AM I NEXT? NO LOVE AT MISSION BELL WINERY

Constellation Brands is closing its historic Madera, California-based Mission Bell Winery in Madera, California, by March 31, 2026, due to declining demand and the end of a key distribution contract with E. & J. Gallo Winery.

The reduction in force will impact 200 employees with layoffs starting on March 31, 2026.

According to a spokesperson from parent company, Constellation Brands, "We are taking necessary steps to optimize our operations to support our future production needs at this facility. This will, unfortunately, impact a number of roles within our Mission bell operations.”

Change is constant, and it's coming. There will always be a tomorrow, no matter how much you may try to ignore it. There are no guarantees in life, nor promises of a bright future. We see good people being laid off through no fault of their own. Just because something terrible hasn't happened yet doesn't mean it won't. It can happen to anyone, at any time, anywhere. No one is guaranteed to wake up tomorrow and still have a job by evening. While many employees can read the writing on the wall, why do most assume it’s targeted at someone else? Are you now wondering, Am I Next?

AM I NEXT? NO LOVE AT VINTAGE WINE ESTATES

Santa Rosa, California-based Vintage Wine Estates, a major wine producer with a portfolio of brands operating in Mendocino, Sonoma, and Napa counties, has announced a mass layoff of all employees as it enters Chapter 11 bankruptcy and attempts to sell all its assets to benefit its creditors.

Approximately 377 employees across 10 locations in four Bay Area counties are impacted by the layoff.

According to a company filing, “If the bankruptcy court approves the sale process, and if one or more buyers ultimately is approved to purchase the company’s assets, the company would cease operations and all VWE employees, at all locations, would be terminated. While we are hopeful that a buyer would hire some of the company’s workforce, we cannot be certain that will occur."

According to Chief Executive Officer Seth Kaufman, “The decreased demand resulted in a surplus of winegrape production in California vineyards, with 375,000 tons of winegrapes going unpicked. Grape growers have torn out or burned acres of vineyards to avoid maintaining unprofitable idle land.”

It also appears that the company suffered from financial engineering manipulations as it attempted to grow by acquisition.

Change is coming. There will always be a tomorrow, no matter how much you may try to ignore it. There are no guarantees in life or promises for a bright future. We see good people being laid off through no fault of their own. Just because something bad hasn't happened yet doesn't mean it won't. It can happen to anyone, anytime, anywhere. No one is guaranteed to wake up tomorrow and still have a job by evening. While many employees can read the writing on the wall; why do most assume it’s targeted at someone else? Are you now wondering, Am I Next?

AM I NEXT? NO LOVE AT JUMBO BEVERAGES

Grapevine Texas-based Jumbo Beverages, a beverage distributor of beer and beverages, has announced the closure of its Grapevine, Texas beverage distribution facility serving over 20 suppliers across 22 counties in North Texas.

The closure will impact 109 employees and will be finalized on April 30, 2024.

Jumbo Beverages is owned by Dallas, Texas-based Glazer’s Beer and Beverages. It appears that Glazer's is optimizing their distribution system.

Change is coming. There will always be a tomorrow, no matter how much you may try to ignore it. There are no guarantees in life or promises for a bright future. We see good people being laid off through no fault of their own. Just because something bad hasn't happened yet doesn't mean it won't. It can happen to anyone, anytime, anywhere. No one is guaranteed to wake up tomorrow and still have a job by evening. Are you now wondering, Am I Next?