Wine Spectator: Sonoma County Sues Winemaker Paul Hobbs

Winemaker Paul Hobbs is facing a lawsuit by Sonoma County officials that could potentially cost him millions of dollars, Wine Spectator reports.

The Sonoma County District Attorney filed a civil suit against Hobbs over what the DA’s office says are environmental violations over his development of three vineyard sites dating back to 2011. The suit, filed in late May, contends that Hobbs and his company “recklessly and carelessly” violated local and state environmental regulations by removing trees and waterway vegetation without proper permits or authorization. All three sites are located in West Sonoma County, not far from the globetrotting winemaker’s Sebastopol winery.

Hobbs’ spokesman Christopher O’Gorman said in a statement, “We believe the district attorney’s charges and wildly inflated civil penalties reported in the press are misleading the public, as we have an excellent record of preserving and protecting the environment.” Hobbs’ lawyers have filed a motion to strike the suit. A hearing is set for Oct. 22.

Tagged : Sonoma, wine, Wine Spectator

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