Pinko Magazine Hedonism + Activism

It’s Wednesday at midnight, so I’m drinking riesling and blogging! I had a long weekend of many adventures. If you’re in Vermont GO HERE! It’s amazing and they have all sorts of stuffed and mounted rodents and a crazy exhibit on political cartoons. Also they sell these humping dog USB drives please watch the video then go to White River Junction, Vermont and buy one.

Anyway, I’ve returned from my travels and wanted to pass on a link that my friend Margot sent about something absolutely awful … this story from California about a farmworker who died of heat exhaustion picking grapes for wine. It was more than just heat “exhaustion;” her body temperature was 108.4 when she arrived at the hospital. I won’t go into the whole thing but there are vigils, investigations, and lots of unanswered questions. There are so many things to consider already with wine (white or red? boxed or coolered?) that wondering whether or not the wine is made from grapes that are picked by brutalized undocumented workers seems like a lot, but the story moved me so I want to give it a try.

The United Farm Workers has this list of wines that are picked under union-regulated and strong working conditions. I once had an “incident” involving Columbia Crest and a bike messenger, but I’m sure there are others on the list that are okay.

Co-Op America has a good list of Organic and “socially responsible” wines, but that doesn’t necessarily mean the labor practices are fair. Still it’s a good start?

Other leads or resources? Did I miss something? Did I ruin your late-night drinking binge? SHARE!

(Related note: have you had this shit!? mmmm.)

About The Author - Ben Wyskida is a writer, activist, conscientious hedonist and political communications strategist living in Brooklyn. - Visit Ben's site.