1Designating the month of October 2014 as "Wine, Wineries and
2Grapes Month" in Pennsylvania.

3WHEREAS, Pennsylvania growers produce many of the finest food
4products available worldwide; and

5WHEREAS, Today, the growth of Pennsylvania grapes occurs
6thanks to the tireless efforts of generations of Pennsylvanians
7who played instrumental roles in the founding of this nation's
8great wine industry; and

9WHEREAS, The United States' first commercial grapevine
10nursery operated in Montgomery County in southeastern
11Pennsylvania; and

12WHEREAS, With approximately 14,000 acres of grapes, this
13Commonwealth ranks fourth nationally in the amount of grapes
14grown, including the use of grapes for the production of juices;
15and

16WHEREAS, Pennsylvania ranks fifth nationally in the amount of
17wine grapes produced and seventh in the production of wine; and

18WHEREAS, Pennsylvania grape growers produce the finest table,

1jelly and juice grapes, including such diverse varieties as the
2Catawba, the Concord, the Delaware and the Niagara; and

3WHEREAS, The largest Concord-producing plant in the country
4operates in this Commonwealth; and

5WHEREAS, In just under 30 years, the licensed wineries in
6this Commonwealth have increased from 27 to over 200 and
7Pennsylvania is home to an additional 230 wine grape growers;
8and

9WHEREAS, According to the Pennsylvania Wine Marketing and
10Research Program study, production of wine and wine grapes
11contributes a total of $2.35 billion to the State's economy,
12which includes the direct creation of 10,537 jobs and a total
13direct payroll of $472 million; and

14WHEREAS, Wineries attract 894,000 visitors and an estimated
15$179.6 million in tourism expenditures annually; and

16WHEREAS, The Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board,
17Pennsylvania's wine industry and other State agencies have
18promoted this Commonwealth as a "wine-friendly" State; and

19WHEREAS, October serves as an important month of harvest for
20Pennsylvania grape growers, and harvest time provides an ideal
21opportunity to recognize the contributions of grape growers and
22the entire wine industry to this Commonwealth and to the nation;
23therefore be it

24RESOLVED, That the Senate recognize the significant and
25invaluable contributions made by the grape and wine industries
26to this Commonwealth's history, economy and quality of life; and
27be it further

28RESOLVED, That the Senate designate the month of October 2014
29as "Wine, Wineries and Grapes Month" in Pennsylvania; and be it
30further

1RESOLVED, That the Senate encourage residents of this
2Commonwealth to celebrate "Wine, Wineries and Grapes Month" by
3enjoying the many grape products of Pennsylvania growers and
4responsibly partaking in Pennsylvania wine products while
5engaging in the festivities and gaining awareness of the
6services and products offered by Pennsylvania wineries through
7all seasons of the year.