Recent Articles

Tasting Rooms Not Restaurants Says California Appeals Court

Jake W. Storms
March 15, 2012 16:45

In a recent 3-0 decision, a California Appeals Court sided with Freemark Abbey Winery in its attempt to move its wine store and tasting room into a building in St. Helena which already contained a restaurant. The decision reversed the district courts granting of a preliminary injunction which would...

Stoel Rives Holds California Wine Seminar

Jake W. Storms
March 12, 2012 21:02

On March 8 and 9, Stoel Rives cosponsored, with Kennedy/Jenks Consultants, the 6th Annual Best Practices for Owning and Operating a Winery, held in Napa, CA. The well attended event covered such topics as valuation, water, energy, and branding. Stoel attorney’s Chris Hermann, John McKinsey,...

I-1183 Challenge Update

Stephanie Meier
March 12, 2012 17:57

By Hunter O. Ferguson, Stoel Rives With a little more than two months remaining before I-1183 is scheduled to take full effect on June 1, 2012, the implementation of the initiative will turn on whether the Cowlitz County Superior Court concludes that section 302 of the initiative cannot be severed...

"At Rest" Proposal for New York

Elaine Albrich
March 09, 2012 20:52

There is a proposed bill pending before the New York Senate, S2473-2011 that would require, under certain circumstances, out-of-state shipments of alcohol into New York to be stored in-state for at least 48 hours at a licensed New York storage facility before being distributed to New York...

Site Visit to Heater Allen

Elaine Albrich
March 06, 2012 22:02

On February 16th, Stoel Rives LLP held its 5th Annual Law of Wine Seminar at The Allison in Newberg. The seminar focused on the trends and developments in the wine industry as well as touched on issues facing the distilled spirits and brewery industries. After presenting at the seminar, three Stoel...

Oregon HB 4121: Another Round of Legislation Related to Wineries on Agricultural Lands

Elaine Albrich
February 14, 2012 21:29

Oregon House Bill (“HB”) 4121 expands the basis for allowing wineries to be sited on land zoned Exclusive Farm Use (“EFU”). The bill, in addition to vineyards, would allow wineries to qualify as permitted uses under ORS 215.452 if 15 or 40 acres of land was used to cultivate...

Big Developments in the Washington Wine Industry

Stephanie Meier
February 09, 2012 17:11

The Washington State Wine Commission hired Steve Warner as the new Executive Director. For more information on Mr. Warner’s background, and the unanimous support by the Washington wine industry, read the WSWC press release here, and the WAWGG press release here.  In other news, the...

Washington Wine, Beer & Distilleries Law Seminar - March 15, 2012

Susan Johnson
February 08, 2012 18:51

Please join us for our inaugural Washington Winery, Brewery & Distillery law seminar at the Columbia Winery in Woodinville, Washington on Thursday, March 15. Panels to include these hot topics, plus much more: Privatization/I-1183 Trademarks Employment Laws Tasting Room...

Idaho Wine, Beer & Distilleries Law Seminar - Thursday, March 1, 2012

February 08, 2012 18:43

Please join us for our inaugural Idaho Wine, Beer & Distillers law seminar at the Boise Centre in Boise, ID on Thursday, March 1, 2012. Panels to include these hot topics, plus much more: Start-ups (licensing, permitting and business formation) Trademarks (protecting your investment) ...

5th Annual Oregon Wine Law Seminar - February 16, 2012

Elaine Albrich
February 08, 2012 18:40

Please join us for our 5th Annual Oregon Wine Law Seminar at the Allison Inn and Spa in Newberg, Oregon on Thursday, February 16. Topics and panels include start-ups, trademark registration, employment, privatization of OLCC liquor sales, land use and a panel discussion on alternating premises...