ECONOMIC IMPACT TOTALS 1.9 BILLION DOLLARS
Paso Robles AVA Accounts for 87 Percent of Total Impact
Paso Robles, CA (June 9, 2016) – The Paso Robles American Viticultural Area (AVA) and Greater San Luis Obispo County wine and wine grape industries have an annual economic impact of 1.9 billion dollars to the regional economy. The study, primarily funded and managed by the Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance (PRWCA), with support from the San Luis Obispo Wine Country Association and its members, was conducted by the University of California Agricultural Issues Center based at UC Davis. Compiled using 2015 data, this study shows that the wine industry within San Luis Obispo County, and specifically within the Paso Robles AVA, is a major contributor to the economic prosperity of the area with the equivalent of 11.5 percent of all salary and wage jobs in the county, injects almost $1B in added value to the economy and contributes 28 percent of the total property tax revenue generated in San Luis Obispo County.
Because Paso Robles represents 87% of the total county-wide impacts in this study, with 40,000 vineyard acres and 200+ wineries, the portion of the North County economic activity driven by the wine industry is significantly higher.
“This study provides a solid baseline on the significant ways in which the wine industry contributes to the overall wellbeing of the economy,” stated Jennifer Porter, Executive Director of the Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance, “It’s important to note that the study is based on the 2015 harvest year whose yields were lower than has been typical for the region. With this in mind, and successes in driving increased awareness and tourism, we can expect that the economic impact will grow.”
Numbers at a glance:
- Total Economic Impact – $1.9 Billion
- Total Jobs Generated – 13,627
- Total Wages Paid – $388 Million
- Total Property Tax Assessments to Vineyards and Wineries – $44.8 Million
- Total Tourism Visits to Wineries – 1.56 Million
- Wine Related Tourism Expenditures – $194 Million
- Wine Related Tourism Percentage Demand for Countywide Hotel Accommodations – 28%
- Percentage of Gross Regional Product for San Luis Obispo County – 6.5%Percentage
The Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance began working with The University of California Agricultural Issues Center in May 2015 to develop this study. The Alliance wishes to thank its members who took part in a comprehensive survey to capture critical economic data. The PRWCA also appreciates the assistance from the San Luis Obispo Agricultural Commissioner’s office, the Economic Vitality Corporation of San Luis Obispo County, Visit San Luis Obispo County, the San Luis Obispo County Wine Association, Talley Vineyards, Tolosa Winery, Niven Family Wine Estates, and Heritage Oaks Bank.
Click here for a one-sheet summarizing the study. The full report is available on www.pasowine.com.
ABOUT PASO ROBLES WINE COUNTRY ALLIANCE
The Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance represents wineries, growers and businesses in Paso Robles Wine Country. Centrally located between San Francisco and Los Angeles, along California’s Central Coast, Paso Robles Wine Country is California’s third largest wine region. It encompasses more than 40,000 vineyard acres and 200 wineries. For more information, visit www.pasowine.com. @PasoRoblesWine, #PasoWine
Jill BARTH says
Thank you! What a place!
matt says
Definitely…thank you, Jill!