Growers Alliance, Swim America 
Sonoma, the Seva Foundation, the Rex Foundation, and La Luz Center, 
reflecting his enduring commitment to the place and people that shaped 
his life's work.
  Mr. Speaker, we thank Phil Coturri for his six decades of leadership, 
innovation, and service to our Sonoma Valley. It is fitting and proper 
that we honor him here today for his lifelong dedication to sustainable 
agriculture and his lasting contributions to our community.

                          ____________________