Compliance & Liability
California agriculture is one of the most heavily regulated industries in the country. Vineyard owners today face significant liability exposure related to labor practices, contractor relationships, and compliance failures.
Hiring low-cost or poorly structured contractors does not reduce risk — it often transfers liability directly to the grower.
JOINT EMPLOYER LIABILITY:
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Wage and hour violations
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Overtime and meal/rest violations
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Workers’ compensation failures
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Safety violations
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Unlawful employment practices
The California joint employer statute has strengthened enforcement authority, making “cheap labor” one of the highest-risk decisions a grower can make.
Under California law, vineyard owners can be held jointly liable for labor violations committed by contractors operating on their property. This includes:
RISKS OF NON-PROFESSIONAL CONTRACTORS
The True Cost of Cheap Labor.
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Regulatory fines and back wages
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Civil litigation exposure
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Stop-work orders
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Loss of operational continuity
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Reputational damage
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Increased insurance scrutiny
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Many violations surface months or years after work is completed — long after savings disappear.
Why partner with Heritage:
Professional Execution Reduces Risk
Heritage Vineyard Management is built to operate inside California’s regulatory framework — not around it.
We provide:
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Structured workforce programs
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Documented compliance systems
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Trained supervision and accountability
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Transparent operational controls
Our role is not just to farm — it is to protect the vineyard owner’s operation, assets, and future viability.