A Napa County judge rejected Hoopes Vineyard's contention that Napa County's rules on wine tastings, public winery tours, etc., are vague and unevenly applied.

Hoopes, a family owned vineyard was also ordered to pay Napa County $3.96 million, including $2.25  million in legal fees and $1.52 million in civil penalties. The judge also ordered the winery to stop:

• all tasting of wines by anyone other than defendants or employees;
• all public tours
• all marketing activities
• selling any wines not produced on the property as well as merchandise such as books, ceramic bowls, soaps and tote bags. 

Napa County had sued Hoopes for public nuisance and unfair business practices, alleging the winery didn't comply with the terms of its county peremit. Among the alleged violations: unpermitted wine tastings, marketing events and an animal sanctuary.

The county maintained Hoopes knew about the limitations on the use of the property when it purchased the facility, but when it found that upgrrading the property to obtain a permit would have cost $500,000 to $1 million, abandoned plans for upgrades because they were "cost prohibitive."

A decision on an appeal hadn't been reached by posting time.