Pacific Legal Foundation appeals $3.96M judgment against Hoopes Vineyard in Napa County case
The Pacific Legal Foundation (PLF) is representing Hoopes Vineyard free of charge in an appeal of a recent judgment requiring the winery to pay nearly $4 million to Napa County. The Napa County Times covered this story here.
According to a press release from the foundation, Lindsay Hoopes, owner of Hoopes Family Winery Partners and Hoopes Vineyard LLC, alleges that the fines and attorney fees, “imposed for allowing guests to consume wine they could legally purchase at the winery and selling wine-related items,” violate her rights by imposing excessive and disproportionate fines.
“No family should lose everything over ordinary business activity that harms no one,” said Anastasia Boden, a senior attorney with Pacific Legal Foundation. “The Constitution promises that punishment must be fair and proportional. We’re standing up for Lindsay’s right to preserve her family’s legacy without being crushed by excessive fines.”
Hoopes took over her family’s winery, founded by her father 40 years ago. In 2017, she expanded by purchasing Hopper Creek Winery, which operated under a long-standing small winery exemption.
Wineries routinely host tastings under this exemption, and according to PLF, Hoopes obtained all required licenses and approvals. “Despite this, Napa County reversed course and labeled her operations a ‘public nuisance.’
“Instead of holding an administrative hearing, the county hired private counsel and went to court. In November 2025, the court imposed a $3,960,013.05 fine, which included millions of dollars for the county’s private attorneys.
“The exorbitant fine is so large that it exceeds the winery’s total lifetime revenue,” the PLF announcement reads. “The county also seeks to hold Lindsay personally liable, not just the business.
“The motion argues that the fines violate the Excessive Fines Clause of the U.S. and California Constitutions. A victory would protect Hoopes’ winery and help prevent governments from using crushing penalties as a revenue tool against small businesses.”
The case is Napa County et al. v. Hoopes Vineyard LLC, et al.
