Napa County has won a key compliance case against Yountville-area winery Hoopes Vineyard, securing a court ruling that the winery operated outside of its license.

Judge Mark Boessenecker officially sided with the county, finding that Hoopes conducted tastings and tours without required authorization, violating county regulations regarding small wineries, according to a press release issued Wednesday.

The dispute stems from claims that Hoopes Vineyard skirted permit requirements for several years, despite Napa’s repeated requests for compliance. The county filed the lawsuit in October 2022.

The court noted that Hoopes, aware of permit limitations when purchasing the property, continued the tastings and tours in violation of local laws.

“Napa County is committed to a fair and efficient wine permit process,” said Brian Bordona, director of planning, building and environmental services for the county. “This decision is the culmination of many years of code enforcement efforts by the County to bring Hoopes into compliance, beginning with a request for voluntary compliance.

“This is an important step in upholding the integrity of our county codes, ensuring public health, safety and fair business practices.”

However, Lindsay Hoopes said Boessenecker’s ruling was pending the resolution of a related issue in county court.

“There will be no final judgment until the cross-complaint has been heard,” Hoopes said.

Hoopes filed the cross-complaint, which involves two other parties and actions of the winery, and is undergoing a jury trial, and hearings on it could take place as early as April.

And Hoopes stressed that the county’s zoning record has no bearing on federal case filed last fallwhose assertions parallel those that have found traction elsewhere with favorable decisions.

“The federal claims have all been in favor of Michigan wineries,” Hoopes said, saying his claims in federal court were stronger than the county’s in superior court.

The first substantive hearing in the federal case could take place as early as February, Hoopes said. The county was granted an extension to respond to the federal complaint.

Hoopes hopes that the presiding federal judge, Charles Breyer of the Northern District of California, will likely review the case on its merits rather than dismiss it from the start.

The latest official decision from the county follows an 11-day trial earlier this yearwhere Napa County argued that Hoopes’ actions violated fair business practices, with most other wineries following licensing rules.

The county is now seeking sanctions and legal fees from Hoopes, with potential fines tied to the owner’s net worth.

While Hoopes sued Napa County for violating due process, the recent ruling underscores Napa’s commitment to upholding its wine regulations, aimed at protecting public health, safety and local agriculture, according to the county.

Hoopes teamed up in September with Summit Lake Vineyards & Winery LLC and Cook’s Flat Associates (Smith-Madrone Winery) to sue the county in federal court. This case is still pending.