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SACRAMENTO – North Coast Assemblymember Wesley Chesbro will chair a hearing on sustainable winegrowing practices in California on Thursday, April 12 at 1:30 p.m. in room 126 of the State Capitol.

"California's wine industry has been a national leader in the organic and sustainable agriculture movement," Chesbro said. "The First Assembly District has the largest number of wineries and vineyards in the state and I am pleased to say that most of these vintners have a high degree of consciousness about how their industry affects the environment. This is important, because California's wine industry has a huge economic impact - not just in this state but the entire nation – a $61 billion industry that creates jobs, generates tourism and contributes significantly to the tax base."

The hearing is a joint effort between the Assembly Select Committee on Wine, which Chesbro chairs, the Assembly Select Committee on Sustainable and Organic Agriculture, chaired by Assemblymember Mariko Yamada, and the state Senate Select Committee on California's Wine Industry. Assemblymember Yamada and Sen. Lois Wolk, representing the Senate committee, are scheduled to participate in the hearing as well.

"The hearing will focus on sustainable winegrowing practices, including water and energy conservation, protecting air and water quality, maintaining healthy soil, reducing pesticide use and preserving local ecosystems and wildlife habitat," Chesbro said.

Presenters include experts from the wine industry, sustainability programs and academia, including Bobby Koch, president of the Wine Institute; John Aguire, president of the California Association of Winegrape Growers; Allison Jordon, executive director of the California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance; and Roger Boulton, professor in the Deparment of Viticulture and Enology at UC Davis.

Also scheduled to speak are Cindy DeVries from Fetzer Vineyards, Katie Jackson and Robert Boller from Jackson Family Wines, David Lucas of Lucas Winery, and Kim Ledbetter Bronson from Vino Farms.

The public is invited to attend. There will be a public comment period at the end of the hearing.

Contact: Andrew Bird, Chesbro communications director, (916) 319-2001

Thursday, April 12, 2012 at 1:30 p.m.
California State Capitol
Room 126

Sustainable Winegrowing

1. Opening Comments
   Assemblymember Chesbro, Chair, Assembly Select Committee on Wine
   Assemblymember Yamada, Chair, Assembly Select Committee on Sustainable and Organic Agriculture
   Senator Wolk, Senate Select Committee on California’s Wine Industry
    
2. Overview of Sustainable Winegrowing
   Bobby Koch – President, Wine Institute
   John Aguirre – President, California Association of Winegrape Growers
    
3. California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance
   Allison Jordon, Executive Director
    
4. An Academic Perspective
   Dr. Roger Boulton, Department of Viticulture & Enology, University of California, Davis
    
5. Winery/Grower Perspective
   Cindy DeVries, Fetzer Vineyard, Mendocino County
   Katie Jackson and Robert Boller, Jackson Family Wines, Sonoma County
   Davis Lucas, Lucas Winery, Lodi, San Joaquin County
   Kim Ledbetter Bronson, Vino Farms, Napa, Sonoma, Yolo, San Joaquin, Sacramento, San Luis Obispo, and Santa Barbara Counties
    
6. Public Comment