One of California's most popular wineries is the latest to lay off workers. Jackson Family Wines, the purveyors of the popular Kendall-Jackson wines, has laid off workers in response to the recession. The
Santa Rosa Press Democrat reports that around 170 people in all areas of the winery operations lost their jobs last week Those cut included winemakers, marketing professionals, administrative assistants, accountants and hospitality staff. According to The Press Democrat's Outlook survey in mid 2008 Jackson Family Wines had 810 employees in Sonoma County making this a sizable reduction in staff. The company sold an estimated 5.6 million cases of wine last year made from 14,000 acres of vineyards in California, but predictions of continued reduction in high-end wine consumption are affecting the bottom line. While the most popular lines and mid-range wines, like the Kendall-Jackson
Vintner's Reserve Chardonnay spotted at the Obama household, are still holding up there is concern for the high-end wine brands will falter. The winery owner, Jess Jackson, is
one of the richest men in the nation and has invested in a acquiring a variety of high-end brands in recent years.
