SCOTTSDALE PROGRESS | WWW.SCOTTSDALE.ORG | JUNE 28, 2020
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Tariffs threaten wine industry, experts warn BY KRISTINE CANNON Progress Staff Writer
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he wine industry as we know it is in danger, experts fear. Last fall, the Trump administration levied a 25 percent tariff on wine imported from France, Spain, England, and Germany – a tax that U.S.-owned importers, distributors and retailers and not European companies have to pay. And this fall, that tariff could increase to 100 percent – prompting Ben Aneff, president of the U.S. Wine Trade Alliance and managing director of New-York based retail wine store Tribeca Wine Merchants to make a dire prediction. Calling the prospect “the greatest threat to the wine industry since Prohibition,” Abrams warned: “Without a doubt, if you put a 100 percent tariff on all imported wines, it would cause a staggering, cascading number of job losses across the U.S. wine industry. Added Elizabeth Gerlach, general man-
Todd Sawyer is the owner of Atlas Bistro, a BYOB restaurant with an attached wine shop called Arizona Wine Company, in Scottsdale. He is just one of many wine business owners impacted by the 25 percent wine tariff passed in the fall. (Pablo Robles/ Progress Staff Photographer)
ager of Chandler-based wine and spirits purveyor, Quench Fine Wines: “The entire wine industry would be at risk.”
“The impact of a 100 percent tariff would be devastating to the wine industry, resulting in loss of jobs, folding of
companies and a combination of higher prices and less of a selection to consumers,” Gerlach said. Quench’s business is made up of roughly 70 percent imports, so their business would be “severely threatened,” she added. Both Shepherd and Todd Sawyer, owner of Scottsdale wine shop AZ Wine Company – which is attached to his BYOB restaurant, Atlas Bistro – are already feeling the effects of the 25 percent tariff, including increased wine prices. About 40 percent of the wines sold at AZ Wine Company are imported from France, Spain, England, and Germany. “These are really key products for us. Consumers demand them,” Aneff said. “You couldn’t pick a worst time to do it, in the midst of this COVID-19 pandemic, when these companies are absolutely reeling.” During the first month since the 25 per-
see TARIFFS page 24
Two win big as Spencer’s 4 millionth customers BY ANNIKA TOMLIN Progress Staff Writer
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wo Spencer’s TV & Appliance customers were awarded major shopping sprees at its original location in Mesa recently. Patti Everts of Scottsdale and Richard Holmes of Peoria each won $10,000 to spend at the store for being its 4 millionth transaction. John Polainer, the Scottsdale location’s general manager, gave them certificates. He also served as the salesperson who sold Everts her appliances at the Scottsdale store. Everts’ prize-winning trip was her first visit to Spencer’s.
Scottsdale Spencer’s TV & Appliances General Manager John Polainer, center, awards the 4 millionth transaction winners Richard Holmes, left, and Patti Everts, right. (Annika Tomlin/Progress Staff)
“I bought a whole new kitchen,” Everts said gleefully. “I bought everything that a kitchen should be—a washer and dryer, refrigerator, microwave and dishwasher, the whole kitchen.” Everts said she’s never won anything like this. At first, she thought she thought the phone call from Spencer’s was a trick. “I received a phone call in the afternoon, and I thought I was punked; I really did,” Everts said matter of factly. “I didn’t know the person calling me. I didn’t recognize the number on my cellphone. I was trying to be excited
see SPENCERS page 24
