The demise of Australia’s 2008 vintage has been grossly overestimated, according to the Australian Wine and Brandy Corporation, that country’s industry/government wine organization. “Recent reports of high temperatures across parts of South Eastern Australia are likely to impact the predicted yields of the 2009 harvest,” said the AWBC, ” however it is too early in […]
Stevenot Deedholder Urges Foreclosure; 2008 Owner Draws = $841,000
February 5, 2009
The deedholder for Stevenot Winery’s real estate has asked for Chapter 11 proceedings to be tossed so that it can foreclose on the property. A hearing on the request by BaySierra Financial will be held in Modesto at 10:30 a.m., on Feb. 18 at the Federal Bankruptcy Court. A status hearing is still scheduled for […]
45 Workers Laid Off At Gallo Glass
February 4, 2009
Forty-five of the 800 workers at the Gallo Glass Factory in Modesto have been laid off, a result of decreased demand and plans to refurbish one of the company’s furnaces. Gallo Glass supplies bottles to the nearby Gallo Winery and to other winery customers. In a written statement,Gallo Glass VP John Gallo said, “We regret […]
K-J Layoffs Forwarded to Labor Commission For Investigation
February 3, 2009
The California Department of Industrial Relations has confirmed to Wine Industry Insight that, after its preliminary examination of the Jackson Family Winery layoff situation they have forwarded information to the California Labor Commissioner’s Office for possible violations of the state Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) requirements. A representative for the Department of Industrial Relations […]
Foley Reorg To HQ Admin Operations in Sonoma
As reported by Wine Industry Insight last week, Foley Family Wines has announced the details of a major reorganization, resulting in most major administrative functions to be relocated to Sonoma. The following is the entire text of the company’s announcement on PRNewswire: SONOMA, Calif., Feb. 2 / — Tim Matz, President of Foley Family Wines, […]
K-J Axes 20% Of Workforce
February 1, 2009
Jackson Family Wines has laid off some 20 percent of its workforce according to reporter Kevin McCallum in a lengthy article in the Santa Rosa Press Democrat. The article said that winemakers, marketing professionals, administrative assistants, accountants and hospitality staff were among the approximately 170 people who lost their jobs. K-J had about 800 employees.
Sebastiani Changes Part of Foley Reorganization
January 29, 2009
People who lost jobs at Sebastiani Vineyards and Winery are part of an overall reorganization of Foley Wine Group and should result in an “overall increase in job placement opportunities” in Sonoma, according to Tim Matz of Foley Family Wines — the new name for Foley Wine Group. “SMALL NUMBER OF LAYOFFS” ARE “NATURAL” PART […]
Foley Wine Group Starts Lay-Offs At Sebastiani
January 27, 2009
Foley Wine Group is laying off an undetermined number of non-union employees and middle-managers, according to numerous phone calls and emails to Wine Industry Insider. A call from one laid-off employee said there were “lots of lay-offs”. The employee did not want to be identified for fear it would hurt chances of getting a job […]
Copia Settles Sexual Harassment Lawsuit
U.S. Bankruptcy Court Judge Alan Jaroslovsky will allow Copia’s liability insurance company to pay a $250,000 settlement ending a sexual harassment lawsuit. According to court documents, former Copia employee Crystal Tynan alleged that she had been harassed by Copia’s former Director of Operations Art Ferretti. Tynan had filed suit in Napa County Superior Court and […]
Is Cecchetti Merger Racke’s U.S. End Game?
January 21, 2009
Racke USA, which has struggled for more than two decades to find significant traction in the U.S. market, has merged with the brains and brawn behind the hot-selling Pepperwood Grove brand, Roy Cecchetti. Once best known as the owner of Sonoma’s venerable Buena Vista Winery, Racke has now merged its remaining U.S. operations into a […]