Practices

Wine Law

Overview
Representative Matters
Clients
Related Content

Overview

DP&F has a long history of advising vineyard and winery owners in all aspects of wine law, including vineyard and winery acquisitions; land use planning, grape purchase agreements and vineyard leases; state and federal licensing; distribution and export agreements; intellectual property protection; and estate planning for vineyard and winery owners. In addition, DP&F attorneys have successfully represented a number of organizations seeking AVA designation, and most recently helped Paso Robles winegrowers with their petition for eleven new sub-AVAs.

DP&F’s wine law attorneys understand the complex legal and regulatory hurdles facing wine industry and are dedicated to our clients’ continued growth and success. The firm’s attorneys demonstrate this by advising some of the most forward thinking industry organizations, including the Napa Valley Vintners, Sonoma County Vintners, and the American Wine Consumer Coalition.

Our wine law practice has a global perspective, and we have represented multiple non-U.S. wineries in acquisitions, trademark disputes, and wine law related litigation. For example, DP&F represented Australia’s Accolade Wines in its purchase of multiple well-recognized U.S. wine brands in 2012.

Representative Matters

Representation of numerous wineries in obtaining federal and state permits and licenses, trademark protection, distribution and export agreements.

Represented Accolade Wines North America, Inc. in its acquisition of Geyser Peak, Atlas Peak and XYZin brands and inventory from Ascentia Wine Estate, LLC.

Successfully petitioned for establishment of American Viticultural Areas to Alcohol, Tobacco, Tax & Trade Bureau, including representation of comprehensive appellation system for the Paso Robles wine region encompassing eleven sub-appellations nested within the greater Paso Robles American Viticultural Area (AVA).

Represent Napa Valley Vintners in worldwide protection of the Napa name, including development and execution of an international protection strategy for the Napa Valley geographical indication.

In coordination with European counsel, represented U.S. wine trade association in acquiring first registration of non-European geographical indication for wine issued by the European Commission; manages worldwide policing and protection for such geographical indication.

Obtained registration with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) on behalf of Lodi Winegrape Commission for geographical certification mark for LODI RULES for wine and wine grapes produced within the Lodi appellation pursuant to sustainable farming practices established by the Commission.

Clients

Our wine law clients include: