Napa Valley: Vineyard manager sued over grape dispute

(NVR) - A winery is suing its vineyard manager for allegedly transporting grapes to the manager’s own winery on the Silverado Trail instead of the plaintiff’s ranch, according to a complaint filed in Napa County Superior Court.

In a lawsuit filed Dec. 23 in Napa County Superior Court, Del Dotto Vineyards alleges vineyard manager Hill Wine Company LLC ordered employees on Oct. 17 to deliver 12 bins of grapes — about 6 tons — to Hill’s winery instead of Del Dotto and Fleury Vineyards.

According to the suit, the grapes were delivered from Howell Mountain vineyards, and the grapes allegedly belonged to Del Dotto and Fleury, a business partner. Hill Wine Company, owned by Jeff Hill, is not affiliated with Hill Family Estate of Yountville.

Napa Valley Capital Partners LLC, the business entity that includes Fleury and Del Dotto, makes the same allegations in a separate lawsuit, also filed on Dec. 23 in Napa County Superior Court. To date, plaintiffs Del Dotto and Fleury Vineyards have been unable to prepare the grapes for winemaking, the lawsuit alleges.

“These grapes belonged to Plaintiff and to Plaintiffs’ business partners, Napa Valley Capital Partners LLC and Fleury Vineyards, LLC. Defendants took possession of these grapes wrongfully and without Plaintiffs’ consent,” according to the complaint filed by Del Dotto Vineyards.