Cal Market Enforcement Denies License To Quaking Hills, Prosecutes 2 Other Wineries

The California Department of Food and Agriculture’s Market Enforcement Branch (MEB) has denied a license to Quaking Hills Winery, initiated court action against two wineries and and begun reviewing verified grower complaints against two more vintners.

It is illegal in California to buy winegrapes without a processor’s license from tye MEB.

The following information comes from MEB records.

LICENSE DENIAL

Quaking Hills Winery Inc.
Cloverdale, California 95425
License denied on August 24, 2010

PROSECUTION UPDATES

• Jonathan M. Barber & Lorraine Shmulik dba Barber Cellars – Petaluma, CA: The Sonoma County District Attorney filed a misdemeanor complaint against Mr. Barber and Ms. Shmulik for operating without a license under the Food and Agricultural Code. Mr. Barber and Ms. Shmulik are alleged to have purchased wine grapes from producers in Sonoma County for the purpose of processing.

• Robert Lynch dba Irish Monkey Cellars – Oakland, CA: The Alameda County District Attorney filed a misdemeanor complaint against Mr. Lynch for operating without a license under the Food and Agricultural Code.  Mr. Lynch is alleged to have purchased California Farm product for the purpose of processing.

ARCADIAN, VJB GROWER COMPLAINTS INVESTIGATED

The MEB received verified complaints against the following handlers and processors of California agricultural products during August 2010.

These cases are currently under review.

• Arcadian Winery Solvang
• V J B Vineyard & Cellars Kenwood