Issue link: http://winesandvines.uberflip.com/i/62516
NO VEMBER NEWS Obispo County, opened his picking crews to anyone interested and capable of per- forming the labor. He was happily surprised at the response to his "call to arms." In June 2010, the UFW issued a chal- lenge to those hoping to curtail the use of migrant labor in United States agriculture: "Take Our Jobs," famously publicized on Comedy Central's "Colbert Report," didn't draw many takers last year. Offering $12.50 per hour with a guaran- tee of $80 per day for six-to-seven hours' work, Salisbury announced his plan on a lo- cal TV station and, he told Wines & Vines, "My phone hasn't stopped ringing." Citing California's current 12% unemployment rate, the lifelong farmer said he wants to do the right thing by hiring struggling locals to supplement experienced crews that nor- Winery Hires Jobless for Harvest S Salisbury recruits newbies for temp work in the vineyard an Luis Obispo, Calif.—Taking a page from the United Farm Work- ers Union, John Salisbury, president of Salisbury Vineyards in San Luis John Salisbury decided to supplement his experienced picking crew with area residents. mally come in after the strawberry harvest in Santa Maria Valley. Harvesting grapes is physically taxing, Cherokee_Nov05.qxt 9/19/05 10:52 AM Page 1 as most in the industry know, but Salisbury said the requirements are few: Ability to lift a 35-pound lug, keep up with the crew and, of course, "necessary documentation." Salisbury and his professional vineyard staff supervise the labor. winesandvines.com Learn more: Search keyword "Salisbury." Salisbury farms 35 acres of vines in coastal Avila Valley and another 10 acres inland in Paso Robles. Salisbury planned to start picking Pinot Noir and Albariño in mid-September in Avila, move east to Paso for Cabernet Sauvignon and Zinfandel, then back to the coast for Pinot Grigio, Chardonnay and cool-climate Syrah. Expecting a normal yield of 2.5 to 3 tons per acre, Salisbury said, "We never have a short crop here." Smaller vineyards across the continent often rely on volunteer fans, friends and families to harvest an acre or two of grapes, rewarded with wine and pizza; Salisbury is considering a similar program for those who'd like to try their hands without a full-time commitment— or paycheck. Salisbury said, "I can't wait to see what they (the local volunteers) look like. Some women called to offer their husbands," and some mothers nominated their sons. — Jane Firstenfeld hauling precious cargo • 24 hour dispatch • Competitive rates • Personalized Service • Radio/Cell phone equipped • State-of-the-art equipment • Maximum payload capacity • Over 30 years in operation • References available • Fleet of over 200 trucks including Wine Tanks and Dry Freight Vans CHEROKEE FREIGHT LINES 5463 Cherokee Road • Stockton, CA 95215 Telephone: 209.931.3570 • or visit our website:www.gocfl.com 18 Wines & Vines nOVeMBeR 201 1 SALISBURY VINEYARDS