2 More Wineries Seek to Join Hoopes Vineyard Suit Against Napa County

Two more wineries – Thomson Vineyards and Okell Hill Vineyard – are seeking to join the lawsuit originally filed Hoopes Vineyard LLC, Summit Lake Vineyards & Winery LLC, and Cook’s Flat Associates (doing business as Smith-Madrone Vineyards & Winery) against Napa County.

The complaint raises claims under the First Amendment, the Due Process and Equal Protection Clauses of the Fourteenth Amendment, the Takings Clause of the Fifth Amendment, the Dormant Commerce Clause, and California state law.

If granted, the motion would add Thomson Vineyards and Okell Hill Vineyards, both of which are pursuing winery development and permitting in Napa County, as plaintiffs asserting claims arising from their own interactions with the County’s land-use and code-enforcement processes related to their existing vineyards and well as their future winery operations.

A hearing on the motion is set for Nov. 20. Plaintiffs are represented by the law firm Miller Canfield which has successfully litigated similar lawsuits across the country.