Lawmakers Want Investigation Into Oregon Wine Claim

Nearly all of Oregon's Congressional delegation has sent a letter asking federal officials to investigate whether a California wine producer is falsely labeling wines as an Oregon coast pinot noir.  The letter signed by both of Oregon's U.S. senators and four of its five U.S. representatives asks the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau to investigate.

Joe Wagner owns and operates Copper Cane LLC, of Rutherford, California.  He recently told the Capital Press that he's working with state and federal investigators and calls the controversy a "charade."  But Oregon wine producers say the state's $5.6 billion wine industry needs to be protected from false claims.

Oregon officials say the state has 769 wineries and over 11,114 vineyards that support 30,000 jobs.

If you have a story idea for the Washington Ag Network, call (509) 547-1618, or e-mail gvaagen@cherrycreekradio.com