WHEREAS, Today, the Washington wine industry has achieved international fame for its outstanding wine products, with Washington wine being shipped to all 50 states and to more than 40 countries across the world; and

WHEREAS, Washington wines now contribute more than 4.8 billion dollars annually to our state's economy and support over 25,000 jobs in every corner of our state; and

WHEREAS, Washington is now home to over 350 growers of wine grapes and over 900 wineries, which span nearly 50,000 acres of choice vineyard land planted with vinifera grapes in fourteen officially designated American Viticultural Areas: Ancient Lakes, Columbia Gorge, Columbia Valley, Horse Heaven Hills, Lake Chelan, Lewis-Clark Valley, Naches Heights, Puget Sound, Rattlesnake Hills, Red Mountain, Snipes Mountain, Yakima Valley, Wahluke Slope, and Walla Walla Valley; and

WHEREAS, Ste. Michelle Wine Estates traces its roots to the repeal of Prohibition and was a pioneer of vinifera grape production in Washington; and

WHEREAS, The golden anniversary of the first Ste. Michelle wines from vinifera grapes grown in eastern Washington will be celebrated this year; and

WHEREAS, In 1974, Ste. Michelle brought global recognition to the Washington wine industry, when its 1972 Riesling placed first in a blind tasting held by the Los Angeles Times; and

WHEREAS, In 1976, Ste. Michelle opened its iconic French-style winery Chateau, anchoring its home of Woodinville as a premium wine destination; and

WHEREAS, In 1978, the Chateau Ste. Michelle estate and grounds were added to the National Register of Historic Places; and

WHEREAS, Chateau Ste. Michelle opens its amphitheater as a beautiful concert venue for the enjoyment of its visitors in the summertime; and

WHEREAS, Chateau Ste. Michelle has been honored as Winery of the Year by Wine & Spirits magazine a record twenty-two times, more than any other winery in our country; and

WHEREAS, Chateau Ste. Michelle has a long history of giving back to the industry and community by using the net proceeds from its popular Summer Concert Series to help fund its charitable-giving program, which supports some 400 nonprofit organizations annually, and has provided more than 3 million dollars for scholarships for high-achieving, low-income students at Washington universities; and

WHEREAS, Chateau Ste. Michelle has been instrumental in the development of a state-of-the-art research and teaching institution for our state's wine industry, leading to the establishment of the Ste. Michelle Wine Estates Wine Science Center at the Washington State University campus in the Tri-Cities;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Washington State Senate recognize the extraordinary achievements of Chateau Ste. Michelle and the economic benefits and the luxuries it provides for the people of the state of Washington; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the Washington State Senate encourage all the citizens of Washington to visit and enjoy the excellent events hosted by Chateau Ste. Michelle; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution be immediately transmitted by the Secretary of the Senate to Chateau Ste. Michelle.