Commending Southern California Wineries and Vineyards Resolution.

Whereas wine growers in southern California counties are a proud and established local institution that make lasting contributions to the economies of our State and Nation by producing beloved wines, creating jobs, and growing regional tourism; Whereas, despite facing formidable challenges, including prolonged droughts, high labor and energy costs, and burdensome land use regulations, southern California wine growers have continually exhibited resilience and achieved success; Whereas the wine industry in southern California has demonstrated uncommon adaptability and employed innovative solutions to optimize water usage through drip irrigation systems, exploring the development of drought-resistant grape varieties, and experimenting with new automated growing technologies; Whereas southern California wine growers have created abundant new opportunities for employment and economic development in the region; Whereas the southern California wine industry employs more than 600,000 Americans, and more than 422,000 are from California alone; Whereas, comprised of 93 vineyard and winery operations, Riverside County wineries and wine-related businesses generate an average of more than 17,000 jobs and more than $956,000,000 every year, as well as $2,700,000,000 in annual economic activity in the State; Whereas, comprised of 203 vineyard and winery operations, San Diego County wineries and wine-related businesses generate more than 29,000 jobs and more than $1,700,000,000 every year, as well as $4,400,000,000 in annual economic activity in the State; Whereas, comprised of 45 vineyard and winery operations, Orange County wineries and wine-related businesses generate more than 30,000 jobs and more than $1,800,000,000 every year, as well as $4,700,000,000 in annual economic activity in the State; Whereas, comprised of 13 vineyard and winery operations, San Bernardino County wineries and wine-related businesses generate more than 13,400 jobs and more than $752,000,000 every year, as well as $2,000,000,000 in annual economic activity in the State; Whereas, comprised of 498 vineyard and winery operations, San Luis Obispo County wineries and wine-related businesses generate more than 9,700 jobs and more than $600,000,000 every year, as well as $1,900,000,000 in annual economic activity in the State; Whereas, comprised of 327 vineyard and winery operations, Santa Barbara County wineries and wine-related businesses generate more than 10,200 jobs and more than $602,000,000 every year, as well as $1,700,000,000 in annual economic activity in the State; Whereas, comprised of 45 vineyard and winery operations, Ventura County wineries and wine-related businesses generate more than 6,900 jobs and almost $400,000,000 every year, as well as $1,000,000,000 in annual economic activity in the State; Whereas the southern California wine industry has played a vital role in promoting tourism, drawing visitors to the region, and enriching its overall economic landscape; Whereas, in 2022, Riverside County welcomed approximately 3,200,000 visitors to its Temecula Valley wineries and generated $487,400,000 in annual tourism spending; Whereas, in 2022, San Diego County wineries generated over $911,000,000 in annual tourism spending; Whereas, in 2022, Orange County wineries generated $854,600,000 in annual tourism spending; Whereas, in 2022, San Bernardino County wineries generated $376,400,000 in annual tourism spending; Whereas, in 2022, San Luis Obispo County wineries generated nearly $84,000,000 in annual tourism spending; Whereas, in 2022, Santa Barbara County wineries generated over $117,000,000 in annual tourism spending; Whereas, in 2022, Ventura County wineries generated nearly $171,000,000 in annual tourism spending; Whereas Thrillist, a digital media company that offers travel recommendations, named Southern California Wine Country an Underrated Wine Region to Visit in 2024 Whereas, in 2019, Wine Enthusiast named Riverside County’s Temecula Valley as one of the top 10 best wine travel destinations worldwide; Whereas, in 2023, a Temecula Valley winery received 2 gold-winning wines and 6 silver-winning wines at Sunset Magazine’s Annual International Wine Competition in Santa Rosa, California; Whereas, in 2023, Wine Enthusiast named a 2021 San Luis Obispo County wine as one of the year’s top 10 California wines; and Whereas the high-quality wines produced by southern California wine growers have earned national and international acclaim, further bolstering the reputation of California as a premier wine-producing region: Now, therefore, be it That the House of Representatives recognizes— (1) the importance of southern California wine growers and the wine industry to the State of California; and (2) the significant contributions the southern California wine industry has made to the American economy, tourism industry, and job market.

Summary: This resolution recognizes (1) the importance of southern California wine growers and the wine industry to California; and (2) the significant contributions of the southern California wine industry to the U.S. economy, tourism industry, and job market.