California Wine Month

September is California Wine Month, and that makes it a fine time to enjoy a glass of California wine and a visit to wine country. September is harvest time in California and California Wine Month celebrates the state’s ideal climate for wine, beautiful wine country landscape, our talented and ingenious winemaking families, our celebrated lifestyle and cuisine; and our commitment to sustainability and the environment.

2011 is the seventh consecutive year that California Wine Month will be celebrated in September. California wine is important to California’s economy, as the state is the fourth largest wine producer in the world, makes 90 percent of American wine and is responsible for $18.5 billion in retail wine sales in the U.S. Join us this September in a toast to the Golden State’s 3400 wineries and 4600 winegrape growers and the fruits of their labor.

/ Wine Month Events

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/ Wine Month Partners

Retail/Restaurant Partners

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California
 
 
New York
 

Association Partners

 
 

Media Partners (Publishing Special Editorial on California Wine in September)

 

Established in 1934, Wine Institute is the association of more than 1,000 California wineries and wine-related businesses that initiate and advocate state, federal and international public policy to enhance the environment for the responsible production, consumption and enjoyment of wine. Wine Institute members represent 85 percent of U.S. wine production and 90 percent of U.S. wine exports. For more information, see www.wineinstitute.org.

The California Association of Winegrape Growers (CAWG) represents the growers of more than 60 percent of the gross grape tonnage crushed for wine and concentrate in California. The statewide association provides industry leadership to advocate for public policies, research and education programs, sustainable farming practices and trade positions to enhance the business of growing California winegrapes. For more information, see www.cawg.org.

Journalists requiring further information can contact communications@wineinstitute.org.

/ Visit California

*Looking for travel deals during California
Wine Month?

Check out visitcalifornia.com

/ Poster Offer

Get your own California Wine Month Poster

If you would like a poster, please send $5 (US) or $10 (International) to the below address. Please included your name, address and email.

Please make checks payable to:
Wine Institute
c/o CA Wine Month Poster Offer
425 Market St. Suite 1000
San Francisco, CA 94105
415.512.0151

/ Wine Month Recipe

Caramelized Pear and Pastry Cream Tart

Crisp and refreshing pears with a sweet vanilla cream and a light buttery crust make this the perfect summer dessert. Pair with California Muscato or late-harvest Riesling.

View recipe

/ Downloads

Download the 2011 California Wine Month logo and poster

Download logo

Download poster

Disclaimer Notice: All images are owned or licensed by CA Wine Month and misrepresentation of these images is an infringement of our rights and will subject the infringer to legal action. These images may be used by print media, websites and television only in conjunction with editorial coverage of CA Wine Month or in advertisements and marketing of CA Wine Month. For any additional usage CA Wine Month will need to provide consent. Please credit California Wine Month/Wine Institute on all images.

/ 10 reasons to love CA wine

As the producer of more than 90 percent of all wine made in the U.S., California is one of the first places that come to mind when we think about wine. Why do we love it so much? In honor of California Wine Month – September 2011 – let us count the ways:

View list

/ 10 reasons to love CA wine

  1. A living national treasure, with history and entrepreneurial spirit
    California wines have been around for nearly 250 years, and the industry is the fourth largest producer of wine in the world. After Prohibition, California has led a wine quality revolution by combining art, science, innovation and tradition.
  2. A leader in sustainable winegrowing and winemaking practices
    With its statewide Sustainable Winegrowing Program (SWP), establishing strong environmental standards and practices from ground to glass, California vintners and winegrape growers are a model for other agricultural products and other wine regions in the U.S. and the world.
  3. Comprised largely of family businesses
    The vast majority of California's 4,600 winegrape growers and 3,400 wineries are family-owned and operated businesses, many involving multiple generations.
  4. Offers immense choice for wine drinkers, because of diverse growing regions, soils, climates, winemaking styles and people
    With winegrapes grown in 48 of the state’s 58 counties, California counts 112 American Viticultural Areas (AVAs). Starting with the Spanish missionaries, to German, Swiss, French and Italian immigrants, to the modern day entrepreneurs and researchers, all have made their mark on California wines.
  5. Inspired a culinary revolution
    As the popularity of California wines has risen, so has the national focus on fresh seasonal cooking and dining. Many of America’s top chefs work in California’s wine country.
  6. Provides careers for thousands
    The California wine industry generates 820,000 jobs nationwide, with wages totaling $25.8 billion. The overall economic impact of the wine industry on the U.S. economy is $121.8 billion.
  7. Creates beautiful travel destinations throughout the state
    California is the most visited state in the U.S. for food and wine-related activities, with 21 million tourists visiting the state's wine regions each year.
  8. Offers unprecedented opportunities for women
    Women have played a critical role in the California wine industry’s past, and today are taking lead positions in viticulture, winemaking, sales, marketing, hospitality and distribution. In the U.S., you’re just as likely to see a female as a male sommelier.
  9. Keeps land in agriculture
    Although less than 1 percent of California land is planted to vineyards, California wine accounts for $18.5 billion in retail value in the U.S. Winegrapes ensure that land stays in agriculture, and preserves open space and scenic pastoral landscapes.
  10. Has driven a new “wine culture” in the U.S., inspiring people in all 50 states to establish wineries
    Wine consumption has risen for 17 consecutive years in the U.S., and the proliferation of wine magazines, websites, blogs and yes, even a reality television show about wine, attests to the fact that wine is becoming more a part of mainstream American culture. California’s success in wine quality, production and innovation has helped inspire winemaking ventures in all 50 U.S. states.