Business Wars Gallo: Godfathers of Wine | The Grapes of Wrath | 5
Oct 19, 2020
In the tumultuous 1960s, the Gallo brothers face threats from the Chicago mob as they struggle for wine market dominance. Familial tensions rise, pushing Joe Jr. out of the family business amid the chaos of the Vietnam War. Simultaneously, a fierce labor battle brews as Cesar Chavez's United Farmworkers challenge the company's practices. The Gallo family grapples with the weight of legacy and the moral implications of their corporate decisions in the face of growing activism. A gripping saga of power, betrayal, and social justice unfolds.
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Thunderbird Incident
- Ernest and Julio Gallo discovered a photo of a dead man clutching Thunderbird, their best-selling wine.
- This incident, potentially mob-related, highlighted the risks of their aggressive Midwest expansion.
Airport Meeting
- Ernest Gallo held a meeting at Midway Airport with distributors, raising suspicions about his safety.
- Rumors circulated about a contract on his life after a dispute with a former distributor, Joey Fusco.
Joe Jr.'s Lawsuit
- Ernest pressured Joe Jr. to sell his glass company shares for a low price to protect the family business.
- Joe Jr., with his ex-wife, sued and won, revealing Ernest's attempt to underpay him significantly.