Team Nick Bourke

In honor of Nick Bourke’s memory, Martignetti Companies organized a team to ride in the annual Massachusetts Ride to Defeat ALS on September 17, 2023.

Many of Nick’s family and friends participated in the ride along with the following Martignetti employees:

• Dan Shiels
• Todd O’Connell
• Heather Tarter
• Steve Gack
• Jay Harmon
• Michael Martignetti
• Maggie Dey Abele
• Jarod Winters
• Peter Colettis (retiree)
• Freddy Cicerchia (retiree)

We want to thank all those who participated in the ride and who cheered on the sidelines for this great cause that is so dear to our hearts. The group raised over 40K, an incredible feat and way to honor Nick and his family.

LGBTQ+ History Month

Sunday is October 1st and the start of LGBTQ+ History Month. Checkout the upcoming issues of The Grapevine in our DEI section for more information on LGBTQ+ History Month and how it started.

Free Covid-19 Tests

The US government will relaunch a program to provide free Covid-19 home tests to Americans, US Department of Health and Human Services said Wednesday. US households can order four free tests from Covidtests.gov starting September 25.

Social Security: Preparing for Retirement

Social Security claiming strategies can be complex. Please join us for a discussion on important claiming considerations as they relate to your plans for retirement.

Hosted by: The Kelliher Corbett Group at Morgan Stanley

Presented by: Doug Orton , Business Development Strategist, MFS

Friday, October 13 | 12:00 PM

Register HERE

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

Welcome!

Please join us in welcoming these newly hired employees.

Don Berube

Title: Maintenance Technician, MA

Hired: 9/25/23

Fun Fact: I build and play guitars.

Aaron Smith

Title: Sales Representative, Maine, NNE

Hired: 9/25/23

Fun Fact: I have a crazy two-year-old Australian Shepard named Panda. Yes, my children named her!

Favorite Company Product: Wyoming Whiskey Outryder

Congratulations!

Please join us in congratulating this well deserved promotion!

Shawn Normile

From: Merchandiser

Promoted to: Sales Representative, United

Date: 9/18/23

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)
• 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 [email protected]

Danielle Runkles

Social Media & Communications Specialist, MA

We were supposed to go apple picking this weekend but it rained both days so we bought some instead and made our annual apple pies.

Fall is HERE!

Fall is HERE! Share pictures of your fall adventures from home by sending them to [email protected]

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

Hispanic Heritage Month Spotlight:

Bertha González Nieves | Casa Dragones Tequila

Co-founder and CEO Bertha González Nieves is a trailblazer who has broken the mold by becoming the first female certified as Maestra Tequilera by the Academia Mexicana de Catadores de Tequila.

Though she began her career and worked for a decade as an executive at Jose Cuervo International, the world's largest tequila company, her company takes tequila in a different direction. Casa Dragones is deeply committed to handcrafted, small-batch production that González Nieves believes affords them the luxury of applying meticulous attention and detail into their product.

Casa Dragones, carried by our United Division, begins with a small batch, modern sustainable method of production, meticulously handcrafting each bottle to deliver an extraordinary sipping experience. This approach enables us to maintain focus and strict quality control in each batch, ensuring an exceptional taste and the highest possible quality.

Don Q Rum

Don Q Rum, carried by our Hartley & Parker Division, was founded in the late 1800s by the Serrallés family and is still a family owned and operated distillery after four generations. The Puerto Rican Rum dynasty is steeped in history; from their very own rum being used at the inception of the very first Piña Colada, to winning numerous awards over the last thirty years, including one for their flavored rum, Don Q Limón. Today, the company is operated by Roberto Serrallés, whose innovative processes have made Don Q Rum one of the top green spirits producers in the world.

In 2022 Don Q Rum promoted Liza Cordero to the role of Master Blender. Cordero works directly with Silvia Santiago, the first female Master Blender in Puerto Rico, who has been with Destilería Serrallés for more than 45 years and also holds the title of Sr. VP of Manufacturing and Maestra Ronera.

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 [email protected]

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

70% of the earth is water and virtually none of it is carbonated.

So the earth is, in fact, flat.

Our Daily Bread Taunton

Our Daily Bread Taunton Tasting for a Cause Fundraiser was held on Friday, September 22. The event raises thousands of dollars to serve hot meals to those in need, hand out grocery boxes, and gift cards. Through this successful fund raising over the years, they have been able to provide showers, laundry facilities, and employment resources for the homeless in our community.

Learn more HERE

Volunteers:

• Samantha Petow
• Wanda Frankiewicz
• Sheryl Estey
• William Harmon
• Tricia Murphy
• Tim Bruce

➤  Taunton, MA

Martignetti Companies, MA

Chocolate Martini

INGREDIENTS:

• 2-3 oz NEW Baileys Chocolate

• 2-3 oz Smirnoff Whipped Cream Vodka

• .25 oz Crème de Cacao White

• .25 oz Crème de Cacao Dark 

DIRECTIONS:

Add all ingredients to a shaker with ice. Shake and strain into prepared coup glass. Enjoy!

Missed the video? Watch HERE

Wicked New England Espresso

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 oz Boston Harbor Maple Cream

• 1.5 oz Absolut Vanilia (or Blue)

• .5 oz Kahlua

• 1.5 oz Espresso

DIRECTIONS:

Rim martini glass with chocolate syrup and espresso powder. Add all ingredients to shaker with ice. Shake, then strain into glass.

Missed the video? Watch HERE

Pink Paloma

INGREDIENTS:

• 2 oz Partida Blanco Tequila

• 2 oz Ruby Red Grapefruit Juice

• .5 oz Lime Juice

• .5 oz Simple Syrup

• 1.5 oz Soda Water 

DIRECTIONS:

Combine Partida Blanco and ruby red grapefruit juice, shake with ice and strain into a highball glass over fresh ice. Add soda last and stir with a bar spoon. Garnish with a grapefruit wedge.

Classic Fall Double Feature Tasting

"Such a fantastic day to get together and show some unbelievable wines and spirits! There is no doubt that the customers who attended were engaged and connecting with each of you and your selections. Thank you for your support at the Classic tasting.

I’d be remiss if I did not give a special shout out to Matt Sandock and Matt Freedman. It was their hard work that brought this day to fruition. They both did a phenomenal job and even though Matt Freedman couldn’t be there with us, his preparation in advance insured a successful event. We missed you Matt!

Thank you ALL for a phenomenal day!"

- Stefanie Korman, Assistant Vice President, Classic, MA

➤  GUFO, Cambridge, MA

Classic Division, MA

Komos Cocktails with a Local Flair

Tequila Komos held their ‘Classic Cocktails with a Local Flair’ competition at Envoy this week for Boston Bartenders to show off their skills and WOW the competition came out strong.

Pazza on Porter who took the win and all those who participated did an amazing job!

• Pazza on Porter
• The Pearl South Bay
• Tiki Rock
• Ocean Prime
• The Envoy
• Granary Tavern
• Scholars
• Bostonia Public House

➤  Envoy, Boston, MA

Commonwealth & Excel Division, MA

Halfway to Saint Patrick's Day

The United and Excel teams celebrated Halfway to St Patrick’s Day and the Holiday Kickoff GSM with Pernod Ricard and the Wee Pub. We poured Jameson Black Barrel cocktails and everyone tried the high end Irish line: Spots, Midleton, Redbreast 15 & 21. Everyone got a Jameson/Bruins Nike Half Zip so they’d look the part when kicking off the new partnership with customers.

➤  Martignetti Companies, Taunton, MA

United & Excel Division, MA

Carolina 'Crushable' European Palate Tasting

On Wednesday, September 20, the Carolina Division hosted its second annual trade tasting focusing exclusively on the division’s extensive European import selections. The theme of this year’s well-attended tasting was 'Crushable', with a focus on energetic, food-friendly wines. Along with a tremendous lineup, we showcased the Martignetti Exchange electronic tasting booklet at the event. We are delighted to not only bring our customers the best portfolio of wine and spirits in the industry, but to also deliver the most innovative resources for world-class service to these accounts.

➤  Rochambeau, Boston, MA

Carolina Division, MA

Hartley & Parker Sales Division

is featuring Partida Blanco Tequila.

Tequila Partida was founded in 2005 and was inspired by its namesake, Enrique Partida. Enrique was a 3rd generation agave farmer, considered a master in his community. His heritage and legacy live on with every sip of our award-winning tequila.

Partida Tequila is made from only blue agave grown in the Tequila Valley, near a dormant volcano. The rich, red volcanic soil is perfect for the plant. After 7 to 10 years in the fields, it reaches close to 100 lbs. and is hand-harvested by the jimadors.

Within 24 hrs of harvest, the agave is cooked fresh, slowly, in a stainless steel autoclave, to retain its crisp, rich, natural flavors.

After a slow, natural fermentation in stainless steel tanks, the liquid is twice distilled in small traditional pot stills, producing a clear tequila that retains the fresh, natural characteristics of the agave.

Partida is aged beyond expectations in ex-bourbon, American White Oak casks to enhance the fresh natural agave flavor and color.

Partida Blanco Tequila Real and fresh expression of blue agave. Crystal clear appearance. Perfect harmony and balance between aromas and flavors. A wide and complex variety of herbal, earthy, and citrus notes dominate. Hints of tropical fruits and vanilla but overall cooked agave, sweet potatoes, black pepper, volcanic minerals, and grapefruit.

“The Partida Tequilas are simply the finest line of tequilas that money can buy.” F. PAUL PACULT / The Spirit Journal

Hartley & Parker Sales Division

is also featuring Crede Valdobbiadene Prosecco

Superiore D.O.C.G. Brut.

"Crede" is the local dialect term for the clay-laden soil that characterizes the vineyards in the municipality of Valdobbiadene where the grapes used to produce this Prosecco Superiore are chosen. These ancient slopes were once covered by the sea and later formed by the slow movement of the land arching up and inclining the strata vertically. This ground allows the water to be stored close to the roots of the vines avoiding the effects of drought. This way the grapes become enriched with the noble acids that emanate the elegant and delicate floral notes.

Crede Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore D.O.C.G. Brut Brilliant, straw yellow with green highlights. Perlage is fine and persistent. A fresh and elegant aroma from which the fragrance of wildflowers comes to the forefront alongside delicate nuances of apples and pears.

The harmony of the bouquet is fully realized by the taste; a savory, rich, fine, and versatile sip.

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

Century Sales Division

is excited to feature NEW ready-to-drink cocktails from Diageo that landed this week. With Friday being National Coffee Day may we introduce Ketel One Espresso Martini.

Ketel One Espresso Martini is made with premium Ketel One Vodka and coffee liqueur. This ready-to-serve cocktail was concocted with some of the most celebrated and creative bartenders to ensure a bar quality cocktail experience straight from the bottle. Enjoy this perfectly crafted espresso martini from the comforts of home.

Classic Sales Division

is excited to feature a local New England Distiller NEW to their portfolio GlenPharmer Distillery AND their Bean Vodka is perfect for National Coffee Day Friday.

GlenPharmer owners, Patrick and Beth Downing, turned their pharmacy backgrounds into a mission to produce “better liquor through chemistry”—creating meticulously crafted artisan spirits using the finest natural ingredients, grains and yeasts. Their award-winning portfolio is created right here in New England in Franklin, Massachusetts.

Bean is GlenPharmer’s artisan-crafted spirit infused with Salem-based Atomic Coffee Roasters’s acclaimed coffee beans, Madagascar vanilla beans, and the distillery’s eponymously-named small batch distilled vodka.

“Bean is the exciting result of a creative experiment by our distillers,” said Patrick Downing, owner of GlenPharmer Distillery. “We were working on something for our in-house bar program, where we were already using Atomic Coffee Roasters’s products. We knew as soon as we tasted Bean that this spirit had to be bottled and shared. GlenPharmer is proud to collaborate with Atomic Coffee Roasters to add another product to our award-winning complement of premium spirits using locally sourced ingredients.”

Carolina Sales Division

is featuring Hanson of Sonoma Espresso Organic Vodka for National Coffee Day.

Hanson of Sonoma is an organic vodka based on grape distillate. A fifty-plate still creates a very pure spirit that is then filtered seven times. The espresso infusion is made from organic beans. It is non-GMO and gluten free. Like the best espresso you’ve ever had! A bold rich flavor is headlined by notes of chocolate and dark berry and finishes strong with a smooth pure espresso kick.

United Sales Division

is featuring Misunderstood Oat Nog NOW available statewide!

Too early for Nog?! NEVER

Misunderstood Oat Nog is a light and smooth take on a delicious holiday classic without the dairy! Ready to serve - just chill and enjoy OR add it as a replacement to that creamy cocktail ingredient. Made from sustainably sourced gluten free oats, Misunderstood Oat Nog Liqueur is blended to perfection with Misunderstood Ginger Spiced Whiskey and dairy free oat milk. Proudly vegan friendly and gluten free!

Imagine that one friend that can't have a creamy cocktail because of dairy... with this delicious Oat Nog the possibilities are endless!

Commonwealth Sales Division

is celebrating Louis M. Martini's 90th Anniversay!

Louis M. Martini’s decision to settle in Napa Valley was driven by a desire to craft exceptional wines by sourcing the best fruit possible. In the years that followed Prohibition, he established a legacy of craftsmanship and a passion for the Napa Valley that continues to this day. Our history reflects the vision, ingenuity and endurance of a family committed to making the best Cabernet Sauvignon possible. Cheers to 90 Years!

Carolina Sales Division

is featuring Sutter Home for Hope during Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October.

Sutter Home for Hope has been thoughtfully created to bring everyone together — united — in the pledge against breast cancer.

They’re proud of the fact that since 2001, Sutter Home for Hope has donated hundreds of thousands of dollars to help support those touched by breast cancer, and they know that 2023 will be another great year of giving.

Sutter Home Wine's pledge to take a stand against breast cancer is personal.

Read more HERE to find out why.

Connoisseur Sales Division

is featuring Cusumano Nero d'Avola 2019.

The Cusumano family is committed to creating wines that showcase these distinct regions, resulting in the brand becoming the #1 Sicilian wine in the US with 90+ ratings year over year. They were also among the first to adopt innovative glass stoppers, which are easy to open, re-usable and keep the wine fresh.

Cusumano Nero d'Avola "Lots of fruity, dark-cherry aromas and flavors with undertones of lemon peel and zest. It’s medium-bodied with firm tannins and a lightly chewy texture at the finish." 91 Points, James Suckling

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.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Breast Cancer Awareness Month is an annual international health campaign organized by major breast cancer charities every October to increase awareness of the disease and to raise funds for research into its cause, prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and cure.

Did you know that one in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime? While you can’t usually prevent cancer, it is important to be proactive about your health.

According to the American Cancer Society, when breast cancer is detected early, and is in the localized stage, the 5-year relative survival rate is 99%. Early detection includes doing monthly breast self-exams and scheduling regular clinical breast exams and mammograms.

Read more HERE