One of California’s most controversial winery owners will pay $1.49 million to settle a sexual harassment lawsuit that alleged “sexual touching,” “rubbing of genitals,” ‘forcible kissing” and more by male supervisors at one of its wineries.
In 2022, the Wonderful Company — which owns Fiji Water and Pom Wonderful juice — and its Paso Robles winery, Justin Vineyards, was sued by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission for allegedly allowing male supervisors to subject female co-workers and customers to sexual harassment.
According to a press release from the EEOC, “the companies did not properly handle complaints, leaving employees vulnerable to ongoing harassment.” The harassment allegations dated back to “at least August 2017,” and after employees complained, they were allegedly “subjected to retaliation and forced to quit their jobs.”
“We take nothing more seriously than maintaining the most respectful and positive work culture for every one of our colleagues, and we’re proud that our policies and standards foster that,” a Justin spokesperson said. “This matter dates back many years and was dealt with immediately and decisively, the moment we became aware of any allegations of conduct that did not align with what is appropriate in the workplace. With this agreement reached, we look forward to putting this chapter fully behind us and continuing to focus on the incredibly talented team we have in place today.”
The development is the latest in a string of controversies connected to the Wonderful Company’s wine holdings over the past decade. Owned by billionaires Steward and Lynda Resnick, the company purchased Justin, one of the Central Coast’s most recognized wineries — which also has a Michelin-starred restaurant — in 2010, and later acquired Sonoma’s Landmark Vineyards and Napa’s Lewis Cellars.
In 2016, the Resnicks received significant pushback from the San Luis Obispo County wine community when they cleared 100 acres of oak trees near Justin to construct a reservoir and new vineyard. The removal of oaks in Paso Robles was legal, but the Resnicks apologized and promised to plant 5,000 new oaks elsewhere. They’ve also been criticized for excessive water use in their agricultural ventures during California’s drought years.
The EEOC lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court for the Central District of California, states the sexual harassment was “frequent, ongoing, inappropriate, unwelcome and offensive.” The complaint cites roughly a dozen examples of alleged misconduct by male supervisors, such as “sexual touching of the buttocks, waist and breasts”; “snapping of bra straps”; “nibbling on the ear”; “biting on the shoulder”, “exposure” of private body parts; and “texting inappropriate photos.”
The lawsuit, which does not state how many women alleged harassment, also includes examples of “frequent sexual comments.” In one incident, a supervisor requested to “engage in a threesome,” according to the complaint.
The lawsuit claims that the winery and the Wonderful Company “knew or should have known” about the misconduct because it often occurred “within earshot or plain sight” of other managers and supervisors, and employees complained to management about the harassment.
In response, human resources employees allegedly “made accusations against the assusers” or “blamed victims” for the harassment. Those who complained faced retaliation, the complaint says, including being assigned extra shifts and being yelled at and laughed at by supervisors. As a result, some employees resigned.
In the press release, the EEOC said, “The policy changes and reporting to which the companies agreed are important steps in ensuring a workplace free of discrimination.”
Dining and Cooking