Salvestrin Winery and Beckstoffer Vineyards Seek Injunction, Damages Against Natural Selection for Asserted Trademark Infringement

RUTHERFORD, CA--(Marketwired - Dec 22, 2014) -  Salvestrin Wine Company, LLC ("Salvestrin") and Beckstoffer Vineyards ("Beckstoffer") announced today that they have filed claims for trademark infringement, unfair competition (false endorsement and false advertising) and declaratory judgment against Natural Selection 357, LLC ("Natural Selection") with the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California. Salvestrin and Beckstoffer seek monetary damages, injunctive relief and attorneys' fees. Natural Selection's partners include Orin Swift Winery owner David Phinney.

This case involves the historic Crane heritage vineyard site located in St. Helena that was originally planted by Napa Valley pioneer Dr. George Belden Crane (also known as "G.B. Crane" and "Dr. Crane"). The majority of the vineyard still farmed today is owned by Salvestrin and Beckstoffer, who allege that they have, for decades, used the trademarks "Dr. Crane," "Old Crane" and/or "Old Crane Ranch" ("Crane Marks") in connection with the production of wine grapes and wines from grapes grown on the historic Crane vineyard site. Natural Selection recently purchased a portion of the historic Crane vineyard site and has begun selling wines under the name "G.B. Crane," including -- as asserted by Beckstoffer and Salvestrin -- wines made from grapes not grown on the Crane vineyard. 

Salvestrin and Beckstoffer have opposed Natural Selection's attempt to register the trademark "G.B. Crane," and in their lawsuit allege that Natural Selection is attempting to co-opt for itself the Crane name and legacy. Salvestrin and Beckstoffer seek affirmative relief based upon Natural Selection's alleged infringement of the Crane marks. 

Salvestrin and Beckstoffer are represented by E. Patrick Ellisen of Greenberg Traurig, LLP.

About Salvestrin Winery

Salvestrin Wine Company is a highly-regarded, third-generation, family-owned winery that has been growing and selling its own grapes since 1932 and producing wines of the highest quality since 1994.

About Beckstoffer Vineyards

Beckstoffer Vineyards is one of the largest privately held growers of wine grapes in the State of California and, since its inception in the 1970s, Beckstoffer has been dedicated to the acquisition, farming and preservation of historical "heritage" vineyards in Napa Valley.