About our Service Charge
To help ensure an equitable work environment for all of our team members we have implemented a service charge. This charge goes directly to the company and helps fund competitive pay and benefits.
We recognize that we serve generous people in a luxury market so the last thing we want is to have this charge leave you feeling frustrated so I’ve done my best to explain the rationale below. However, it is most important that you know that if you feel uncomfortable with this charge for any reason ~ we are happy to refund it for you because it is not something that we want to be forcing on guests rather a means of helping to compensate a number of people on our team who are unable to retain any portion of the tips due to state law.
Below is a brief explanation of how the charge is calculated.
Due to the limitations of our software program (Wine Direct) we were unable to allocate a straight percentage to each charge instead we have built out a staggering metric. The charges increase in $5 increments. This range begins with any charge of $20 or more and ends with a maximum service fee of $21. Each rate increase begins at 4% and ends at 7% before it moves to the next rate.
Provide examples:
We understand that guests are also adjusting to the new world of service charges. Rather than add a large service charge like many businesses have done we have chosen to keep our rate low so that if guests wish to voluntarily add an additional tip for those who served them they can also do without exceeding the median tipping metric.
The entirety of the service charge is retained by the company.
Additional gratuities for exceptional service are greatly appreciated by the Tasting Room Teams.
Please note that if you feel uncomfortable with this service charge for any reason, please let us know and a manager can remove the charge or issue a refund.
We appreciate your support!
As part of ANC’s commitment to creating a fair and equitable workplace for everyone on our team: from the vineyard crew who carefully prunes the vines, to the cellar crews who meticulously tend the wines; to the tasting room team member who delivers an exceptional experience and everyone behind the scenes facilitating each of those roles.
FAQ’S
Why don’t we raise our prices instead of adding a service charge?
We have found our guests prefer to voluntarily tip
servers & bartenders. Raising prices sufficiently to achieve our goal
of equitable wages to all staff, results in a larger cost to guests.
Example #1: Food and beverage sales priced at $100 are raised to
$110, to allow for higher wages to all non-tipped employees.
The guest voluntarily tips on $110, resulting in a total cost of $132 (assuming a 20% tip)
Example #2: Food and beverage sales remain at $100 and a
$6 service charge is included in the sale. It is now customary to tip on the $100 sale,
rather than $106, as our servers and bartenders now retain 100% of all voluntary tips.
The total cost to our guest is $126 (assuming a 20% tip)
We appreciate your patronage and support of local wineries!