Governor Jerry Brown Proclaims September 2011 California Wine Month

Celebrate California Wine at Consumer Events Across the State

SACRAMENTO, Calif., Aug. 24, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Governor Jerry Brown has proclaimed September 2011 as California Wine Month, the seventh consecutive year the state has recognized the contributions of the state's growers and vintners by proclamation. To celebrate, many of the Golden State's wineries, winegrape growers and regional associations are hosting special consumer wine events.

"As an industry, California wine brings innumerable benefits to the state. Our scenic and historic wine-growing regions, a renowned cuisine based on food and wine pairings, and the opportunity to taste and purchase our world-famous wines bring an estimated 20.7 million tourists to our state each year," said Governor Brown in the proclamation. "Our state's wineries create jobs for 330,000 Californians and revenue from retail sales of $18.4 billion, including $1.14 billion in exports sales to 122 countries." To view the complete proclamation, go to www.discovercaliforniawine.com/learn/governors-proclamation.  

From special tastings and harvest tours, to wine education classes and wine and food festivals, consumers can take in many celebration events throughout California. To find the latest events this September, go to www.discovercaliforniawine.com/learn/september-winery-events and visit the site regularly to check the 50 events to date in a growing list of wine happenings.

Some major multi-region and multi-winery events occur during California Wine Month, which coincides with the launch of harvest season. On Labor Day weekend, Sonoma Wine Country Weekend, named one of the 10 Best Wine & Food Events in the U.S. (Celebrated Living),will feature more than 170 award winning wineries and 60 chefs showcasing their talents at Taste of Sonoma at MacMurray Ranch, as well as a wine auction, seminars, cooking demonstrations, vineyard tours and parties at other wineries. Also that weekend is Livermore's 30th Annual Harvest Wine Celebration, where complimentary shuttle buses take guests to more than 40 Livermore Valley wineries sharing their finest wines, as well as local music, art and food.

Other highlights include CRUSH: Temecula Valley 2nd Annual Wine & Culinary Showcase, a multi-winery harvest festival with wine, food and live music on Sept. 10, as well as the availability of passport savings to five wineries anytime during the month. On Sept. 16, Madera Vintners Association's California Wine Month Reception & Wine Tasting will feature area wineries offering wine and food at Birdstone Winery on Sept. 16 in Madera, and Pinotfest Monterey is a Monterey beach party and charity auction with live music, food and wine that will showcase several wineries. On Sept. 17, more than 20 Santa Barbara area wineries are holding a Cabernet Franc wine tasting with live music, appetizers and a seminar at FrancFest at Buttonwood Farm Winery in Solvang.

Also on Sept. 17, CALIFORNIA WINE RUSH, a walk-around tasting showcasing top wines from more than a dozen California wine regions throughout the state will take place in San Francisco in the Grand Hall of the historic Ferry Building during the lively Saturday farmer's market. Savor the Central Coast 2011, presented by Sunset Magazine and the San Luis Obispo County Visitors and Conference Bureau, will feature a grand tasting with 200-plus wineries, wine seminars, winemaker dinners and other culinary adventures during this four-day experience Sept. 29-Oct. 2.

California is home to more than 4,600 grape growers and 3,400 bonded wineries, its fertile land accounting for approximately 90 percent of wine production in the United States. Governor Brown's proclamation highlights how the California wine community's commitment to economic and environmental sustainability reflects its intention to remain in operation for many generations to come and to "preserve the land and human capital that make possible the continuing bounty of California wine." California has a widely adopted sustainable winegrowing and winemaking program with participation by vineyards and wineries in all of the regions hosting California Wine Month events. California Wine Month, established and coordinated by Wine Institute and the California Association of Winegrape Growers, is also supported by several hotel, restaurant, retail and association partners including:

National/regional: California Travel and Tourism Commission; California Grocers Association; Safeway; Vons; California Pizza Kitchen; Kimpton Hotels; Amtrak; P.F. Chang's China Bistro; Morton's The Steakhouse; Bonefish Grill; Vino Volo.

California: Ferry Plaza Wine Merchant (San Francisco); The Ritz Carlton, Los Angeles; JW Marriott Los Angeles L.A. LIVE; Corkbar (Los Angeles); Napa Valley Grille (Westwood).

New York: California Wine Merchant; 67 Wine & Spirits; Chelsea Wine Vault; Morrell& Co; Morrell Wine Bar & Cafe (Manhattan); Brooklyn Wine Exchange; Custom American Wine Bar; Red, White and Bubbly; Thirst Wine Merchant (Brooklyn); Bedford Wine Merchants; Rye Brook Wine & Spirits (Westchester).

Established in 1934, Wine Institute is the association of more than 1,000 California wineries and wine-related businesses that initiate and advocate state, federal and international public policy to enhance the environment for the responsible production, consumption and enjoyment of wine.  Wine Institute members represent 85 percent of U.S. wine production and 90 percent of U.S. wine exports.  For more information, see www.wineinstitute.org.  

The California Association of Winegrape Growers (CAWG) represents the growers of more than 60 percent of the gross grape tonnage crushed for wine and concentrate in California. The statewide association provides industry leadership to advocate for public policies, research and education programs, sustainable farming practices and trade positions to enhance the business of growing California winegrapes. For more information, see www.cawg.org.

Wine Institute prohibits discrimination in its programs on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability and marital or familial status. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact [email protected].

SOURCE Wine Institute