No Sanctuary in Sumptuary? Brown-Forman Threatens Sonoma Winery

Sanctuary implies shelter and Sumptuary applies to frugality laws.

But the vastly entirely different definitions have provided a small Sonoma winery no protection at all from Brown-Forman’s high-powered lawyers who think the names are so similar that they will confuse consumers.

Tom Meadowcroft, owner and winemaker of Meadowcroft Wines in Sonoma County says he has agreed to discontinue production of wines under the Sumptuary label to avoid Brown-Foreman’s legal threats.

“Apparently corporate bullying and harassment is alive and well in the U.S.A.,” said Tom Meadowcroft. “I am frustrated that the U.S. Trademark office does not have more sense to uphold the rights of individuals to trademark names that are so dissimilar in meaning and intent.”

According to Meadowcroft, Meadowcroft Wines, was established in 2003, and produces some 15,000 cases of wine each year.

“The sole vintage produced under the Sumptuary name is the 2007 Zinfandel released in March 2009,” he said. “About 900 cases remain and it was further agreed that Brown-Forman would allow us to sell off the remaining stock. Meadowcroft will continue releasing wines via his three existing labels: Meadowcroft, Magito and Thomas Henry.”

“Laws made for the purpose of restraining luxury or extravagance, particularly against inordinate expenditures in the matter of apparel, food, furniture, etc.”

According to Black’s Law dictionary, sumptuary laws were, “made for the purpose of restraining luxury or extravagance, particularly against inordinate expenditures in the matter of apparel, food, furniture, etc.”

Meadowcroft said  that sumptuary laws were enacted in many countries of Europe and around the world from the Middle Ages forward.

This article will be updated to include comment from Brown-Forman when it is received.