Wine Industry Law

California wineries and vineyards are ranked among the best in the world, and their legal representation has to match. Buchalter takes a solid business approach to working with its varied winery clientele, counseling them on the legal issues that affect their businesses.

Business formation, tax planning, licensing, distribution agreements and succession are routinely handled by our Corporate lawyers, who represent wineries and vineyards in a range of business planning and operation matters.

Our Real Estate and Land Use attorneys are experts in land acquisition, permitting, zoning, environmental, regulatory and water issues, essential to vineyards and wineries.

Our Bank and Finance practice has deep expertise in handling financing transactions in connection with winery and vineyard operations, including acquisition loans, crop and working capital lines of credit, equipment loans, and real estate loans.

Trademarks and patents are vital assets of any winery. Buchalter Intellectual Property attorneys are well-versed in U.S. and international trademark and patent laws.

Our Labor and Employment attorneys ensure that employment policies and procedures are properly in place and communicated to employees, to establish a safe and productive working environment.

Buchalter Insolvency and Financial Solutions attorneys have helped numerous wineries with restructuring, workouts and asset liquidation.

Buchalter Litigation attorneys have helped winery and vineyard owners protect their assets in a competitive environment.

Representative Matters

  • Represented the Sunstone Winery in its effort to work out obligations due under a supply agreement
  • Represented Lyeth, Laurier, Mazocco and Jekel Wineries in their joint chapter 11 filings in Santa Rosa
  • Represented Comerica Bank in the sale, via foreclosure, of Greenfield Wine Company as a going concern to Vintage Wine Estates
  • Represented Comerica as a creditor in the bankruptcy case of Michael Hat in which we sold the collateral to Gallo Winery
  • Represented two wineries (confidential) in distressed sales
  • Represented Wells Fargo Business Credit, senior secured creditor, in the chapter 11 restructuring of De Loach Vineyards
  • Cradle to grave representation in financing operations of winery and vineyard (confidential), as well as the workout and final disposition of assets
  • Cradle to grave representation in financing of operations of large wine retailer (confidential) as well as workout and liquidation of assets