Fairness in Vineyard Data Act (H.R. 4205)

Summary

Makes the government collect and share information about how many grapes are grown in each state, making the data public for everyone.

What problem does this solve?

Grape growers and winemakers often lack access to current, reliable data on grape production across the country, making it difficult to plan and compete. This bill directs the Department of Agriculture to conduct a national survey and publish the data online, giving everyone access to important industry information.

What does this bill do?

Mandates a national grape production survey

Requires the National Agricultural Statistics Service to conduct a survey in every state on grape production, including total acreage and details by grape type, variety, and county.

Makes grape production data publicly available

Requires the survey results to be published on the National Agricultural Statistics Service website. For three years, it also requires annual data publication for the top 5 grape-producing states.

Authorizes funding for the survey and data publication

Approves $2.5 million for the initial survey in fiscal year 2026 and $1.5 million per year from 2027 to 2030 to publish annual data.

Who does this affect?

Grape growers and farmers
Wineries and wine producers
Agricultural researchers

What is the real world impact?

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Provides key data for the wine and grape industry

Gives grape growers, winemakers, and related businesses access to official data on production, acreage, and grape types. This information helps them make better business decisions and understand market trends.

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Uses taxpayer money for industry-specific data

Allocates $2.5 million for the initial survey and $1.5 million annually for several years after. Some may argue this is a public expense that primarily benefits private businesses in the grape and wine industry.

When does this start?

The bill sets specific deadlines for its main actions after it becomes law.

Grape production survey

The national survey on grape production must be conducted and its results published within one year of the bill becoming law.

Annual data publication for top states

Starting two years after the bill becomes law, data for the top 5 grape-producing states must be published annually for the next three years.

Funding for survey

Authorizes $2.5 million for the survey for fiscal year 2026.

Funding for annual data

Authorizes $1.5 million for each of fiscal years 2027 through 2030 for annual data publication.