IV 
115TH CONGRESS 
2D SESSION 
H. RES. 766 
Recognizing the contributions of American Viticultural Areas and winegrowing 
regions. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
MARCH 7, 2018 
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 winegrowing regions. 
Whereas wineries and vintners in the United States con-
tribute 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, attrib-
utable 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 bil-
lion 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 dis-
tinguishing features affecting viticulture, including cli-
mate, geology, soils, physical features, and elevation; 
Whereas 2018 marks the 40th anniversary of the publication 
of the Department of the Treasury Decision to establish 
the American Viticulture Area designation system; 
Whereas the first American Viticultural Area was approved 
on June 20, 1980, for Augusta, Missouri, and, as of Jan-
uary 1, 2018, there have been 240 American Viticultural 
Areas established in the United States; 
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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; 
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 dis-
tinctive American place names in global markets and can 
create valuable export opportunities; 
Whereas wine exports generated more than $1.6 billion for 
United States producers last year, a fourfold 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 in-
crease awareness of their region; 
Whereas the United States wine industry is growing and ac-
counts 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 inter-
nationally recognized wines; 
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Whereas American consumers have benefitted from the rich 
diversity and extraordinary quality of American wines 
and wine-growing regions; and 
Whereas responsibly enjoying wine often serves to enhance 
the richness of life and bring together more closely family 
and friends: Now, therefore, be it 
Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 
(1) recognizes the significant contributions to 
the economic and cultural life of the Nation made by 
American wines and distinctive American wine-grow-
ing regions; 
(2) recognizes the value created in domestic and 
foreign markets by promoting wines from distinctive 
American wine-growing regions, including those pro-
tected by American Viticultural Area designations or 
other appellations of origin; and 
(3) supports efforts to promote awareness of 
and appreciation for distinctive American wine-grow-
ing regions in the United States and abroad. 
Æ 
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