Federal appeals court reverses dismissal of some claims against Napa County in Hoopes Vineyard case
By EDWARD BOOTH | pressdemocrat.com | PUBLISHED: April 14, 2026 |
A federal lawsuit filed by Hoopes Vineyard and two other small wineries challenging Napa County land use rules is back on, after an appeals court this week reversed an earlier dismissal of some claims from the wineries.
The federal lawsuit — filed by Hoopes, Summit Lake Vineyards & Winery and Cook’s Flat Associates (Smith-Madrone Winery) in September 2024 — sought to block county enforcement efforts, alleging the county’s local policies and ordinances violated the wineries’ constitutional rights.
U.S. District Judge Charles Breyer dismissed parts of the lawsuit that aimed to block county enforcement efforts in March 2025, saying those claims couldn’t proceed while a still-active state court case proceeds.
But a panel of three judges at the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in a memorandum issued Monday, April 13 — after hearing arguments from attorneys March 10 — said the lower court erred by not hearing claims from the three wineries alleging that Napa County had retaliated against them and violated their First Amendment rights. The panel reversed that decision, sending the question back to the district court.
The federal appeals court also reversed the district court’s prior dismissal of a challenge from Smith-Madrone and Summit Lake against the legality of Napa County winery regulations. And the court affirmed a decision to pause a Hoopes challenge to the legality of those ordinances while the state case proceeds. The Hoopes claim for financial damages remains open.
Overall, the appeals court decision means the claims from Summit Lake and Smith-Madrone will return to the district court along with the Hoopes retaliation claim.
The case represents another front in the yearslong dispute between Hoopes and county officials over permitting. On a more local level, Hoopes is grappling with a currently paused Napa County Superior Court judgement, finalized in January following a 2024 trial, that requires the winery to pay nearly $4 million in fines and legal fees.
Enforcement of that judgement — which also required a permanent injunction barring public wine tastings and tours at the winery — is currently stayed while the state’s 1st District Court of Appeal considers an argument that the fees are unconstitutional and should be overturned.
You can reach Staff Writer Edward Booth at 707-521-5281 or [email protected].
