Vines of contention

Wines & Vines, July, 2004

Domaine Chandon, Yountville, is suing Wasco, Calif., grapevine producer Vintage Nurseries for a $71,600 deposit and unspecified punitive damages. The sparkling winemaker alleges Vintage engaged in unfair business practices with regard to a 2002 order for 56,000 grapevines that the winery then postponed for 15 months. Upon receipt of the vines in 2003, Chandon contends, half of some 350 tested vines would not grow, and more were "retarded" by the nursery's practice of hot water dipping to kill parasites. Further testing revealed the vines were infected with "black goo," according to Chandon's suit.

Vintage vigorously disputed Chandon's charges. According to a press release, Chandon contracted for custom grafted and grown vines to be delivered in spring, 2002. When Chandon postponed planting and delivery, Vintage made clear that the plants would be put in cold storage, and not replanted, as stated in its original contract, which includes a clause for mandatory arbitration. Chandon has refused to arbitrate, and owes an outstanding balance of $71,496.80, Vintage asserts.