SAN DIEGO – Assemblymembers Cecilia Aguiar-Curry and Adam Gray, and Senators Mike McGuire and Bill Dodd, will unite their respective Select Committees on Wine and Committees on Governmental Organization for a hearing in San Diego’s Central Library next week to discuss with experts the issues facing the wine industry at the state and federal levels.

The joint hearing will be held next beginning at 10 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 29, in San Diego, and will be livestreamed at https://www.assembly.ca.gov/media/Field1-stream/video.

It will include panels of experts testifying about the state of the Wine Industry in California, the effects of federal law and trade from the state perspective, and an overview of which policies are the most impactful to California wines.

Assemblymember Cecilia Aguiar-Curry, Chair of the Assembly Select Committee on Wine, said: “Our economy and our wine industry are constantly evolving. State regulation and international trade relationships have to keep pace with this evolution to keep our world-class wine industry and state economy healthy. This hearing is a great opportunity to hear from industry leaders to make sure policymakers understand and are responsive to industry needs.”

“California made up 97 percent of the more than $1.5 billion in U.S. wine exports last year,” said Sen. Bill Dodd, D-Napa, co-chair of the Senate Select Committee on California’s Wine Industry. “Maintaining open trading policy is absolutely critical to continuing that trend and reaching new global markets. I look forward to meeting with my legislative colleagues to find solutions to new challenges facing our wine industry.”

"California’s wineries and vineyards are part of the fabric of our great state,” said Assemblymember Adam Gray, Chair of the Assembly Committee on Governmental Organization, “This important agribusiness makes enormous contributions towards jobs, employment, wages, taxes, and tourism."

The hearing will take place at the San Diego Central Library, Shirley Special Events Suite, 330 Park Blvd.