Court rules on "Napa"

Wines & Vines, Feb, 2003

Napa wineries are up in arms over a Dec. 18 court decision that allows Bronco Wine Company to continue marketing its long-established Napa Ridge, Napa Creek Winery and Rutherford Vintners brands, even if no Napa grapes are used to make the wines.

The decision permits Bronco to use the term "Napa" and related names on its labels, as long as the true source of the grapes is also prominently featured.

The ruling was a major disappointment for the Napa Valley Vintners Association (NVVA), a respondent in the suit. NYVA previously battled Bronco in 2000, when the organization backed a California law ruling that brand names containing the word "Napa" must contain at least 75% Napa grapes. In response, Bronco filed suit and blocked enforcement of the law.

This time around, the court ruled that the state law is preempted by federal law, and therefore is not valid.

In a statement issued by NVVA, the organization stated: "We disagree with the court's ruling on preemption. There are many examples of state alcoholic beverage labeling laws which supplement federal regulations. Vintners regularly comply with both. In addition, the state law is fully consistent with the fundamental purpose of federal law, which is to prohibit labels that mislead the consumer."

NVVA argues that, in addition to misleading consumers, allowing a generic use of the word is harmful to Napa's reputation as a premium wine-producing region.

The association is considering an appeal to the California State Supreme Court.