[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 17]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 23312]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                  HONORING TREFETHEN FAMILY VINEYARDS

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                           HON. MIKE THOMPSON

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, August 3, 2007

  Mr. THOMPSON of California. Madam Speaker, I rise today to 
congratulate Trefethen Family Vineyards for the award they have 
received from Decanter Magazine honoring Trefethen's 2002 Reserve 
Cabernet Sauvignon as the best North American Red Bordeaux Varietal. 
This is a remarkable and worthy achievement reflecting Trefethen Family 
Vineyards' rich history of superb winemaking in the Napa Valley.
  Trefethen Family Vineyards was established in 1968 when Gene and 
Katie Trefethen purchased the historic Eshcol Winery and surrounding 
vineyards in the Oak Knoll district to create a new estate. The family 
restored the original winery building, which was constructed in 1886 
and is the only remaining example of a three-floor, gravity flow winery 
in the Napa Valley. In 1988, the old winery building was listed on the 
National Register of Historic places.
  In 1973, John and Janet Trefethen opened a modern winery on the 
property and began producing small batches of premium wines with the 
help of vineyard manager Tony Baldini. Trefethen Family Vineyards 1976 
Chardonnay was recognized as ``Best in the World'' at the 1979 Wine 
Olympics in Paris. Since then, Trefethen Family Vineyards has continued 
to produce wines of the highest quality, as reflected in this latest, 
international award.
  Madam Speaker and colleagues, it is appropriate at this time that we 
congratulate Trefethen Family Vineyards and the Trefethen family for 
the award they have received. This award is fitting testimony to the 
family's commitment to excellence and their dedication to helping build 
on the Napa Valley's reputation as the world's premier wine region.

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