Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 94

Introduced by Senator Evans

(Principal coauthor: Assembly Member Chesbro)

(Coauthors: Senators Cannella, Corbett, Padilla, and Wolk)

(Coauthors: Assembly Members Achadjian, Eggman, Williams, and Yamada)

March 6, 2014

Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 94—Relative to wineries.

LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL’S DIGEST

SCR 94, as introduced, Evans. “California Wines: Down to Earth” month.

This measure would proclaim April 2014 as the “California Wines: Down to Earth” month, to celebrate the sustainable leadership of California wineries and winegrape growers.

Fiscal committee: no.

WHEREAS, Sustainability is a vital part of the long-term future
of California wine, which contributes an estimated $61.5 billion
in annual economic impact to California’s economy; and

WHEREAS, The Wine Institute and the California Association
of Wine Grape Growers created the California Code of Sustainable
Winegrowing workbook more than a decade ago, with the third
edition released in January 2013, and it has since been used by
vineyards and wineries representing three quarters of California’s
wine grape acreage and production to self-assess operations; and

WHEREAS, The California Code of Sustainable Winegrowing
Program, now managed by the California Sustainable Winegrowing
Alliance, is comprised of more than 200 best practices for
vineyards and wineries that benefit the environment, employees,
neighbors, and high-quality wine; and

WHEREAS, Other state and regional sustainability programs,
such as Lodi Rules, Sustainability in Practice (SIP), Napa Green,
Fish Friendly Farming, the Green Business Program, and others,
all play an important role in the California wine communities’
efforts to grow grapes and produce wine in a manner that is
environmentally sound, economically feasible, and socially
equitable; and

WHEREAS, Growing participation in sustainable organic, and
biodynamic, certification programs further conveys California
vintners’ and growers’ adherence to high standards, desire for
transparency, and dedication to continuous improvement; and

WHEREAS, California’s wine community conserves water,
energy, and other natural resources, protects habitat, employee
welfare, and air, water, and soil quality, and promotes the use of
natural pest management and alternative energy and fuels; and

WHEREAS, California’s 3,800 wineries and 4,600 wine grape
growers are primarily family businesses, with a long-term
commitment to the health and vitality of their communities, and
to preserving the land for future generations; and

WHEREAS, California’s growers and vintners commitment to
sustainability has been documented in a newly published book,
Down to Earth, A Seasonable Tour of Sustainable Winegrowing
in California; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the Senate of the State of California, the Assembly
thereof concurring, That the Legislature proclaims April 2014 as
the time to celebrate the sustainable leadership of California
wineries and winegrape growers with the theme, “California Wines:
Down to Earth” month, timed to Earth Day on April 22nd; and be
it further

Resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate transmit copies of
this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.