A Mexican farmworker accused her Canadian employer co-owner and former president of Desert Hills Estate Winery of sexually assaulting her in a ski chalet he owned in December 2023. At the time of publication there was not yet any charge against the individual himself, said his lawyer.

Businesss & Human Rights Resource Centre invited Desert Hills Estate Winery to respond to the allegations and concerns raised by migrant rights' advocates regarding the reportedly widespread issue of sexual abuse of migrant farmworkers. Advocates say sexual assaults are common with abusers often being employers; closed work permits restricting workers' only to work for one employer are a factor in restricting their ability to speak up about abuse. We also invited the company to disclose how it ensures such sexual abuse is prevented among farmworkers employed by the company and what processes it has in place to ensure farmworkers who experience abuse are able to report it safely, anonymously and without fear or retaliation, in line with international human rights standards. Desert Hills Estate Winery did not respond.