Union: Nonunion Driver Made ‘Gesture’ at Strikers Before Tanker Truck Flipped

Posted on October 13, 2021 by Joel Whitaker

One thing you can count on in a labor dispute:  Anything bad will be seized upon by the union.  Take yesterday, when, the union says, a non-union driver took his hands off the steering wheel of a tanker truck carrying flammable cargo “to make a threatening gesture to a UFCW Local 23D member on strike, and the truck veered out of control and flipped over.

“Heaven Hill is putting profits over the health and safety of its workers and the Bardstown community and today’s dangerous tanker truck incident is sadly just the latest example. Heaven Hill also cut the healthcare of its workers and retirees immediately after they spoke out for a stronger contract and went on strike this past month,” said Matt Aubrey, president, United Food & Commercial Workers Union Local 23D, which represents the strikers.”

The strike is now in its fourth week.

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Axiom Communications to Handle PR from Amber Beverage Group

Posted on October 13, 2021 by Joel Whitaker

Amber Beverage Group (ABG) produces, bottles, markets, distributes, exports, and retails a comprehensive range of beverages of which it owns more than 100 and is responsible for marketing and distributing 1,300 third-party drinks brands, spanning everything from premium vodkas and sparkling wines to speciality Mexican tequilas.

The company’s core brands, which are owned by the company, are: Moskovskaya Vodka, KAH Tequila, Riga Black Balsam, Rooster Rojo tequila, Cross Keys Gin, and Cosmopolitan Diva.

Recently, the company announced a streamlining of the company’s brands to bring them all within the Amber Beverage ‘umbrella’. In 2020, the Group reported revenue of €268.7million ($11,628,318 USD)with continuing ambitious growth plans over the next 5 years.

The company has grown from its original core production business in the pan-Baltic region established in 1900, although its roots go back to 1752 when Riga Black Balsam® was created. It has since expanded steadily to become a global spirits industry player with some 2,000 employees in more than 20 companies in the Baltic States, Austria, Australia, Russia, Mexico, and the United Kingdom. The Group is led by Group CEO, Jekaterina Stuģe.

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Uber Finalizes Acquisition of Drizly

Posted on October 13, 2021 by Joel Whitaker

Uber Technologies, Inc. said it completed its acquisition of Drizly America’s largest e-commerce marketplace, and the two companies will begin integrating their complementary delivery apps and services. The purchase consideration was about $1.1 billion, consisting of some 18.7 million newly issued shares of Uber common stock plus cash.

To “toast” to this milestone, Uber and Drizly are offering $5 off purchases made on Drizly through this Sunday, October 17, with the promo code PAIR at checkout.**

Drizly was designed to be fully compliant with local regulations in more than 1,600 cities across 33 US states. Drizly works with thousands of local retailers to provide consumers with an unmatched shopping experience and the largest selection of beer, wine, and spirits.

Drizly is now a wholly owned subsidiary of Uber. Over the coming months, Drizly’s marketplace will be featured within the Uber Eats app, while also maintaining a separate Drizly app and web experience.

“Uber Eats and Drizly are truly the perfect pairing,” said Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi. “As we invest in expanded offerings in our delivery business—from grocery and convenience stores to a wide variety of retailers—alcohol remains a key driver of demand from consumers in the US. On the Uber Eats app searches for alcohol items have spiked by 200% in the last year alone. By joining forces with Cory’s talented team, we can accelerate our shared trajectory by introducing Drizly to Uber consumers and expanding its geographic presence in the years ahead.”

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Who & What —

Posted on October 13, 2021 by Joel Whitaker

Alamitos Vineyards, an estate vineyard and winery situated at the base of the Santa Cruz Mountains in the enclave of New Almaden,signed George Troquato as winemaking consultant for its growing portfolio. A third-generation vintner, Troquato brings 30 years of winemaking experience from California’s Central Coast.

Wilson Daniels promotes Kim Wood to VP-Southern Division, effective Oct. 15.  He’s been Southwest Regional Manager for four years and will report to Shannon Coursey, senior vp-national sales.

Iron Hill Brewery, Exton, Pa., hires Chris Westcott as chief executive officer. Most recently, Westcott served as the Chief Executive Officer of Rosa Mexicano, a full-service restaurant offering fresh, contemporary, upscale Mexican cuisine in New York City and other major metropolitan areas.

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Sonoma County Grape Harvest: ‘Near Perfect Year for Growing Grapes’

Posted on October 13, 2021 by Joel Whitaker

What a difference a year can make.  In 2020, we were concerned about the safety of our friends in Sonoma County.  This year, the folks there are celebrating the end of harvesting and say that while the grape yield appears to be slightly lighter to average yet, the 2021 crop will be viewed as an excellent vintage. Equally encouraging is that the winegrape market is in much better balance than in past years, said Karissa Kruse, president of the Sonoma County Winegrowers and executive director of the Sonoma County Grape Growers Foundation.

This year’s crop was a little lighter due to a variety of water conservation efforts growers implemented this season to limit water use. This was true across the county and among all varieties. Though the season was void of long, lingering heatwaves, grapes in warmer regions matured slightly earlier due to it being a lighter crop and grapes from the cooler region ripened at a more normal rate.

Looking ahead, challenges remain.  The ongoing California drought is entering its third year with the 2020/21 water year being the 9th driest year in the last 127 years of record keeping. Sonoma County is faced with extremely low water flows in the Russian River and low storage levels in local reservoirs. A long, wet winter is much needed to replenish local watersheds, reservoirs, lakes and ponds. Also, the growing shortage of workers continues to be a challenge in all industries throughout the United States including at local wineries and vineyards.

Given this, Sonoma County Grape Growers Foundation surveyed nearly 1,000 full-time vineyard workers to better understand the challenges and needs of the local labor force and their families. The survey was significant in that 965 respondents participated which accounted for more than 15% of local vineyard workers. The survey was provided in Spanish and English and participants remained anonymous.

“We conducted the largest survey of vineyard workers ever taken in California. Due to the fires, the pandemic, and the economy, we know the past few years have been challenging for everyone. So, we conducted this survey to learn of the key issues to better understand our workforce, their challenges and needs,” said Kruse. She added, “Our focus, like that of our local grape growers, has always been to identify challenges, find solutions and foster the best communication to ensure the strongest relationships.”

Among the critical findings, more than 80% of the vineyard workers in Sonoma County are employed full-time. Over the past five years, local winegrape growers created more full-time work opportunities for vineyard workers. The full-time positions provided stability for the workers and keeps the talented workforce in the community. As a result, Sonoma County does not face many of the challenges of finding and securing seasonal employees as areas of the Central Valley and other regions of California experience.

The unique relationship between Sonoma County winegrape growers and their vineyard workers was apparent in other results in the survey.

  • On average, more than half of local vineyard workers have worked for the same Sonoma County farming family or farm manager for more than 10 years.
  • More than 20% of the respondents have worked for the same employer for more than 20 years.
  • More than 40% of the respondents stated they are receiving free housing or getting housing assistance from their employer. This represented an increase from the 30% of vineyard workers receiving housing support five years ago.
  • Vineyard workers rely on their family and employers as their top two resources if they need support.
  • The average rate of pay for vineyard workers in Sonoma County is $19.87 per hour which is a $3.13 per hour increase since 2017.
  • During harvest, wages for vineyard workers in Sonoma County can be as $30 – $40 per hour.

“Our more than 1,800 growers and their employees work together to grow, harvest and maintain Sonoma County as the most sustainable winegrowing region in the world,” stated Kruse. She added, “Together, we are sustaining agriculture in Sonoma County today and for decades to come. I was also happy to learn that over 90% of our vineyard workers would recommend working in agriculture to their family and friends. This will be critical to preserving agriculture in Sonoma County and California in the years ahead.”

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For 1st Time in 90 years, Empire State Building Observation to Serve Drinks

Posted on October 13, 2021 by Joel Whitaker

Bronx Brewery will be the first supplier, dispensing its libations from 5-9 p.m. Saturday Oct. 14 through Oct. 30.

The award-winning craft brewery from the Bronx’s Port Morris neighborhood will sell four select beers – their American Pale Ale, World Gone Hazy IPA, Smile My Guy IPA, and Das Bronx Oktoberfest – from a special 90th Anniversary cart on the building’s 86th floor. The Empire State Building’s own State Grill and Bar will offer $10 mini NY-style cheesecakes alongside the brewer’s selections. Bronx Brewery is the second vendor in the building’s Observatory pop-up program after a successful August run with My Cookie Dealer.

“We are proud to join forces with the Empire State Building to celebrate Oktoberfest in the heart of New York City,” said Sean Valenti, spokesperson for Bronx Brewery. “Our work revolves around community, creativity, and inclusivity, which are all things that come to mind when we think of the Empire State Building.”

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