A Napa County winery owner faces nearly $4 million in penalties after losing a two-year-long legal battle with the county over permit violations.
In Napa Valley, many wineries offer on-site tasting, but smaller ones, such as Oasis at the Hoopes Family Winery near Yountville, operate on a “Small Winery Exemption” permit that the county says does not allow tasting events.
The owner, Lindsay Hoopes, has disputed that and continues to welcome the public onto the property. So, the county took her to court to make her stop, citing illegal activities like keeping farm animals on the property, offering yoga classes and decorating with unpermitted string lights…