John Trinidad
Partner
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Biography
John Trinidad is a co-managing partner of DP&F, and is a partner in the firm’s Wine Law, Business, Alcohol Beverage, and Geographical Indications practice groups. John advises wine and alcohol beverage industry clients on a broad range of legal issues, including business formation, obtaining alcohol beverage licenses, and the drafting of key contracts, such as grape purchase agreements, vineyard leases, and distribution contracts, and the purchase and sale of winery brands and assets. John also advises clients on federal and state alcohol beverage regulations such as franchise laws, tied-house laws, labeling requirements, and the protection and promotion of American Viticultural Areas.
John is a graduate of Harvard College and the New York University School of Law. In 2017-2018, John co-taught wine law classes the University of California Davis School of Law and Napa Valley College. He is also a lecturer on a variety of wine law issues at the University of California Berkeley School of Law and the University of California Davis School of Law.
John is an avid photographer, and his photographs of vineyards, wineries, and producers were recently published in a book on the history of the Champagne region, But First, Champagne.
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Education
- J.D., New York University School of Law (2004)
- B.A., Harvard College (cum laude, 1998)
Additional Coursework
- Univeristé de Reims, Wine Law Program (2012)
- Culinary Institute of America (Napa), Wine Business Class (March 2011)
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Writings
- “Clearing Legal Hurdles: Entering the U.S. Wine Market ,” in Global Wine Regulation (co-authored with Richard Mendelson)
Link to Publisher Website - “Why Producers Hate Franchise Laws (and why Consumers Should Care),” Practical Winery & Vineyard, forthcoming – October 2015
- “The Napa Valley Wine Market,” Académie Amorim, forthcoming
- “How Well Do You Know Legal Regulations for Winery Social Media?” WineBusiness.com (co-authored with Liz Thach, MW), April 6, 2015 – View Article
- “Launching a New Wine Brand without a Winery,” Beverage Trade Network (co-authored with Katja Loeffelholz), September 2014 – View Article
- “Avoiding Label Approval Issues,” Wine Business Monthly (co-authored with Katja Loeffelholz)
March 2014 – View Article - “Why the Debate Over Nutrition Labeling Has Little to do with Nutrients,” Practical Winery & Vineyard, October 2013 – View article
- “Getting Social: Navigating Federal Regulation Governing Winery Online Marketing,” North Bay Business Journal 2013 Legal & Accounting Guide,
August 2013 – View Article - “Using Third Party Providers to Grow Wine Sales,” Practical Winery & Vineyard,
June 2013 – View Article
- “Clearing Legal Hurdles: Entering the U.S. Wine Market ,” in Global Wine Regulation (co-authored with Richard Mendelson)
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Presentations
- Presenter, “Out-of-State Compliance: Legal Requirements for Shipping Out of State,” UC Davis Extension – Out-of-State Compliance April 21, 2017
- Co-Presenter, “Philosophies of Regulation: Who can sell wine and how?” Organisation Internationale de la Vigne et du Vin (OIV) Wine Marketing Program at University of California, Davis Extension
July 21, 2015 - Moderator, “Social Media Compliance” ShipCompliant DIRECT 2015 Direct-to-Consumer Wine Conference
May 29, 2015 - Program Co-Chair, “Best Practices in Winery Operations,” The Seminar Group Wine Law Conference
March 19-20, 2015 - Presenter, “Innovation Clusters: Attracting and Retaining Winegrowing Talent,” The Seminar Group Wine Law Conference
March 19-20, 2015 - Moderator, “Regulatory Hurdles for DTC, Social Media and Third Party Sales Channels,” 2015 Unified Wine & Grape Symposium
January 28, 2015 - Presenter, “Cans, Kegs & Growlers: Alternative Wine Packaging,” 2014 CEB Wine Law Forum: Facing Change, Finding Alternatives,
November 2014 - Guest Lecturer, “Marijuana Legalization: Looking Forward, Looking Back,” University of California-Berkeley School of Law
October 2014 - Panelist, “Digital & Social Media: The Opportunities and Pitfalls of New Media and Technology,” Direct-to-Consumer Wine Sales Conference,
September 12, 2014 - Panelist, Wine & Spirits Law Academy, University of California-Davis / Université de Reims Wine & Law Program,
September 8, 2014 - Guest Speaker, University of California-Davis School of Law, Wine Law Society,
April 2014 - Guest Lecturer, University of California-Berkeley School of Law, Wine Law Course
October 2013 - Presenter, “The Internet and the Wine Industry,” Network Seminars Wine Industry Forum
August 23, 2013 - Co-presenter, “Accounting and Legal Update,” Wine Symposium Group Vineyard Economics Seminar,
May 23, 2013 - Guest Speaker, “The Business of Grapes: Wine-related Startups,” EFactor,
February 27, 2013
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Associations
- Member, California Bar
- Member, New York Bar
- Member, District of Columbia Bar
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Related Content
- 09/24/2021
New Laws Expand Winery Off-Site Tasting Room Privileges and Manufacturer Charitable Donation Advertising - 09/17/2021
Richard Mendelson and John Trinidad Co-Author Chapter for “La vigne, le vin et le droit/Du local au global: Mélanges en l’honneur de Robert Tinlot” - 06/25/2015
NYSLA Proposes Advisory for Trademark Licensing Agreements - 06/21/2015
Proposed Expansion of Oregon’s Willamette Valley AVA - 04/15/2015
Small Producer Tax Credit Pitfalls: The K Vintners Case - 03/15/2015
New Bill to Aid Private Equity Firms Applying for ABC License - 02/03/2015
Regulatory Hurdles for DTC, Social Media, and Third Party Sales Channels - 01/21/2015
NYSLA, Empire Wine and Due Process - 12/18/2014
States Claim Colorado Marijuana Laws are Unconstitutional - 12/01/2014
Launching New Wine Brand Without a Winery - 11/11/2014
California Tied House Laws and Social Media - 09/28/2014
Diageo and Major Brands Settle Franchise Law Dispute - 09/24/2014
21st Amendment Litigation: NY Wine Retailer Sues NYSLA - 05/20/2014
09.12.2014 – Direct to Consumer Wine Sales Conference (Napa, CA) - 05/06/2014
Loeffelholz / Trinidad on Wine Labeling Legal and IP Issues - 04/30/2014
FTC Criticizes Franchise Laws…in Automobile Industry - 03/26/2014
Tied House Laws: Alive and Kicking - 03/01/2014
TTB Proposes New Oregon AVA, Cites Wine Blogs as Support - 10/08/2013
The Internet’s Impact on Wine Law - 05/16/2013
New TTB Guidelines on Social Media and Alcohol Beverage Advertising - 08/14/2018
BON APPÉTIT MAGAZINE SHINES LIGHT ON PAY-TO-PLAY SCHEMES
- 09/24/2021