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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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CONTACT:
Lauren Rooney |
State Rep. Tim Solobay |
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A 'de-vine' addition to Pa. farmers’ markets
House approves Solobay bill allowing Pa. wines to be sold at farmers’ markets
HARRISBURG, April 25 – By a vote of 169-22, the state House today passed Rep. Tim Solobay’s legislation (H.B. 896) that would allow Pennsylvania wineries to sell their wares at Pennsylvania farmers’ markets. The bill now moves to the Senate for consideration.
With more than 90 wineries, and approximately 14,000 acres of grapes, Pennsylvania ranks eighth in the nation in wine production and fourth nationally in the amount of grapes grown.
“Pennsylvania farmers’ markets spotlight Pennsylvania-grown products and the state’s wine industry deserves a place among the locally grown fruits and vegetables,” said Solobay, D-Washington. “Not only are Pennsylvania wines a significant part of the state’s agriculture industry, but the vineyards contribute greatly to tourism and economic development.”
According to the Pennsylvania Wine Association, the total economic impact of Pennsylvania wine production and the cultivating of grapes was $661 million in 2005; this includes wine sales, the sale of grapes elsewhere to make wine, and tourism spawned by Pennsylvania wineries.
In addition to selling from their wineries, Pennsylvania winemakers may also have up to five retail outlets and may sell at festivals. However, farmers’ markets are not included as off-site retail outlets approved by the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board.
For more information on the state’s wine industry, visit www.pennsylvaniawine.com.
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