PRINTER'S NO. 4505
No. 888 Session of 2004
INTRODUCED BY SCRIMENTI, LEDERER, THOMAS, RUBLEY, CRUZ, SAINATO,
FORCIER, DONATUCCI, ROSS, CAPPELLI, GINGRICH, MUSTIO, NAILOR,
READSHAW, FAIRCHILD, McGEEHAN, GEORGE, CORRIGAN, WASHINGTON,
DiGIROLAMO, MAITLAND, B. SMITH, R. MILLER, PAYNE, BEBKO-
JONES, GOODMAN, GABIG, STERN, STABACK, FABRIZIO, WOJNAROSKI,
DERMODY, PALLONE, DALEY, LAUGHLIN, SCHRODER, J. EVANS, MANN,
MAJOR, WALKO, WILT, LEWIS, TANGRETTI, LESCOVITZ, KILLION,
BALDWIN, MARSICO, FRANKEL, KOTIK, STURLA, GOOD, YOUNGBLOOD,
REICHLEY, SURRA, DeWEESE, CRAHALLA, BASTIAN, GODSHALL,
McILHATTAN, GRUCELA, HARRIS, HARHART, HERSHEY, WEBER AND
HARHAI, OCTOBER 7, 2004
INTRODUCED AS NONCONTROVERSIAL RESOLUTION UNDER RULE 35,
OCTOBER 7, 2004
A RESOLUTION
1 Designating the month of October 2004 as "Pennsylvania Wine
2 Month."
3 WHEREAS, Pennsylvania growers produce many of the finest
4 fruit products available in the world; and
5 WHEREAS, This Commonwealth was the home of the first winery
6 in the American colonies; and
7 WHEREAS, The nation's first commercial grapevine nursery was
8 in Montgomery County in southeastern Pennsylvania; and
9 WHEREAS, This Commonwealth's moderate climate and rolling
10 terrain provide some of the best winegrape growing conditions on
11 the East Coast; and
12 WHEREAS, This Commonwealth is home to the two highest-
13 elevation vineyards east of the Rocky Mountains; and
1 WHEREAS, More than 80 Pennsylvania wineries produce a
2 delightful array of wine varieties; and
3 WHEREAS, The roster of award-winning Pennsylvania varietals
4 includes Cabernet Sauvignon, Catawba, Cayuga, Chambourcin,
5 Chardonnay, Gewurztraminer, Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir, Reisling,
6 Seyval Blanc, Vidal Blanc and Vignoles; and
7 WHEREAS, This Commonwealth ranks fifth in the total number of
8 wineries in the United States; and
9 WHEREAS, Family-owned agricultural operations create unique
10 offerings of wines and have developed special brands of
11 hospitality to visitors; and
12 WHEREAS, Pennsylvania wineries are growing as tourist
13 destinations, with 900,000 visitors per year; and
14 WHEREAS, This Commonwealth produces in excess of 12,000 tons
15 of winegrapes, contributing more than $50,000,000 annually to
16 our economy; and
17 WHEREAS, October is an important month of harvest for
18 Pennsylvania winegrape growers and an ideal time to recognize
19 vineyards and wineries for their contributions to the economy
20 and quality of life in this Commonwealth; therefore be it
21 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives, in recognition
22 of the significant and invaluable contributions of the wine and
23 winegrape community to our history, our economy and our quality
24 of life, designate the month of October 2004 as "Pennsylvania
25 Wine Month."
I29L82AJM/20040H0888R4505 - 2 -