RADANOVICH, GEORGE

Congressman-Vineyard-Winery

The 39-year-old native of Mariposa, California in the Sierra foothills has the dual distinction of being the first full-time wine maker ever to be elected to the U.S. Congress and-- as his colleagues call him-- “the Congressman from Yosemite.” Radanovich was elected to the 104th Congress on November 8, 1994 from the 19th District of California, comprising all of part of four central California counties (Fresno, Madera, Mariposa, and Tulare). The freshman Congressman serves on both the Budget Committee and the Resources Committee. He is a member of the Budget Committee’s working group on economic and regulatory reform. On the Resources Committee, his subcommittees are Water & Power Resources and National Parks, Forests & Lands. Significantly, Radanovich’s District includes three national parks (Yosemite, Sequoia, and Kings Canyon). Additionally, he has been named to a Resources Committee task force dealing with the Endangered species Act. Before coming to Congress, Radonovich’s public service experience included elective office as a county supervisor. He also chaired his county’s planning commission. In the private sector, his observation of a micro climate in Mariposa led Radanovich to introduce grape growth to his native county in 1982. Four years later he opened the regions first winery. The Radanovich Wine label now goes on some 4,000 cases annually of sauvignon blanc, chardonnay, meriot, zinfandel, and cabernet sauvingnon. Including as it does principle parts of the San Joaquin Valley, the 19th District is one of the worlds premier agricultural regions. Radonovich considers himself first and foremost a farmer. He is a member of the California Agricultural Leadership Program Class XXI. His college degree from California State Polytechnic University in San Luis Obispo is a bachelor of science in agriculture business management. Radanovich’s business background also includes banking and building. A Rotarian, he has been awarded the Paul Harris Fellowship, Rotary International’s highest award. The Congressman is one of eight children. His father, a Croatian immigrant from the Island of Brac, and his mother continue to live in Mariposa. Members of the Radanovich family are active citizens throughout the San Joaquin Valley.