Last week, San Antonio Express News reported that a California-based winery named San Antonio Winery brought a trademark suit against a San Antonio-based winery called Lara Vineyard. In its complaint, San Antonio Winery alleged that Lara Vineyard’s use of the term “San Antonio” as a fanciful name on its labels infringed upon…
Tag: California
Seattle Winery Forced to Change Name After Cease and Desist Letter from Jackson Family Wines
Last week, Komo News reported that a Seattle-based winery, Bartholomew Winery, was forced to change the name of one of its wine brands after receiving a cease and desist letter from Jackson Family Wines. See Seattle Winery Forced to Change Name, Label After Cease-and-Desist. The wine brand, Jaxon, is reportedly named after the son of…
A Sight To See: Somerston Estate in Napa Valley
Last week I had the long overdue pleasure of spending some time in Napa Valley. It was a short trip but a special one. And well-timed too, with much of the North East covered in snow and slush. Special thanks to Somerston Estate in St. Helena and brand Ambassador Ben Brenner for…
Hillside Select: Napa Vintner Sues Angwin Winery Over Name
Napa Valley vintner Shafer Vineyards recently filed suit against Angwin, California winery owner, Mike Beatty (doing business as Howell Mountains Vineyards) for use of the term Hillside Select on its wine. Shafer Vineyards—who according to the USPTO database registered the mark Hillside Select in January 1990—alleges Mr. Beatty used the Napa Valley vintner’s registered…
Upcoming Seminars and Opportunities in Wine Law
Two exciting opportunities in wine law are scheduled for the next few months. The first is the Wine and Spirits Law Academy at UC Davis on September 8th, 9th, and 10th. Wine and spirits legal experts from around the world will convene for a three-day conference to discuss topics including global wine and…
San Antonio Winery Obtains Injunction Against Constellation Brands in Trademark Litigation Suit
The San Antonio Winery recently obtained a preliminary injunction against Constellation Brands. On March 11, 2014, Judge John Kronstadt of the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California ruled that Constellation’s Rosatello brand was too similar to the Stella Rosa wine of San Antonio Winery. See San Antonio Winery Earns Victory…
Jamieson Vineyards Takes On Pernod Ricard’s Irish Distillers
On February 27, 2014, the Napa Valley-based vineyard Madison Vineyard Holdings, LLC, the owner of Jamieson Ranch, filed a complaint against Pernod Ricard’s Irish Distillers Limited, owner of the renowned Jameson Irish Whiskey, in the United States District Court Northern District of California. See Madison Vineyard Holdings, LLC vs. Irish Distillers Limited. The…
Napa Valley Duckhorn Wine Co. Sues Duck Commander Wine, Alleging Trademark Infringement
A few months ago, On Reserve reported about Napa Valley’s Duckhorn Wine Co. and its suit against Long Island-based Duck Walk Vineyards. See Duckhorn Wine Co. Files a Complaint Against Duck Walk Vineyards Alleging Consumer Confusion on Wine Labels. We were a bit skeptical as to the argument for consumer confusion for…
18th Annual National Conference for Wine, Beer & Spirits Law in San Diego this September
Continuing Legal Education (“CLE”) International is hosting its 18th annual national conference on wine, beer, and spirits law. “For the past 17 years, this program has brought together the premier in-house counsel, private attorneys, regulators, retailers, wholesalers, distributors, vintners, and others involved in the alcohol beverage industry. This year will…
Napa Valley Receives Geographical Indication Status in Brazil
Recently, Napa Valley Vintners Association (“NVVA”) announced that Brazil has formerly recognized that Napa Valley is of Geographical Indication (“GI”) status. Brazil will now protect Napa Valley from misuse of the wine region’s name within Brazil’s borders. (See Napa Valley Vintners Announce GI Status Approval in Brazil.) The news was announced…