Family winery appeals Napa County’s multimillion dollar fine
February 11, 2026
Napa, California; February 11, 2026: A family-owned winery filed a motion today asking a court to vacate a judgment requiring the winery to pay nearly $4 million to Napa County as punishment for routine business activity. Lindsay Hoopes, proprietor 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, with hopes of continuing a family legacy. In 2017, she expanded by purchasing Hopper Creek Winery, which operated under a long-standing Small Winery Exemption. SWEs routinely host tastings under this exemption, and Hoopes obtained all required licenses and approvals. Despite this, the County abruptly reversed course and labeled her already authorized 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 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.
Pacific Legal Foundation represents Hoopes Vineyard free of charge. The case is Napa County et al. v. Hoopes Vineyard LLC, et al.
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About Pacific Legal Foundation
Pacific Legal Foundation is a national nonprofit law firm that defends Americans threatened by government overreach and abuse. Since our founding in 1973, we challenge the government when it violates individual liberty and constitutional rights. With active cases in 34 states plus Washington, D.C., PLF represents clients in state and federal courts, with 18 wins of 20 cases litigated at the U.S. Supreme Court.