Business Briefs: Week of Nov. 3, 2014

Send business news about North Bay companies to news@busjrnl.com.Finance

According to the fifth annual Wells Fargo middle class retirement study, saving for retirement is a formidable challenge for middle class Americans, with 34% not contributing anything to a 401(k), an IRA or other retirement savings vehicle.  Forty-one percent of middle Americans between the ages of 50 and 59 are not currently saving for retirement. About a third (31%) of all respondents say they will not have enough money to “survive” in retirement, and this increases to nearly half (48%) of Americans in their 50s.  Nineteen percent of all respondents have no retirement savings.  On behalf of Wells Fargo, Harris Poll conducted 1,001 telephone interviews from July 20 -August 25, 2014 of middle class Americans between the ages of 25 and 75 with a median household income of $63,000.

The Board of Directors of Westamerica Bancorporation (WABC) declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.38 per share on common stock outstanding to shareholders of record at the close of business November 3, 2014. The dividend is payable November 14, 2014. On October 15, 2014, Westamerica reported $15.2 million in net income for the three months ended September 30, 2014, or $0.58 diluted earnings per common share. Westamerica Bancorporation, through its wholly owned subsidiary, Westamerica Bank, operates banking and trust offices throughout Northern and Central California.Nonprofits

In the wake of the closure of the Marin Arts Council in early 2012, a new organization, MarinArts.org, has emerged to support arts and cultural activities in Marin County. On July 29, the Marin County Board of Supervisors designated MarinArts.org as Marin’s official state-local partner with the California Arts Council. This designation will allow MarinArts.org to apply for a grant through the California Arts Council’s State Local Partner Program, re-establishing crucial arts funding that ceased when the Marin Arts Council officially dissolved . A  comprehensive online arts & cultural calendar was created to support all of MarinArts.org’s long term goals including fostering communication and networking between existing arts organizations, artists, cultural institutions and arts related businesses in Marin, informing residents and visitors about the outstanding arts activities and programs that are already happening in Marin,  advocating for all of the arts in Marin.Wine

Collotype Labels, the leading global wine and spirits label supplier, won the top award for digital label printing in two leading North American 2014 print industry competitions. In both of North America’s most distinguished label printing competitions, the North American Gold Ink Awards and the North American Tag & Label Industry Association, Collotype Labels was awarded the top honor for a digitally printed label. In both competitions the winner was the “Freakshow” label brand by Michael-David Winery of Lodi.  

Wine Road of Northern Sonoma County released a new map of wineries and lodgings along the Wine Road that highlights members with environmentally responsible amenities. These wineries either use sustainable farming methods, offer electric car charging stations, or rely on solar panels for power. Long considered an industry standard, the updated map puts an emphasis on Wine Road’s commitment to the environment. Among the numerous environmentally responsible wineries is David Coffaro Vineyard and Winery, which uses three arrays of solar panels that provide 100% solar power to the winery and all buildings on the property, the vineyard irrigation system, and an electric vehicle charging station. DaVero Winery’s solar panels  produce 17 kilowatts of solar power, which is enough electricity to power the entire winery almost year round. Additionally, a number of wineries encourage guests to use electric vehicles by offering charging stations, and continually seek out new ways to lessen their impact upon the environment.

 Blue Ventures Wine Marketing, LLC has been appointed the national sales and marketing company for Consilience Wines of Santa Barbara County.  Founded in 1997 by renowned winemaker Brett Escalera and Tom Daughters, the winery continues today under the family ownership of Bill and Jan Sanger.  Keenly focused on terroir driven Rhône, Burgundy, and California-style grape varieties, the wines consistently garner critical acclaim and loyalty from consumers.  Blue Ventures Wine Marketing was founded by long-time industry executives, Andrew Fromm and Larry Moraes.  The company focuses on the sale and marketing of family-owned and operated wineries that compete in the ultra-premium and luxury market segment.

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