Sometimes, being a small winery has its benefits. The experience tasters at the winery have can be more intimate, most often talking to the winemaker or the grapegrower (or both). But sometimes, when it comes to issues like new potential regulations or laws that just don't make sense for small producers, it's hard to be heard.
This is where Family Winemakers of California comes in. This organization (also know as FWC or just "The Family") is a grouping of wineries all wanting to have a voice at the state government level. FWC started back in 1990 with a set of wineries interested in making a difference. But the unique thing about this organization is that no matter the size of the operation, it's one winery, one vote. Thus, the number of smaller-size wineries being represented makes up the majority of our membership.
If you happen to live outside of California and get wine shipped to you, you can thank "The Family" for its work in front of the US Supreme Court (Granholm v. Heald, 2005) that kept this opportunity alive (to ship wine) for most states in the country!
This week, Family Winemakers of California held its annual meeting in Sacramento (across the street from the Capitol building) working with new and proposed regulations in California. Our lobbying specialists, Political Solutions, are arguably the best representation our industry can get anywhere. (They've been with us since 2004 or so!) Scouring through the 2500 Senate and Assembly bills while watching (supporting, opposing, etc.) over 50 of them with the winery member input, its a Herculean effort. But as a small winery, it's wonderful to have someone have our backs!
Of particular interest this year is AB 1585, a bill put forward by Family Winemakers of California and CAWG (California Association of Winegrape Growers) which would close the loophole of being able to blend 25% foreign wine (from out of the country) into wines here and still give them the appellation of American. FWC and CAWG, fighting for the small producers with this bill, would require that the wine be made from 100% American-grown grapes to call it "American". Not only does this provide truth in labeling, but it can better help grape growers here in California compete with imported bulk wines.
Some days, I just want to make wine and not worry about anything else. And that is why we are active members (with some 250 other small producers) in Family Winemakers of California! Drink Californian!