Family-owned winery sees spike in shipping sales during coronavirus outbreak

SANTA MARIA, Calif. - Like many family-owned wineries, Foxen Vineyard and Winery is taking a hit in its sales.

The winery's nationwide wholesale business which makes up 40 percent of its sales has essentially shut down.

"The 30 to 40 percent that would normally be sold to distributors then in
turn sold to restaurants went away immediately," said co-owner Jenny Williamson Dore with Foxen Vineyard and Winery.

Dore said shutting down the tasting room where more than 100 people would visit each week was another devastating hit to the business.

"The first week we tried to figure out how to keep our employees employed," said Dore.

While maintaining social distancing the winery has been able to continue
its production.

Jessica Dill with the winery said shipping and online sales are up 50
percent since the virus arrived in California.

"It's very busy over there. We're constantly packing and trying to get stuff
done before lunch," said Dill.

Right now Foxen workers are hard at work shipping boxes as if it's the
holidays.

"I'm super surprised and glad that we have a lot of orders going. It makes
me still have a job around this time and I'm not stuck at home. I can come and do my daily job," said Dill.

While locals are taking advantage of the winery's curbside pickup and
online orders, Dore said it's not enough to wipe out the negative impact of
the coronavirus outbreak.

But they are able to keep their staff members employed.