U.S. SENATE —U.S. Senator Steve Daines today recognized the team at the Tongue River Winery, in Custer County, for having the skill, patience and dedication required to produce quality wines on the high plains of eastern Montana.
Daines’ recognition in the Congressional Record is available here.
Through his “Montanan of the Week” initiative, Daines each week will highlight a Montanan by submitting a statement of recognition in the official Congressional Record, the document that reflects the official proceedings of Congress.
Daines welcomes anyone to nominate fellow Montanans for Daines’ “Montanan of the Week” program by calling Daines’ office at 202-224-2651 or by filling out the contact form on Daines’ website: http://www.daines.senate.gov/connect/email-steve
The following is the statement submitted to the Congressional Record:
MONTANAN OF THE WEEK
Mr. DAINES. Mr. President, this week, I have the distinct honor of recognizing the team at the Tongue River Winery, in Custer County, for having the skill, patience and dedication required to produce quality wines on the high plains of eastern Montana. Despite a difficult growing climate, this humble, family-run operation has successfully combined vineyard and winery functions and has received numerous awards and recognition for their efforts.
The married couple of Bob and Marilyn Thaden, along with their son Josh, are the team that makes the Tongue River Winery successful. 2017 marks the fifth consecutive year that the Tongue River Winery has won the Granite Peak Award. This award is presented to the top Montana winery at the Northwest Wine Summit.
For Bob, this year marks his fiftieth anniversary making wine. It’s also been about fifty years since he met his wife, Marilyn, so it comes as no surprise that when asked about winemaking, he compares the process of selecting good grapes to courtship. Bob reflected, “it’s like courtship, plant the wrong one and you will regret it for a long time; take your time, choose carefully, so not to be disappointed later on.” Bob has selected wisely in both endeavors. His advice on being thoughtful and patient can be applied to many other areas of life.
In the years ahead, I wish Bob, Marilyn and Josh all the best as they continue to cultivate and create uniquely Montana wines. For their efforts, I raise my glass to the team at the Tongue River Winery.
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