HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 2002-4697, by Representatives Chandler, Conway, Hankins, Morell and Skinner

      WHEREAS, Washington's first wine grapes were planted at Fort Vancouver by the Hudson's Bay Company in 1825 and by 1910 wine grapes were growing in most areas of the state with a total economic impact in Washington state today of 2.4 billion dollars; and

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

      WHEREAS, The Washington state wine industry has brought recognition to Washington state as one of the world's premier agricultural regions with 300 wine grape growers and 170 wineries calling the Evergreen state home and more than 29,000 acres of choice vineyard land planted to vinifera grapes in five officially designated AVA's:  The Columbia valley, Yakima valley, Red Mountain, Puget Sound, and Walla Walla appellations; and

      WHEREAS, Washington state currently ranks second in the United States in total premium wine production with more than 29,000 acres planted to vinifera grapes, producing an expected 97,500 tons in 2001, with finished goods representing over 11 million gallons of wine and over 4 million cases of wine with a total retail value of over 700 million dollars; and

      WHEREAS, The Washington state wine industry was recently recognized as "Wine Region of the Year" as part of Wine Enthusiast Magazine's 2001 Annual Wine Awards; and

      WHEREAS, Washington state was the second wine region to receive this award and the first American region with Wine Enthusiast Magazine recognizing Washington's rapid 20 year rise in producing world-class wines, a very short time in the world of wine; and

      WHEREAS, Significant developments in Washington state included the formation of the Washington Wine Commission in 1987, a unified marketing and trade association which established the Washington Wine Quality Alliance (WWQA) in 1999 to spearhead development of industry standards in wine making and labeling resulting in Washington as the first state in the country to define standards for "reserve" wines; and

      WHEREAS, It is the people who make up the Washington wine industry and the unmatched spirit of sharing and cooperation that exists from the largest winery to the smallest wine grape grower that ultimately makes all this success possible;

      NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives recognize the extraordinary achievements of the Washington state wine industry and the economic benefits it provides for the people of the state of Washington; and

      BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives encourage all the citizens of Washington state to visit and enjoy the many excellent wineries throughout the state; and

      BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution be immediately transmitted by the Chief Clerk of the House of Representatives to the Washington Wine Commission.

          I hereby certify this to be a true and correct copy of

         4697 Resolution adopted by the House of Representatives

                            February 11, 2002.

                      _____________________________

                       Cynthia Zehnder, Chief Clerk