If you employ full-time staff, seasonal crews, or part-time help in Oregon’s wine industry, there’s a new law that could change how you approach labor planning and workplace disputes—especially during your busiest seasons. Oregon Senate Bill 916 (SB 916) makes Oregon the first state in the country to offer unemployment insurance (UI) benefits to both public and private sector employees who are engaged in a labor strike. Why Provide Unemployment Benefits to a Striking Workforce? Lawmakers behind the bill say it’s about fairness. Their argument is that workers who are lawfully on strike shouldn’t be forced to choose between standing up for better conditions and being able to pay their bills. They point out that most strikes in Oregon don’t last long—about eight or nine weeks on average—and believe a short-term safety net could lead to more productive negotiations. But not everyone agrees. Many employers, especially in agriculture and manufa

Starting January 1, 2026, a new Oregon law will significantly reshape how liability works in private construction projects. Under Senate Bill 426 (SB 426), property owners and general contractors can now be held liable for wage theft committed by subcontractors, even those buried deep in the contracting chain. Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek signed SB 426 into law on June 9, 2025. It’s a landmark move—and one that raises the stakes for compliance. Here’s what Oregon businesses need to know, and how they can start preparing now. What’s the Big Change Under SB 426? If you’re a property owner or GC in Oregon, SB 426 brings a shift in risk you can’t afford to ignore. The law says you are jointly and severally liable for unpaid wages, penalties, and benefits owed by any subcontractor working under your contract—even if you weren’t directly involved and had no knowledge of the issue. In short, it’s no longer enough to say, “That wasn’t

Day Two at AWITC Adelaide – Done and Dusted! We had a fantastic day on the stand with our distribution partners, Redox, connecting with so many passionate people from across the wine industry. But we’re not done yet! We’re back at the Australian Wine Industry Technical Conference tomorrow ready for another round of great conversations and innovation. We’ll be showcasing our Pinnacle and Maurivin wine ingredient ranges—and yes, we’ll be sporting another set of outlandish workwear! Come and see what we’re wearing, and more importantly, discover how our products can help you craft exceptional wines. There’s still time to visit us before the technical conference wraps up. Don’t miss your chance to meet our expert team—Dr Anthony Heinrich, Dr Pierre Van Rensburg, and Dr Tina Tran—who are on hand to advise on all aspects of winemaking problem-solving. Whether you want to optimise fermentation, enhance flavour, or overcome

We are proud to share that, as of June 1, 2025, Town Hall Brands has been appointed to represent Wines of Argentina in Western Canada. This opportunity follows nearly two decades of outstanding stewardship by Dana Lee Consulting Ltd. We extend our sincere thanks to Dana and her team for the strong foundation they built for Argentine wines in this market. We are honoured to continue this legacy with renewed energy and focus. Judith Arcand, who has worked closely with us on wine industry projects since 2020, will lead the program across BC, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba. Town Hall Brands will be responsible for projects involving trade marketing, media relations, and promotional initiatives to support Wines of Argentina in Western Canada. With deep experience in wine communications and industry engagement, we look forward to elevating awareness and appreciation for Argentina’s incredible wine regions and producers. For inquiries, please reach out to Leeann Froese at leeann

“Cuvaison’s light-filled tasting room is an antidote to the dark, cellar-like atmosphere found at many wineries,” notes Tina Caputo in her recent article in the Press Democrat, "A Couple of Tech Guys Opened Napa’s Cuvaison 55 Years Ago. It Keeps Getting Better." Congratulations to Cuvaison on this well-deserved recognition! For more details on this project and how our construction team helps wineries create unforgettable spaces, explore our work at Nordby Construction. https://www.gasarchitects.com/cuvaison https://www.cuvaison.com/los-carneros-wine-tasting https://www.pressdemocrat.com/

Afternoon Brief, October 18th

A New Report Sheds Light on Millennial and Gen Z Drinking Behaviors: Where have all the younger drinkers gone? It’s the question that everyone who works with beverage alcohol has been asking themselves...