By Nicole Montesano • Staff Writer • 

Winery files federal lawsuit against marijuana processor

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Comments

tagup

Not sure the "fear" of grape flavor changes from pungent smells is actually evidence....If so, Waste management might need to be included in the litigation...

Don Dix

Wouldn't the vineyard need scientific evidence to prove it's case in court? Cal. vineyards are growing cannibis and grapes on the same property without incident. Just saying contamination will (or might) occur is at best conjecture.

Kat758

Winery owners sure feel like they have a lot of entitlement. Unfortunately this county has allowed them that.

Oregonian

This is a very interesting case. The state, county and city all have rebuffed the Momtazi family's claims that their grapes are being damaged by a crop that is legal in this state. The family switches gears and tries to get the Fed to intervene and focus on the fact that the crop is illegal on the federal level. This looks like a fascinating twist on Fed vs. state power.

gregtompkins

Both wine and pot are intoxicants. And the wine industry has brought environmental destruction to this county. Perhaps Californians think it’s pretty to chop down all the beautiful oak and fir trees for wine fields. Now these progressive dunderheads even want a bike trail ? What so folks can get intoxicated and ride on their bikes to wineries? I truly hope a pest comes along and gets in the grapes and that industry totally withers up. And all those progressive dopes all go back where they came from - California. And we can get back to growing things that actually provide nutritional value not intoxicating poisons.

bdf

Oregonian
"This is a very interesting case. The state, county and city all have rebuffed the Momtazi family's claims that their grapes are being damaged by a crop that is legal in this state. The family switches gears and tries to get the Fed to intervene and focus on the fact that the crop is illegal on the federal level. This looks like a fascinating twist on Fed vs. state power."

Where does it stop? Can a City disregard State law if it chooses? Additionally, what recourse does a citizen have? I think the States that choose to ignore federal laws have opened up a slippery slope for communities ignoring the States laws. I don't have any answers.

gregtompkins

bdf, well this state ignores immigration laws in fact rewards folks here for breaking the law and even refuses to turn over lawbreakers AFTER breaking other laws.... But citizens are expected to be in compliance.

gregtompkins

bdf, well this state ignores immigration laws in fact rewards folks here for breaking the law and even refuses to turn over lawbreakers AFTER breaking other laws.... But citizens are expected to be in compliance.

actionjax

The State having States Rights is all fine and good until a Governor or through legislation abortion is limited or abolished then everyone losses their minds and off to court we go. Go job trying to appear unbiased on this issue as a States Rights issue though.

A New Generation

Wow. This has gotten seriously off topic.
But in response to tagup and Dix, yes 'pungent smells' (most current example: wood smoke from the wildfires) can irreversibly damage wine grapes. Just an FYI...

tagup

I'm not sure the science is complete about the "woodsmoke taint" argument. While some detection of phenol changes is possible, the matter of "flavor" still seems pretty subjective. I believe some wineries even age their crop in charred oak barrels to enhance the flavor if I'm not mistaken. There are also other factors that have an effect on wine flavor...i.e. the growth stage of the grapes when the exposure occurs, the variation of weather conditions in a normal year (temperature, moisture) etc.....

It will be interesting to see if "cannibus taint" can actually be proven with factual evidence.... If it is, neighbors of every vineyard better increase their insurance coverage....

Mudstump

Should I be worried here? My property adjoins a vineyard. My horse barn is probably no more than 50 feet from the nearest row of grapes. I get along really well with the owners, but could I be sued for "horse" odor/manure tainting their grapes? Where does this stop? It seems some of these vineyard owners want to bully the surrounding neighbors and tell them what they can and can't do with their own property. As long as it's legal the issue should be quickly put to rest imo.

Mudstump

A New Generation - "But in response to tagup and Dix, yes 'pungent smells' (most current example: wood smoke from the wildfires) can irreversibly damage wine grapes."

Isn't this the risk and cost of being in the vineyard business? There are no guarantees in agriculture.

Tuvey

When I started reading this article I also thought I would be reading of scientific measures that would prove taint. Don Dix I agree conjecture here, not fact. I don't have an answer either and it is a good Federal vs State issue. Bottom line would be you are neighbors. Work it out. There has to be a place where you can both be happy.

Tuvey

Sorry, one more. Why don't the Momtazi vineyards create a wine from the plants that they can no longer sell and market it to pot smokers? Sounds like a new and wonderful product line to me.

Mudstump

From Mr. Mudstump's point of view.....

Having known a fair share of cork dorks and toke folks in my time, I can say this about their kind: they like to sample. Whether it’s a beverage of the former’s persuasion or a derivative of the latter’s liking: they like to sample.

What a brilliant marketing ploy! This lawsuit will surely lead to an ad blitz by both parties. After all, they’re gonna need some funds for attorney fees. I can see it all now. I’ve read wine reviews that use the term “smelling floral” and dispensaries don’t call them “flowers” for nothing. Soon the sommeliers will be rating an Indicabernet from the plaintiff’s harvest whilst the bud tenders recommend a Ganga Gris grown at defendant Wagner’s Yamhill Naturals farm. Sure, Blue Dream is popular bud, but Rose’ Dream is the wine stoners will pair with the new cannabis strain, Pinot Finito. Of course this could lead to some dangerous pairings that the public should be warned about. For example, the Laughable Quaffable herb from Wagner’s should never be consumed with the trendy Maysara wine for lovers, Kush Crush. And Wowwer Noir should never be drank while smoking a spliff with Original Gangster or Ocean Grown genetics. Nothing worse than an OG OD!

The marketing strategy will have a direct impact on those who like to sample, and the crossover potential is fantastic. All samplers will be sampling something, guaranteed. Wine o’clock may soon be 4:20 and that person pouring your sample may be a certified sativa diva. Mark my words, the times are changing. Talk about biodynamics!

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