Legislators, members of the Administration, and members of the California wine industry gathered last night at a reception hosted by Assemblymember Noreen Evans (D-Santa Rosa) and Senator Wesley Chesbro (D-Arcata) to honor the California wineries that made history 30 years ago in Paris when California wines were judged the best in the world.

Earlier yesterday, the Assembly passed ACR 153.  Authored by Evans and co-authored by Chesbro, it notes the significance of the Paris Tasting of 1976 on California ’s $45 billion wine industry and wine around the world.  Further information about ACR 153 is online at http://www.leginfo.ca.gov.

“The Paris Tasting changed the world of wine and California ’s wine industry forever,” says Evans, Chair of the Assembly Select Committee on Wine.  “It stunned the world and put California ’s wine industry on the map.  In 1976, the conventional wisdom was that French wines were the best.”

The Paris Tasting occurred on May 24, 1976 in Paris as a publicity stunt for French wines.  A panel of nine French judges, including famous culinary writers and respected sommeliers, tasted red and white wines blindly so that wines could not be recognized by visual characteristics.

“The French were shocked with the results,” says Chesbro, Chair of the Senate Select Committee on California ’s Wine Industry.  “ California wines were judged the best by French judges in France .  This is a classic tale of the underdog coming out on top.”

Word of the Paris Tasting soon got out.  George Taber of Time magazine was on hand to report this story to the world.  He was also at the evening’s reception to recant the events of that day 30 years ago.

The reception honored ten California wineries.  Each was personally awarded a legislative resolution by Senate Minority Leader Dick Ackerman (R-Irvine), and Assembly Minority Leader George Plescia (R-San Diego) recognizing their participation in the Paris Tasting and their contributions to California’s history, culture, and economy.

The honored wineries include: Chalone Vineyard, Chateau Montelena, Clos du Val, David Bruce Winery, Freemark Abbey, Heitz Wine Cellars, Mayacamas Vineyards, Ridge Vineyards, Spring Mountain Vineyard, and Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars.

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Noreen Evans presents ACR 153 on the floor of the State Assembly

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	Author George Taber with Assemblymember Noreen Evans
(Left to Right) Bo Barrett, Chateau Montelena; Author George Taber; Warren Winiarski, Stag’s Leap Wine Cellar; Christian Vannegué, Wine Judge	Assemblymember Noreen Evans and Senator Wes Chesbro
Author George Taber	(From Left to Right) Senator Dick Ackerman, Bo Barrett, Chateau Montelena; Assemblymember Noreen Evans; and Senator Wes Chesbro
(From Left to Right) Senator Dick Ackerman, Warren Winiarski, Stag’s Leap Wine Cellar; Assemblymember Noreen Evans; and Senator Wes Chesbro	(From Left to Right) Senator Dick Ackerman, John Clews, Clos du Val; Assemblymember Noreen Evans; and Senator Wes Chesbro
(From Left to Right) Senator Dick Ackerman, David Bruce, David Bruce Winery; Assemblymember Noreen Evans; and Senator Wes Chesbro	(From Left to Right) Senator Dick Ackerman, Dev Sidhu, Freemark Abbey; Assemblymember Noreen Evans; and Senator Wes Chesbro
(From Left to Right) Senator Dick Ackerman, Angela Bortugno, Chalone Vineyard; Assemblymember Noreen Evans; and Senator Wes Chesbro	(From Left to Right) Senator Dick Ackerman, Paula Fletcher, Heitz Wine Cellars; Assemblymember Noreen Evans; and Senator Wes Chesbro
(From Left to Right) Senator Dick Ackerman, Nonie Travers, Mayacamas Vineyards; Assemblymember Noreen Evans; and Senator Wes Chesbro	(From Left to Right) Senator Dick Ackerman, John Olney, Ridge Vineyards; Assemblymember Noreen Evans; and Senator Wes Chesbro
(From Left to Right) Senator Dick Ackerman, Valli Ferrell, Spring Mountain Vinyard; Assemblymember Noreen Evans; and Senator Wes Chesbro	Assemblymember Pat Wiggins (Ret); Assemblymember Bill Emerson; Senator Wes Chesbro
David Bruce and Linda Hugger	Nanie and Matt Travers with Assemblymember Noreen Evans
Assemblymember Noreen Evans with Mike O’Hara from Chops	First gathering of all the Wine makers since the Judgment of Paris 30 years ago.
Assemblymember Hector De La Torre with Assemblymember Noreen Evans	Sean MacNeil, Chief of Staff for Assemblymember Noreen Evans and Laurie Puzo, Consultant California Select Committee on Wine
Assemblymember Noreen Evans and David Bruce