Two Congressmen from California, who co-chair the Congressional Wine Caucus, had a great idea – and a dilemma.  The great idea of Representative George Radanovich (19th, Mariposa) and Representative Mike Thompson (1st, Napa and Northwest California) was to educate their fellow Congressmen on the importance of the wine industry of the United States by sponsoring Wine Days on Capitol Hill supported by individual states.  The dilemma these two Master Knights of the KOV faced was:  (1) which state should go first and (2) who do you call?  The ghost busters?  NO, you call Supreme Knight Gordon Murchie of the Nation’s Capital Chapter of the Knights of the Vine!

Gordon quickly recognized this would be a test: if the Wine Day succeeded other states would be asked to do the same; if it failed the blame would only fall on Virginia and its wineries.  As the President of the Vinifera Wine Growers Association and the Executive Director of the Virginia Wineries Association, Gordon quickly lined up broad-based support from the Virginia government, the Virginia wine industry, and the Virginia agricultural community.  This support was crucial.

Initial planning meetings in March, (on a very short time-schedule) with the staffs of the two Congressmen included representatives of the Virginia Tourist Corporation, the agricultural community, the Virginia wine industry, allied business, and the Knights of the Vine.  Quickly, it was established that the very short timeframe in the initial proposal could not be met.  Alternative dates were suggested and, subsequently, June 17 was selected because it worked for the Congressmen and the availability of scarce Congressional rooms suitable for receptions and special events.  (Little did we know the rooms we would eventually have!) The major effort was to line up appropriate support in the Senate and the House.  

Supreme Knight Murchie requested the support of a member of the staff of Senator John Warner, a very senior Senator.  This staff member has a vineyard in Virginia, and she enlisted Senator Warner’s support.  What was also vital, she arraigned to have the luncheon in the Senate Armed Services Sub-Committee Room – on the other side of the Hill – and a more elegant room than initially planned.  

In a subsequent meeting at Breaux Vineyards in Virginia, a number of the players discussed the scope and financing of this venture.  The Vinifera Wine Growers Association and Virginia Wineries Association pledged most of the funds with the KOV and the State contributing.   At that meeting, Senator George Allen sent a representative who, at the end of the meeting, obtained Senator Allen’s support and his commitment to join the Congressional Wine Caucus, which now boasts 250 Representatives and Senators as members.  

The rest, as one says, is history.  When Representative Bob Gooodlatte of Virginia,  Chairman of the House Agriculture Committee, learned of the proposal he immediately joined as a sponsor and suggested that the evening wine tasting reception of award-winning Virginia wines and an elegant buffet of Virginia ham and other delicacies be held in the House Agriculture Committee room – a far larger room than initially planned.

June 17 was a dreary day with on and off showers.  But, bumping into General Washington,¹ then accompanying him in a stroll on Capitol Hill and into the Senate Office Building, was an unexpected surprise.  He wore gentlemen’s attire, not his uniform with sword.  He explained that the only time he addressed Congress he wore his uniform and sword, but he was so disgusted by the ridiculous debate by the lawyers in Congress that he never addressed them again.  

However, General Washington stated he was willing go on Capitol Hill, once again, to express his view on the importance of Vines and Wines in Virginia and in America.  Walking through the corridors of the Senate building with General Washington, and observing the wide range of expressions on the faces of Senate staffers, was a delightful experience.

As the luncheon commenced, with Mr. Murchie serving as the Master of Ceremony, it became apparent that Senator Warner would be late. General Washington, of course, was asked to take charge.  The attendees, that included numerous Congressmen, key staffers, ranking state officials, winery owners, agricultural representatives, and members of the KOV, were delighted by the General’s comments.  After these comments, Virginia Governor Warner emphasized his support for Virginia wineries.  Senator Allen followed with supporting the Virginia Wine industry and agriculture in general.

Senator Warner roiled the attendees with various comments.  He reminisced when someone accused him of being of “gentleman farmer”, to which he replied, “All farmers in Virginia are gentlemen.”  When it was pointed out that we had a female winery owner, he quickly stated, “All farmers in Virginia are gentlemen or ladies.”

Representatives Radanovich and Thompson spoke on importance of wines and vines in this nation. Representative Goodlatte followed speaking on the importance of agriculture in America and the importance of wines and vines in this nation.  Also interesting, the senior executives of virtually all the various wine interest groups with national representation attended the luncheon, including the newly appointed President and CEO of Wine Institute, Mr. Robert (Bobby) Koch, and President of WineAmerica, David Sloane.

In all, this luncheon was a tremendous testament of the support for the wine industry that Supreme Knight Gordon Murchie was able to establish.

After the luncheon the representatives of the Virginia wineries and consumers met with various Representatives of the Virginia delegation.  The basic issues included removal of burdensome taxes that produce little revenue for the government, eliminate estate taxes that are burdensome to family owned wineries, and removal of obsolete regulations that prevent the free flow of wine.

But the best was yet to come:  The guards at the Longwood House Office Building were stunned as members the Cadre of the Nation’s Capital Chapter of the KOV in full uniform approached them to pass security.  Our mascot knight was a delight.  But when we requested if we could bring in the halberds and sword, they said no!  

The purpose of this was to have a major Knights of the Vine presence in pouring and discussing wines during the evening reception for members of Congress and their staffs.  Representative Goodlatte arranged the use of the House Agriculture Committee room.  We were cautioned to expect 100 to 150.  Over 400 Congressmen and members of their staff attended the evening reception.  Although enormously hectic, by every measure this event was a great success.  Also stunning was the number of the attendees who where familiar with wines and Virginia wines.  

The entire day-long event was so successful that some members of Congress have proposed that we do it again next year.  But, perhaps, next year some other state would wish to equal or exceed the humble efforts we made representing the wines of the Commonwealth of Virginia.

After the evening reception, several of the Cadre walked across Capitol Hill, in full uniform.  They were consistently exposed to flashing light bulbs.  When asked what we were doing we responded:  “We are educating members of Congress on the beauty and complexity of the wines and vines of America.”  The theme of this story is:  if you have a dilemma concerning wines, even if you are in the corridors of power on Capitol Hill, don’t call ghost busters, call a Supreme Knight or Supreme Lady of the Brotherhood of the Knights of the Vine. 

Endnote:

¹ Mr. William Sommerfield has portrayed General Washington for the past 15 years at Mount Vernon and at other events throughout the East Coast.