This week’s wine round-up uncovers a dramatic mix of legal showdowns, corporate soap operas, and high-value heists. In Napa Valley, a sprawling groundwater lawsuit threatens to paralyze local winery approvals, adding fresh anxiety to an already burdened industry. Across the Atlantic, the battle for control of France’s massive Castel group escalates as forgery allegations surface, while Italian authorities investigate the precise theft of 3,000 bottles of premium Alta Langa sparkling wine from Banfi’s cellars. On a brighter note, New Mexico’s historic Vivac Winery is officially up for grabs, offering an extraordinary opportunity to steward Southwest winemaking legacy.
Angela Woodall, writing for Patch, reports that a lawsuit filed by the nonprofit Water Audit California against Napa County has grown from a fight over a single winery approval into a broad attack on how the county does planning, groundwater management and development review altogether. Don’t even try to open or run a winery in Napa, you are attacked from all sides.
From the article:
The complaint accuses the county of negligent breach of trustee duties and challenges how officials evaluate groundwater impacts from vineyards, wineries, and rural development.
According to the lawsuit, Napa County approved development without adequately understanding available groundwater supplies, failed to sufficiently monitor groundwater extraction, ignored evidence that pumping reduced summer flows in the Napa River, and did not provide the public with enough information about the effects of well permits and land-use decisions.
Water Audit California filed another lawsuit seeking to overturn Napa County’s approval of Bonny’s Vineyard winery in the unincorporated town of Oakville, arguing groundwater pumping associated with the project could reduce flows in Conn Creek and harm fish habitat.
Exciting stuff. If the county isn’t after you, a self-proclaimed watchdog group will get you.
Oliver Styles, writing for Wine-Searcher, catches up on what the French regional paper Sud-Ouest has taken to calling the Castel soap opera. The battle for control of the Castel drinks empire pits 
designated successor and overall boss Grégory Clerc against the extended Castel family, and it has escalated. Founder Pierre Castel’s daughter Romy is now under investigation by Swiss authorities, accused of creating a bogus power of attorney by falsifying her father’s signature. She denies the charges.
From the article:
This follows on from earlier headlines generated this week by French business weekly Challenges, which revealed that, at an AGM for the company’s wine arm, Castel Vins, in Bordeaux last month, both Romy – Castel’s only daughter – and Alain Castel, her cousin, were dropped from the board of directors. Commentators expect Alain Castel to subsequently lose his CEO position at Castel Vins.
“This dramatic turn of events follows repeated calls by Romy Castel, 52, for the removal of the leading European wine group’s CEO,” said the publication.
Amelie Maurice-Jones, writing for The Drinks Business, reports that more than 3,000 bottles (that’s 250 cases) of premium sparkling wine were taken from Banfi’s cellar in Strevi, in the Piedmont province of Alessandria. The estimated value runs into the hundreds of thousands of euros.
A Banfi representative told Il Sole 24 Ore that the theft of entire pallets suggested “the thieves knew exactly what they were doing,” and that they had selected with care across various Alta Langa wines.
From the article:
The company said it had invested in bottle traceability systems for several years, meaning the stolen wines could potentially be tracked throughout the supply chain.
Rodolfo Maralli told Il Sole 24 Ore that the traceability measures could prove important to the investigation and make it more difficult for the bottles to be sold through unofficial or black-market channels.
Banfi has appealed to customers, retailers and members of the wine trade to report any suspicious offers or unofficial sales of the wines to the authorities or the company.
Finally, one for the daydreamers. Vivac Winery in Dixon, New Mexico has been listed for $1.6 million, an 11.5-acre property on State Road 68 that includes roughly 11 bonded vineyard acres, a tasting room, terraced gardens, riverside picnic areas and direct access to the Rio Embudo. The historical footnote here is a good one: New Mexico’s winemaking heritage dates to the early 1600s, which means it predates every major American wine region except Virginia. Vivac has spent years making that history visible internationally, earning honors from the Berliner Wein Trophy in Germany and Mondial des Vins Extrêmes in Italy. But even with all of that, it is time to sell.
From the article:
Vivac Winery represents decades of craftsmanship, innovation, and stewardship that helped elevate New Mexico wines onto the international stage. Opportunities to acquire a winery with this level of history, recognition, and future potential are exceptionally rare.
For wine entrepreneurs, vineyard operators, hospitality investors, or those seeking to steward one of the Southwest’s most iconic wineries, Vivac presents an extraordinary chance to continue a remarkable legacy while shaping the next chapter of New Mexico wine.
Old Town Cellars – Park City, UT
Old Town Cellars is an urban winery and wine lounge on Historic Main Street in Park City, sourcing wine from established regions before blending and bottling it locally. The historic cellar setting feels relaxed and social, with private tastings, house bottlings, and a strong by-the-glass selection. We found the wines well made and approachable, with options ranging from lighter reds to more structured Cabernet-based releases. It is a good stop for visitors who want a wine-focused experience in central Park City without leaving town for a traditional vineyard visit
Robert Mondavi “The Reserve Red Blend” Bordeaux Blend 2021
To Kalon Vineyard, “The Reserve Red Blend” Bordeaux Blend 2021 is a powerful, full-bodied Napa Valley red with substantial depth and structure. Produced by Robert Mondavi Winery, it comes from the estate’s historic To Kalon Vineyard in Oakville. The wine shows blackcurrant, black cherry, cedar, espresso, and graphite, with firm tannins, generous oak, and a long finish.
Pine Cone Ridge – Park City, UT
Pine Cone Ridge serves contemporary American comfort food in a polished second-floor dining room on Park City’s historic Main Street. Chef Gudrun Thorne-Thomsen combines regional ingredients with New England and Mexican-American influences. The menu moves comfortably between seafood, meat, and vegetable-driven dishes while maintaining a clear and approachable culinary identity.
Corkage Fee: $35 Per Bottle
Corkage Fee: $25 Per Bottle / No Limit
Salt Lake City, UT
4.4 Stars with over 3736+ Reviews
The Copper Onion is a bustling, farm-to-table New American restaurant in downtown Salt Lake City known for upscale comfort foods like its signature house burger and fresh handmade pastas. It features a lively, brasserie-style atmosphere with a full bar, serving dinner nightly along with lunch and weekend brunch.