ST. HELENA – Trinchero Family Estates is on the leading edge among North Bay wineries when it comes to developing and implementing successful wellness strategies. The company’s health focus has been part of its culture since 2003 when they partnered with Weight Watchers for an on-site program.
The program continued to expand and Tony Torres, principal and senior VP of administration at Trinchero, launched the company’s “Vines to Vitality” wellness program in January 2009 in cooperation with the employee wellness committee.
“In 2011 we partnered with Healthyroads, a wellness and prevention program, and gave our employees online tools to take charge of their personal health. Approximately 40 percent of our 750 employees participate in this program,” he said.
[caption id="attachment_44812" align="alignleft" width="350" caption="Trinchero Family Estates employees participating in the Susan G. Komen - Walk for the Cure 2011"][/caption]
Healthyroads includes personal health assessments, telephone-based lifestyle coaching, daily wellness tips, and worksite biometrics screenings (heart rate, cholesterol and BMI). There are cardio and strength planners as well as meal and nutrition planning guidelines.
Employees with out-of-normal range assessment results are urged to seek further follow up with a health professional.
Participation-based rewards are part of a package of customized incentives solutions. For example, walking programs are part of the process with employees wearing “ActiPeds” (pedometers) to measure steps as they run or bike during lunch hours, participate in the events such as the Susan G. Koman Breast Cancer Walk, or exercise on their own.
The ActiPeds automatically upload employee steps to the employee’s Healthyroads on-line account. Antennas were installed in the company’s production areas to allow non-computer users to participate as well.
A new “Go Green with Your Routine” step challenge, requiring 150,000 steps in four weeks, rewards achievers with a $25 gift card upon completion and enters them in a raffle worth $500 in prizes. Trinchero also offers employees membership discounts at five health clubs.
“This time of year our Holiday Holdout program urges everyone to ‘Maintain, Don’t Gain’ when it comes to weight management,” said Linda Hansen, senior human resources manager.
“Taken together, the programs, incentives, resources, challenges and health fairs encourage employees to live healthier and more productive lives, while contributing to the success of Trinchero Family Estates,” she said.
Collectively, these efforts resulted in some dramatic success stories.
"With the Trinchero Family Estate’s wellness program and the support of Healthyroads, I was able to stay focused and lost 20 lbs within two months," said Bret Palmer, IT technical support coordinator.
“We are committed to supporting and encouraging preventative care as a core value of our organization,” Mr. Torres said.
