(SACRAMENTO, CA) Assemblymember Noreen Evans (D-Santa Rosa), Chair of the Assembly Democratic Caucus and Chair of the Assembly Select Committee on Wine, is pleased to announce her introduction of Assembly Concurrent Resolution (ACR) 38 to commemorate the establishment of California Vintner’s Hall of Fame and its first round of inductees.

“Wine is a central part of our culture and economy,” says Evans.  “With California setting the standard for world class winemaking, we need to honor those whose work helped make our wines the best.”

The Hall of Fame was created to honor and recognize California wine industry pioneers, founders, and icons.  It is housed at the Culinary Institute of America (CIA) at Greystone, St. Helena.

Tonight, 9 people will be inducted into Hall of Fame through a ceremonial dinner at CIA:

• 6 individuals will be recognized as “founders” whose early ventures planted the roots of the present day industry, including Andre Tchelistcheff, Georges De Latour, Charles Krug, Agoston Haraszthy, Gustave Niebaum, and Brother Timothy;

• 2 individuals will be recognized as “icons” for having contributed to the establishment and growth of the California wine industry, including Maynard Amerine and Harold Olmo; and

• 1 individual will be recognized as a “pioneer,” Robert Mondavi.

The inductees were determined by ballots sent to 70 top American wine journalists.

ACR 38 was introduced to draw special attention to this historic event.  It will be voted on by all members of the legislature and a copy presented to CIA for placement in the Hall of Fame.  Senator Pat Wiggins (D-Santa Rosa), Chair of the Senate Select Committee on California’s Wine Industry, is the principle co-author of this resolution.

The text of ACR 38 is available online at http://www.leginfo.ca.gov and is also attached for ease of reference.