Mendocino County Winemaker’s 80th Anniversary Tribute and Four Decades of Organic Viticulture
Redwood Valley, Mendocino, January 2022 — Representatives Jared Huffman and Mike Thompson presented a resolution on the floor of the United States Congress on December 7, 2021 in honor of Martha Barra’s four decades of organic viticulture and her 80th birthday.
The resolution reads as follows:
Mr HUFFMAN. Madam Speaker, I rise today with my fellow Congressman Mike Thompson in recognition of Martha Barra’s 80th birthday and her lifetime of work to make the Barra family winery of Mendocino County a leader in industry leader in sustainable organic wine production.
Born on December 14, 1941, Martha’s career in the wine industry began in 1980, when she married the late Charlie Barra, a pioneer in the Mendocino County wine industry. Under the leadership of Martha and Charlie Barra, Barra of Mendocino and Girasole Vineyards broke new ground, setting the standard for environmentally responsible viticulture and winemaking techniques, and becoming leaders in the nascent green and responsible wine industry. of the Mendocino County Environment. Martha Barra learned the wine business from the inside, exploring environmentally friendly farming and production methods long before these practices were well known. She then directly managed the winery’s organic certification process herself for almost 30 years. Today, all grapes grown at Barra’s 325-acre vineyard in Mendocino County’s interior valley are 100% certified organic. Thanks to its pioneering efforts in environmentally friendly agriculture, nearly 25% of Mendocino County’s vineyards are also certified organic.
Barra of Mendocino and Girasole Vineyards remains an independent family business operated under the direction of Martha Barra. As the matriarch of a multi-talented family, Barra has used the skills of her adult children to continue to elevate the business. Today, his son and daughter help him grow nine different grape varieties, produce and market two brands of wine, operate a 2.8 million gallon custom milling facility and manage an events center. with a unique charm located along Highway 101. Originally designed to resemble an inverted wine glass, the 5,000 square foot Barra Winery Event Center hosts private events enjoyed by both Mendocino County residents and visitors from near and far. The Barra Winery Event Center reflects Martha Barra’s community values by also providing a unique and beautiful space for fundraising opportunities to support local nonprofits, and her BARRA of Mendocino donates to a range of charities, with a particular dedication to causes promoting and supporting the needs of children, cancer research, patient awareness and support, and the betterment of our local community.
In the face of changing and challenging times, including the COVID-19 pandemic, Martha Barra has led the family business to continue to thrive, providing COVID-safe wine tasting to customers at their winery, as well as virtual tastings and wine distribution in 35 states and several countries. Martha Barra currently spends most of her time overseeing vineyard operations, organizing local tastings and events, working with winemakers to define flavor profiles, and managing organic certification processes. At wine events, she is affectionately known for handing out shiny bee stickers, representing her commitment to the importance of sustainable agriculture. From learning the intricacies of organic wine production and wine pairing, to studying architecture and renovating homes, Martha Barra is a multi-talented person. Martha Barra’s enduring commitment to protecting the environment and people of Mendocino County, while also producing award-winning premium wine, is remarkable and benefits the region. Madam Speaker, please join us in thanking Martha Barra for her many contributions and wishing her a wonderful birthday.
The three Barra family wine properties are planted with nine different grape varieties. Their original 175-acre parcel purchased in 1955, Redwood Valley Vineyards, was certified organic in 1989. After selling their grapes for many years, they began making their own wine in 1997 under the BARRA of Mendocino label and added the Girasole Vineyards range in 2003. .
BARRA of Mendocino’s Tasting Room and Event Center is located at 7051 North State Street, Redwood Valley, CA 95470. Indoor and outdoor tastings are available. For more information, call 707/485-0322 or email [email protected]. Set on 50 acres of certified organic vineyards planted with Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel, and Pinot Noir, the expansive 5,000 square foot tasting room features 40-foot ceilings, a circular tasting bar, indoor fountain, and flower-filled gardens . Dating back to the 1970s, this architectural phenomenon also serves as the anchor location for Mendocino County weddings, corporate and nonprofit community events.
Congressman Jared Huffman serves the 2n/a Congressional District: https://huffman.house.gov/, and Congressman Mike Thompson serves the 5and Congressional District: https://mikethompson.house.gov/ .
