"No uvas/No grapes!" was once the boycott cry of the United Farm Workers.
Now comes Black Eagle Wines, bottled under the blessing and licensing of the United Farm Workers, the labor union co-founded by Cesar Chavez. The wine company isn't owned by the United Farm Workers, but its signature "huelga" eagle is stamped on each bottle and proceeds go back to the union. The wine's motto: "Celebrating justice. Supporting farm workers."
Black Eagle Wines has bottled three wines in this inaugural vintage, which were released on Cesar Chavez Day this past March 31: cabernet sauvignon ($30), merlot ($27) and a sauvignon blanc ($25) that received 92 points in Wine Enthusiast magazine.
The grapes in each wine were harvested in the Napa Valley and produced under United Farm Workers contracts. Think of Black Eagle Wines as the fair trade coffee for the oenophile set.
"We're turning boycotting on its ears," says Marva Diaz, the chief operating officer of Black Eagle Wines. "Instead of focusing on the negative – that had its day and purpose – today's consumers really respond to a kind of social consumerism. Where you choose to spend your money can promote social responsibility. We want to showcase the quality of what can be produced by farmworkers. You can have a union contract and have a quality good."
Black Eagle Wines was conceived by Richie Ross, the Sacramento area political consultant who's also lobbied for the United Farm Workers, as a way of raising money for the union's organizing efforts. Ross' son Joaquin acts as the president of Black Eagle Wines.
The actual wines are produced and bottled at St. Supéry, a winery in Rutherford. And these prices aren't meant to compete with "Two Buck Chuck." With prices fetching $30 for Black Eagle Wines' cabernet, a grape picker would have to work for about three hours to earn enough for a bottle, according to figures from the State of California Employment Development Department.
The priciness of Napa grapes – a ton of cabernet grapes commands more than $4,000 – along with honoring union contracts that guarantee worker protections and benefits also factors into the price point for Black Eagle Wines.
About 2,000 cases of Black Eagle Wines were produced, and approximately $5 from each bottle sold goes toward the United Farm Workers. The late Chavez would probably have said "cheers!" to the whole idea.
"Cesar Chavez had an entrepreneurial spirit with his Radio Campesina (radio network) and his own printing press," says Diaz. "He was always looking for ways to raise money for farmworkers. In talking to people, I think he would've been very proud of this way to spread a message and raising funds for the organization."
Bottles of Black Eagle Wines are available at a single store, midtown's 58 Degrees & Holding Co. Orders can also be placed at Black Eagle Wines' Web site (www. blackeaglewines.com), and $65 gift sets are available that include two bottles wrapped in union-made bandannas.
Black Eagle Wines are also being poured at political functions and fundraisers around Sacramento, and were served at an event during the Democratic National Convention last summer in Denver. But now the company is looking ahead to its sophomore vintage.
"We're hoping to get licensed in as many states as possible and get into the consciousness of people," says Diaz. "When you choose to celebrate in your life, think of what these grapes represent: justice in the fields."
Call Bee food and wine writer Chris Macias, (916) 321-1253.
