Central Washington’s Dan Newhouse has been tapped to serve as co-chair of the Congressional Wine Caucus.  He’ll work alongside California Democrat Mike Thompson to “protect the interests of our vibrant wine community from grape to glass”.  Newhouse said it’s an honor to help lead the organization during the 116th Congress, and it’s also significant to be the first co-chair not from the state of California.

 

“I think this will present a great opportunity for me to be able to help promote not only the United States’ wine industry, which we will do, but also, the Washington state wine industry which we have an awful lot to be proud of as you know.”

 

Wine is produced in all 50 states and contributes an estimated $220 billion to the U.S. economy annually.  Washington has nearly 1,000 wineries with over 250 wine grape growers.  In addition, the state has 14 unique AVAs.

 

The Congressional Wine Caucus was founded in 1999.

 

 

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