A small Napa County winery is trying to void a multi-million dollar penalty it incurred during a legal dispute with the county, saying the “ruinous” fine and attorneys’ fees are unconstitutional and will drive it into bankruptcy.

The seeds of the court battle involving Hoopes Vineyard were planted in 2020, when the county said wine tastings and tours weren’t allowed at the property, located just south of Yountville off state Highway 29.

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Kiley Russell writes primarily for Local News Matters on issues related to equity and the environment. A Bay Area native, he has lived most of his life in Oakland. He studied journalism at San Francisco State University, worked for the Associated Press and the former Contra Costa Times, among other outlets. He has covered everything from state legislatures, local governments, federal and state courts, crime, growth and development, political campaigns of various stripes, wildfires and the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.