IV 

116TH CONGRESS 

1ST SESSION H. RES. 642 

Recognizing the contributions of American Viticultural Areas and winegrowing regions. 

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 

OCTOBER 18, 2019 

Mr. BLUMENAUER (for himself and Mr. ZELDIN) submitted the following 

resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Ways and Means 

RESOLUTION 

Recognizing the contributions of American Viticultural Areas 

and wine-growing regions. 

Whereas wineries and vintners in the United States contribute to the economic and cultural life of the Nation; 

Whereas the economic contributions of wineries and vintners 

in the United States is significant and expansive, attributable to the activities of growers, suppliers, researchers, 

marketers, wholesalers, distributors, and retailers, among 

others; 

Whereas the American wine industry is estimated to have 

generated, directly and indirectly, more than $219 billion 

for the United States economy in 2017; 

Whereas there are more than 10,000 wineries operating in all 

50 States; 


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Whereas many of these wineries are small businesses and 

family owned; 

Whereas the wine industry directly employs nearly 1 million 

people in the United States and supports nearly 300,000 

jobs in industries that supply goods and services to 

winegrowers and wineries; 

Whereas the wages earned by those directly employed by 

wineries and the wine industry totaled more than $33 billion in 2017; 

Whereas wineries and wine regions not only drive economic 

activity through the production, distribution, and sale of 

wine but also attract substantial tourism-related interest 

and spending; 

Whereas wine regions in the United States each year host 

more than 43 million tourists and generate nearly $18 

billion in tourism expenditures; 

Whereas wine tourism supported 375,000 jobs that paid more 

than $10 billion in wages in 2017; 

Whereas American Viticultural Areas (AVAs) are designated 

wine-growing regions in the United States that have distinguishing features affecting viticulture, including climate, geology, soils, physical features, and elevation; 

Whereas the first American Viticultural Area was approved 

on June 20, 1980, for Augusta, Missouri, and, as of October 11, 2019, there have been 243 American 

Viticultural Areas established in the United States; 

Whereas at least 85 percent of a wine must be derived from 

grapes grown within the boundaries of the area in order 

to use the AVA name on its label; 


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Whereas an AVA designation allows vintners to describe more 

accurately the origin of their wines, and helps them build 

and enhance the reputation and value of the wines they 

produce; 

Whereas an AVA designation allows consumers to attribute 

a given quality, reputation, or other characteristic to a 

wine made from grapes grown in that area, and helps 

them identify wines they wish to purchase; 

Whereas appellations of origin, such as AVA designations, 

can assist American wine producers in establishing distinctive American place names in global markets and can 

create valuable export opportunities; 

Whereas wine exports generated more than $1.49 billion for 

United States producers last year, a threefold increase 

over the past 20 years; 

Whereas once an American Viticulture Area term, or other 

appellation of origin, is protected in a foreign country, it 

helps vintners effectively promote their products and increase awareness of their region; 

Whereas the United States wine industry is growing and accounts for 10 percent of global wine production; 

Whereas American wine-growing regions and wine growers 

have contributed not only to the economic prosperity of 

the Nation but have also enhanced its cultural prestige 

by developing and sharing with the world their internationally recognized wines; 

Whereas American consumers have benefitted from the rich 

diversity and extraordinary quality of American wines 

and wine-growing regions; and 


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Whereas responsibly enjoying wine often serves to enhance 

the richness of life and bring together more closely family 

and friends: Now, therefore, be it 

1 Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 

2 (1) recognizes the significant contributions to 

3 the economic and cultural life of the Nation made by 

4 American wines and distinctive American wine-grow5 ing regions; 

6 (2) recognizes the value created in domestic and 

7 foreign markets by promoting wines from distinctive 

8 American wine-growing regions, including those pro9 tected by American Viticultural Area designations or 

10 other appellations of origin; and 

11 (3) supports efforts to promote awareness of 

12 and appreciation for distinctive American wine-grow13 ing regions in the United States and abroad. 

Æ 


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