[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 14]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 19560-19561]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




      COMMEMORATING WARREN AND BARBARA WINIARSKI FOR SIGNIFICANT 
               CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE NAPA VALLEY COMMUNITY

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. MIKE THOMPSON

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 17, 2008

  Mr. THOMPSON of California. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor 
Warren and Barbara Winiarski. The Winiarskis are being honored by Napa 
County as the 2008 Grandparents of the Year.
  Mr. and Mrs. Winiarski met at St. John's College in Annapolis, 
Maryland. The Winiarskis along with their three children, Kasia, Julia 
and Stephen, moved to Napa County in 1964. They settled into the Stags 
Leap region, purchasing 44 acres in which they planted Cabernet 
Sauvignon and Merlot. They named the vineyard Stag's Leap, now known as 
S.L.V.
  The Winiarskis started their vineyard with modest means, but were 
soon propelled into the spotlight when their wine essentially changed 
the way California wines were perceived. In 1976 at the famous blind 
tasting in Paris, the second vintage produced by Stag's Leap Vineyard 
beat world renowned Chateau Mouton-Rothschild and Chateau Haut-Brion.,
  They were visionaries in supporting the 1968 decision by the Napa 
County Board of Supervisors to approve Agricultural Preserve Zoning. 
The decision prohibits the splitting of lots on the valley floor that 
are less than 20 acres in size. The Winiarskis also championed Measure 
J in the 1990s, which prevents the development of agricultural lands 
without voter approval. Stag's Leap Vineyard was also the first 
vineyard placed under a conservation easement, leading the way in 
environmental protection.
  Throughout their time in the Napa Valley, the Winiarskis have 
contributed greatly to the community. They always keep the futures of 
their five grandchildren in mind, whether preserving the land or 
creating fine wine.
  Madam Speaker and colleagues, the Winiarskis have earned the respect 
of their colleagues and community. Through visionary leadership they 
created pathways for others in the community to follow. For these 
reasons and for the lasting impact that Stag's Leap Vineyard has had, 
it is fitting at this time that we honor the Winiarskis.

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