Truck Driver Appreciation Week

Martignetti Companies joined the nation this week in recognizing America’s Truck Drivers, Warehouse Associates and Support Teams that play a critical role maintaining supply chains for businesses across the country.

Massachusetts Truck Drivers made 300,000 stops in fiscal 2023 with 65 trucks going out per day and driving 2 million miles.

Connecticut Truck Drivers made 250,000 stops in fiscal 2023 with 32 trucks going out per day and driving over 1 million miles.

Their commitment to safety and service is critical to the success of our business and we are proud of what they do every day.

This year, we ask that our employees, suppliers, and customers join us in thanking our Truck Drivers and Warehouse Team September 10-16, 2023.

We are posting on social media all week. If you have a social media account, make sure you show your appreciation by liking or commenting on the posts.

Read the press release HERE

Please Help: Volunteers Needed!

Martignetti Companies DEI External Relations Committee would like to announce an amazing volunteer opportunity! On September 23, 2023, Harbor to the Bay (H2B), a 20+yr annual charity bike ride from Boston to Provincetown, will be held for the final time. 100% of the funds raised by H2B supports AIDS prevention, treatment, education, and care.

Learn more HERE

Click HERE for Martignetti Volunteer Opportunities.

Click HERE to Register.

The DEI External Relations Committee wants to Thank You in advance for your consideration to help at this amazing event!

Last Call: Animal Shelter Donations

Deadline: September 15

Click HERE for donation list.

Donation Collection:

Donation collection stations are set up in Massachusetts warehouse and collections closet near the HR offices. Your donations will go a long way in supporting the APCSM's efforts.

We invite you to join Morgan Stanley at Work’s Webinar Wednesday series. Financial education can help you make the most of your equity compensation plan and play a vital role in building a better future.

To learn more and register click HERE

Fall Sales Internship 2023

Please welcome the Fall 2023 Sales Interns to Martignetti Companies!

These rising stars will get firsthand experience working at the largest distributor of Wine and Spirits in New England and the 6th largest in the country.

We are excited to have them join our teams!

Mike Humphries

School: Westfield

Hobbies: Weight Lifting and Sports

Fun Fact: I love Swimming

Favorite Vacation Spot: Cape Cod

Favorite Food: Chipotle

Will Harmon

School: Massasoit

Hobbies: Sports, mainly basketball and football, and music

Fun Fact: I work for the Brockton Rox Baseball team

Favorite Vacation Spot: Royal Solaris Cancun Mexico

Favorite Food: Mexican

Blaise LaValle

School: Bryant University

Hobbies: Playing lacrosse, skiing and watching football

Fun Fact: I love my two bulldogs

Favorite Vacation Spot: Newport RI

Favorite Food: Chicken Broccoli Alfredo

This section is where employees can share updates from home. Here are a few topics that employees might be interested in seeing and sharing.

• Family, Kids, Animals (including names)
• Activities (boating, camping, parks, biking, swimming, hiking)
• Life Events (weddings, graduations, anniversaries, purchase a new house)
• Gardening/Outdoors (show off your garden, sunset, landscape)
• Home Renovations (before and after pictures)
• Food and Drink (date night, family night, home cooking, drinks)

If you have something to share please send in pictures for the following categories to thegrapevine@martignetti.com

Mike Buccieri

Sales Representative, United, MA

Back to school for Leila and Luke.

Meredith Vento

Graphic Designer, Marketing, MA

The Vento kids had their first day of school.

Back to School

Did your kids or grandkids return to school? Share pictures of their first day by sending them to thegrapevine@martignetti.com

Donna Campbell

Administrative Assistant, Carolina, MA

Fan Appreciation Night at Seekonk. My daughter Brittany is one of 8 drivers in her Sport Truck Division battling for the Championship. I want to give Erika Alcantara, Graphic Designer in the Marketing Department, a shout-out for designing Brittany’s hero cards. They are like trading cards they hand out on Fan Appreciation Day at the track.

Jenna Winn Cafarelli

Sales Representative, Tel-Sell

Frank Cafarelli

POS Coordinator, Warehouse & Delivery

We spent our 3rd Anniversary at Boston Harbor Distillery.

Fall is almost HERE!

Fall is almost HERE! Share pictures of your fall adventures from home by sending them to thegrapevine@martignetti.com

Hispanic Heritage Month

Hispanic Heritage Month is an annual celebration of the history and culture of the U.S. Latino and Hispanic communities. Hispanic Heritage Month 2023 will last from Friday, September 15 through Sunday, October 15. The event commemorates how those communities have influenced and contributed to American society at large.

The observation started in 1968 as Hispanic Heritage Week under President Lyndon Johnson and was expanded by President Ronald Reagan in 1988 to cover a 30-day period starting on September 15 and ending on October 15. It was enacted into law on August 17, 1988, on the approval of Public Law 100-402.

The day of September 15 is significant because it is the anniversary of independence for Latin American countries Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. In addition, Mexico and Chile celebrate their independence days on September 16 and September 18, respectively.

Read more HERE

Keep an eye out each week in our DEI section for Hispanic Heritage Month spotlights that include talented people in the industry and products from Latin origin.

Hispanic Heritage Month Interactive Presentation

We're excited to introduce our special Hispanic Heritage Month (HHM) interactive presentation, brought to you by the Education, Awareness, & Training Subcommittee.

This presentation is designed to celebrate and deepen our understanding of Hispanic heritage and culture during HHM.

We encourage you to dive in, explore, and share your thoughts, learnings, or favorite aspects of the HHM presentation in the Grapevine post's comments section in Community!

Click HERE

Sexual Misconduct Prevention & Response Training

Tuesday, September 19 / 3:00PM EST

Join Women of the Vine & Spirits for FREE, expert-led trainings, customized for our industry, and invite your colleagues to participate.

Creating a safe and equitable workplace is an ongoing process of both learning and unlearning. For the third year in a row, Women of the Vine & Spirits is offering free training to the beverage alcohol industry on Sexual Violence Prevention and Misconduct.

“It is everyone’s responsibility to work to eradicate any and all harassment from the industry and WSWA is pleased to work with Women of the Vine & Spirits on this important effort,” said Francis Creighton, president and CEO of WSWA. “Taking advantage of this valuable training is one important part of building a safer and more inclusive wine and spirits industry."

Register HERE

We want to make The Grapevine as inclusive as possible. If there is something you would like us to celebrate or recognize in The Grapevine DEI section, please email dei@martignetti.com

This Month’s Training Highlight:

FindTime for Outlook

FindTime is an Outlook add-in for scheduling meetings. The organizer can send multiple time options through FindTime and minimize the back-and-forth emails in scheduling.

Course Objectives:

• This brief training will show you how to gain access to FindTime and how to use it when scheduling meetings.

Click HERE to launch the “FindTime for Outlook” training.

Employee Awareness Information:

Paylocity Mobile App vs. the Web Browser Version

Paylocity can be accessed through a web browser (i.e., Safari, IE, Chrome, MS Edge, etc.) or on the Mobile App.

• The full version of Paylocity (via web browser) allows users to access all system functions and options.
• There are several limitations of the mobile app that users should be aware of.

The chart in the link below explains what can be accessed in the mobile app and what tasks require users to log in to Paylocity through a web browser.

To view images and instructions click HERE

Joke of the Week

Which is faster? Hot or cold?



Hot. You can easily catch a cold.

Safety Committee

Our Safety Committee is underway and we’re having valuable safety discussions. Merchandiser and SR representation is vital to our success. The desired attendance from these groups would be (3) of each position. We meet for 30 minutes per month via Teams and live in Taunton. Let’s discuss the potential future incidents and solve for them before they occur. Please take this distinct opportunity to meet and collaborate with us to ensure a safe workplace for our employees and customers.



If you have any interest or questions, please send e-mail to: dhunt@martignetti.com

The Muddy Buddies Martini

INGREDIENTS:

• 1.5 oz Skrewball Peanut Butter Whiskey

• 2 oz RumChata

• .5 oz Kahlua

• .5 oz Mozart Chocolate

• Chocolate Syrup and Powdered Sugar

• Handful of Muddy Buddies

DIRECTIONS:

Rim martini glass with chocolate and powdered sugar. Combine Skrewball Peanut Butter Whiskey, RumChata, Kahlua and Mozart into a shaker with ice. Shake vigorously and strain into rimmed glass. Side of Muddy Buddies.

Missed the video? Watch HERE

Coconut Mint Chip Martini

INGREDIENTS:

• 3 oz Ole Smoky Mint Chocolate Chip Cream Whiskey

• .5 oz Cream of Coconut

• Chocolate Cookie Crumbles

• Mint Leaves

DIRECTIONS:

Combine ingredients with ice. Shake well and strain into a crushed chocolate cookie-rimmed glass. Mint leaves garnish.

18th Annual Drive Out Diabetes Golf Tournament

Joe Theis, Sales Representative, Stefan Wich, Key Account Manager, Paul Jaranko, District Sales Manager, Doug Preston, District Sales Manager, Hartley & Parker Division, CT

Foxwoods Mashantucket Tribe hosted its 18th Annual Drive Out Diabetes Golf Tournament at the Lake of Isles on September 11th sponsored by Hartley & Parker.

➤ Lake of Isles, North Stonington, CT

Hartley & Parker Division, CT

Ty Law at Davios

Corvus Vodka launch at Davios with Ty Law. So much fun, really nice guy.

➤ Davios, Foxborough, MA

Jenna Winn Cafarelli

Sales Representative, Tel-Sell, MA

Frank Cafarelli

POS Coordinator, Warehouse & Delivery, MA

Hartley & Parker Sales Division

is featuring Gale Force Sauvignon Blanc.

Gale Force Sauvignon Blanc is produced from our family vineyard in the Awatere Valley of Marlborough. The Awatere Valley of Marlborough is a relatively new grape growing region of New Zealand. The most powerful element this valley has upon vines is the wind. Predominantly from the West, these winds drive through the valley from any direction and quite often reach gale-force intensity. Gale-force winds are very unnatural for vines and they expend all their energy into producing the juiciest fruit with the most flavor for the birds to spread their seed. The fruit is harvested before the birds can get to them. The fruit is machine harvested and handled as gently as possible once in the winery, to preserve the vibrant fruit flavors. Fermentation is completed under cool conditions in stainless steel and stopped once there is a natural balance between any residual sugar and the zesty acidity of the Awatere.

Gale Force Sauvignon Blanc "Lifted aromatics, herbal with citrus notes, showing nettles, green bean and aromatic characters from the green spectrum. A clean, focused palate with firm herbal characters and taught acidity." - 89/100, New Zealand Wine Rater

Hartley & Parker Sales Division

is featuring Ole Smoky Mint Chocolate Chip Cream Whiskey.

Ole Smoky has been making moonshine in the Smoky Mountains ever since our great, great mawmaws and pawpaws stepped foot in them over a hundred years ago—but it wasn’t until Tennessee state law changed that we were able to legally open up our first federally licensed distillery in Gatlinburg. That’s right, the moonshine business hasn’t always been on the right side of the law, but since it led us to where we are now, crafting some of the best moonshines and whiskies you’re ever gonna taste, you could say it was totally worth it. (And you’d be right.)

Today, we still make that kick-in-the-mouth moonshine folks have loved for over a century, but we’ve also continued to innovate with flavors like Lemon Drop, Peach, Mint Chocolate Chip Cream, and Apple Pie that have made us famous; because having a heritage you’re proud of is great and all, but being really great today is even better.

Ole Smoky Mint Chocolate Chip Cream Whiskey took the heavenly flavors of mint ice cream and chocolate chips and blended them with our whiskey to make a smooth and creamy sipper that’s perfect over ice. Drink your dessert. Available in New Packaging this Fall!

Hartley & Parker's portfolio may include products that are not available through Martignetti Companies, Massachusetts and NNE.

United Sales Division

is excited to feature NEW appointed Barrell Craft Spirits Barrell Bourbon Batch 035.

Barrell Bourbon Batch 035 is a blend of 6, 7, 8, and 13-year-old bourbons. A multi-mashbill blend of 6 and 7-year-old spicy and earthy, high-rye, high-proof, oak forward barrels was combined with a blend of 8-year-old softer, lower-proof barrels with concentrated notes of dark cherry and butterscotch. After mingling for two months, 13-year-old barrels with dominant fruit flavors were layered in. A portion of these barrels had more tropical fruit notes and the other portion showed more dried and candied fruit notes. The resulting bourbon is peppery and intriguing on the nose, and sweet and long on the finish.

San Francisco World Spirits Competition GOLD

Ultimate Spirits Challenge ​​92 POINTS

Commonwealth Sales Division

is featuring High Noon Game Day Packs for the start of football season.

High Noon Game Day Pack is a limited edition varity pack made for tailgate season and features two exclusive flavors—pear and cranberry—as well as grapefruit and black cherry. Made with real vodka and real fruit juices.

We recently pitted the two exclusive flavors against each other in a vote for the favorite. With close margins (both flavors are amazing) Cranberry won with 52% of the votes.

Century Sales Division

is featuring Crown Royal Regal Apple perfect for Apple Season.

Crown Royal Regal Apple is infused with regal gala apples and hints of caramel and spice. This whisky provides a refined, crisp taste. Made with the signature smoothness of traditional Crown Royal and matured to perfection, the apple flavored whisky will enhance any cocktail party or celebration. Simply mix with cranberry juice and pour over ice for a refreshing tasting Crownberry Apple cocktail. 

Carolina Sales Division

is featuring 14 Hands Cabernet Sauvignon from the recently appointed Ste. Michelle Wine Estates.

14 Hands is inspired by the unbridled spirit of the wild horses that once freely roamed eastern Washington and the Columbia River Valley. Measuring a modest fourteen hands in height – a “hand” equivalent to the width of one’s palm – these tenacious horses would travel down from the hills every day to drink from the mighty Columbia River and graze along the riverbank to cool off at night. Strong and tenacious, these little horses became known for their endurance and were revered around the world.

14 Hands Cabernet Sauvignon is a rich, juicy red that features aromas of dark cherry, black currant, and coffee with subtle hints of spice. Refined tannins and a touch of oak complement the flavors for an enjoyable finish.

Connoisseur Sales Division

is excited to feature the NEWEST addition to The Federalist Wine, Pinot Noir.

America’s original craft wine, made for the people by the people. It’s bold, proud, and fiercely independent. The Federalist is about making wine their way and making it accessible to everyone.

The grapes are sourced from a single vineyard in the Central Coast region of California. Warm days and cool and breezy afternoons and nights lead to ideal conditions to grow Pinot Noir.

The Federalist Pinot Noir Dark fruit and rich black cherry, with a touch of floral and oak notes finishing with a cleansing acidity.

Classic Sales Division

is featuring Brother's Bond Straight Bourbon perfect for Bourbon Heritage Month.

Brother's Bond is created by Ian Somerhalder and Paul Wesley, known as "The Salvatore Brothers" from the famed TV series, "The Vampire Diaries." The true bond of their friendship strengthened while drinking bourbon, both on and off-screen, for over a decade.

The brand name is a nod to their on-screen characters, their shared love for great bourbon, and a reflection of the sense of brotherhood they have formed over the years. They crafted this hand-selected batch, distilled and aged in the tradition of all great bourbon.

Brother's Bond Straight Bourbon Elegant and exceptionally smooth, complex & balanced taste with a touch of sweetness & spice. Aromas of baked banana bread, jammy ripe fruit with walnuts, and orange honey. The finish of fresh-cut oak is energetic and smooth with perfectly balanced warm spice.

Modern Assistance Program

We realize that employees may be experiencing a variety of stressful life events. Modern Assistance Program remains accessible 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. If you or a family member needs assistance, please call (617)-774-0331 or (800)-878-2004 to speak directly with a licensed clinician.

Alzheimer's Awareness Month

Every September, people come together from all around the world to raise awareness and to challenge the stigma that persists around dementia. September 2023 marks the 12th year of this vital global awareness raising campaign.

Next Thurday 9/21 also marks World Alzheimer’s Day. This year’s campaign is ‘Never too early, never too late’.

Every person is unique and dementia effects every individual differently, with no two people experiencing symptoms in exactly the same way. Symptoms also vary by type of dementia. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common type of dementia. 10 of the most common warning signs are:

• Memory loss

• Difficulty performing familiar tasks

• Problems with language

• Disorientation to time and place

• Poor or decreased judgement

• Problems keeping track of things

• Misplacing things

• Changes in mood and behavior

• Trouble with images and spatial relationships

• Withdrawal from work or social activities



If these signs are new, they may be a sign of dementia. Dementia is not a part of normal aging. If you think that these problems are affecting your daily life, or the life of someone you know, you should talk to your doctor or seek out more information from your national Dementia or Alzheimer’s Association.

Read more HERE