Wine Institute

Wine Institute is the public policy association of 1,100 California wineries and affiliated businesses that initiates and advocates state, federal and international public policy to enhance the environment for the responsible production, consumption and enjoyment of wine.  The organization works to enhance the economic and environmental health of California through its leadership in sustainable winegrowing and winemaking practices and through California First, a program that communicates the value of the state’s wine industry and encourages tourism.  Since 1985, the Wine Institute has served as the administrator of the Market Access Program, an export promotion program managed by the USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service in which 125 California wineries currently participate.  U.S. wine exports, 95 percent from California, reached a record high $951 million in 2007.