Governor Vetos Zinfandel Bill
Rejects historical
importance of Zinfandel in California
Sacramento,
California, August 29, 2006----On August
28 Governor Schwarzenegger vetoed Senator Carole
Migden's SB 1253, which would have designated
Zinfandel California's 'historic wine.' Both houses
of the state Legislature had passed the bill in
a bipartisan effort to recognize Zinfandel as
a respected part of California's history.
"Although we are disappointed that the bill
was not signed into law by Governor Schwarzenegger,
we feel that all the interest surrounding this
bill from its inception to the veto has really
drawn attention to Zinfandel and wine in general
and its impact on our society. Hopefully, this
entire discussion will encourage more people to
explore the amazing world of wine and agriculture,"
explains Justin Boeger of Boeger Winery and the
President of the Board of Zinfandel Advocates
& Producers.
"I was surprised by the Governor's veto,"
commented Bruce Walker of Starry Night Winery
and Vice President of ZAP. "It was simply
wrong because this bill was not about choosing
one variety over another. It was recognizing Zinfandel
in its historical role in laying the foundation
for the California wine industry," he added.
"Zinfandel is already recognized by the tens
of thousands of enthusiasts who attend ZAP's annual
Festival at Ft. Mason in San Francisco. Over the
last sixteen years, our 300-+ winery members and
over 5,000 consumer members have dedicated themselves
to advancing an appreciation for California zinfandel.
We are very proud of the unprecedented awareness
by the California Legislature as well as the public
commentary that the submission of this bill generated,"
commented Rebecca Robinson, ZAP's Executive Director.
"This would have been a vote for agriculture,
for the rich history and the role that wine has
played in this great state," commented Julie
Johnson of Tres Sabores Winery. "It is extremely
short-sighted that the Governor has chosen to
ignore both the Legislature and the 'grass-roots'
constituency with this veto," she added.
"This has been a 'zin-fully' fun bill because
it honors Zinfandel's important contribution to
our state's history, brings recognition to one
of our most important industries and uncorks the
esprit-de-corps of Californians everywhere,"
explained Senator Migden. "Here was at least
one thing that Democrats and Republicans came
together over-wine! What could be more Californian
than that?" She explained that her reasons
for introducing the bill included Zinfandel's
long and prominent role in helping establish California's
wine trade, the grape's knack for adapting to
virtually every viticultural region in the state,
and that the fruit yields a "darn good bottle"
for about $20. Some people who think more highly
of other wine grape varietals object to the bill,
she acknowledged, but the point of her effort
isn't just to recognize Zinfandel's place in state
history, but to draw attention to California's
entire wine trade "in a fun and lively way."
"Californians have been marking celebrations
and deriving pleasure from Zinfandel since the
earliest days of statehood, adds Donn Reisen (of
Ridge Vineyards, Santa Cruz Mountains and Ridge
Vineyards Sonoma). "How fitting that Zinfandel's
role in California's cultural and economic past
is being recognized by the state legislature as
California's historic wine," he added.
In August, The Wine Institute
issued a statement of support:
Wine Institute supports SB1253, Senator Carol
Migden's bill establishing Zinfandel as the "historic
wine of California." By highlighting Zinfandel's
unique history, the bill also recognizes the history
and culture of the California wine community and
its acceptance as one of the state's signature
industries.
Other ZAP news: VIVA Zinfandel!
The 16th Annual Zinfandel Advocates & Producers
Festival will take place January 24-27, 2007 at
Fort Mason Center in San Francisco, California.
Tickets and more details are available from www.zinfandel.org
or by calling 530/274-4900.
The specific events making up the Festival:
January 24: Flights: A Showcase
of California Zinfandels, a day of panel
discussions and tastings led by Zinfandel winemakers
and experts.
January 25: Good Eats & Zinfandel
at Herbst Pavilion at Fort Mason Center in San
Francisco, a lively walk-around food and wine
tasting which pairs Zinfandel wineries with restaurants.
January 26: Evening with the
Winemakers Benefit Auction and Dinner at the Festival
Pavilion at Fort Mason.
January 27: The 16th Annual Zinfandel
Advocates & Producers Tasting at the Festival
and Herbst Pavilions at Fort Mason Center in San
Francisco. A limited number of tickets will be
available for purchase at the door. There will
be a separate trade tasting in the morning. The
16th Annual Tasting will welcome approximately
300 Zinfandel wineries and Zinfandel enthusiasts
to Ft. Mason. Wines to be tasted will be primarily
the 2004 vintage as well as 2005 barrel samples.
The Tasting is the only place where Zin aficionados
can purchase the Heritage Vineyard Zinfandel;
in 2007 the 2004 vintage will be available (made
by Kent Rosenblum of Rosenblum Cellars).
Visit www.zinfandel.org
to join ZAP, research Zinfandel and
more! The Association of Zinfandel Advocates &
Producers (ZAP) is a non-profit, educational 501(c)(3)
organization. ZAP is dedicated to advancing public
knowledge of and appreciation for American Zinfandel
and its unique place in our culture and history.
Winegrowers, winemakers and wine enthusiasts combine
to form the membership. The common focus is the
preservation and recognition of Zinfandel as America's
heritage wine. ZAP's membership includes approximately
300 winery-members, more than 5,000 advocate-members
and 50 associate members.
The
Governor's statement about vetoing the bill:
http://gov.ca.gov/index.php/press-release/3698/
[to the last bill listed, 1253, and click on the
'veto message']
For Senator Migden: contact Carlos Machado, 916/651-4003,
Carlos.Machado@sen.ca.gov
Wine Institute statement in support: contact communications@wineinstitute.org