(SACRAMENTO, CA) The State Legislature approved Assembly Bill (AB) 2090 authored by Assemblymember Noreen Evans (D-Santa Rosa), Chair of the Assembly Select Committee on Wine, to help California´s wine industry educate consumers and market its wines.

"The wine industry markets wines by region but it lacks sufficient tools to show consumers how wines are made in the vineyard," said Evans. "Tasting is believing. By enabling the industry to conduct educational winetasting events, consumers can learn more about California wine by tasting regional differences."

"The nature and characteristics of wine must be tasted to be fully understood," said Senator Patricia Wiggins (D-Santa Rosa), a co-author of the legislation. "This bill will further the ability of winemakers and winegrowers to educate the public through tastings at seminars and other instructional events."

Sponsored by the California Association of Winegrape Growers (CAWG), AB 2090 creates a new special temporary on-sale wine license enabling regional winegrape grower associations and professional winemaking organizations to conduct up to six winetasting events a year designed to promote a particular agricultural region or as part an educational event.

"Growers need to promote the unique attributes of their regions to remain competitive," said Karen Ross, President of CAWG. "The rapid globalization of the wine business makes it important for growers to differentiate the wines made from their grapes."

California´s wine industry contributes more than $51.8 billion to the state´s economy annually. Winegrapes are grown in 47 of California´s 58 counties on 527,000 acres. California wine producing regions include over 100 American Viticultural Areas, each with variances in climate, soil structure, and topography. California wines account for 95 percent of American wine exports.

Assembly Bill (AB) 2090 passed the Senate 37-0 on August 7th. Today, the Assembly concurred Senate amendments to the bill with a 70-2 vote. This concluded all action on Evans´ legislative package relating to California wine. Already signed by the governor this year, AB 1964 eases the organization of non-profit fundraising events with wine and AB 2004 enables wine consumers to picnic with wine at wineries.