Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Hot on Facebook
Uproar After NC State Agent 'Fixes' Girl's Lunch Preschooler has to eat chicken nuggets instead of mom's meal »

Sour Grapes Over Napa Bubbly

Lawsuit divides members of top wine-making family

By Will McCahill,  Newser Staff

Posted Jan 19, 2008 5:34 AM CST

(Newser) – A feud between members of the family that produces one of the top sparkling wines in the US is making California's Napa Valley the setting for a real-life soap opera, the San Francisco Chronicle reports. Hedge-fund manager John Davies is battling for his stake in Schramsberg Vineyards, charging that his mother is mentally unstable, favoring his younger brother, and scamming investors.

Davies is appealing a November ruling that his mom, 72, is mentally competent to administer a trust in which the family's late patriarch provided each of his three sons with equal shares in the winery. "This is about my mother treating all her sons equally and preserving my rightful place in the family," said Davies.

No child is entitled to their parents' property while their parents are still alive, said the attorney for the defense. His mother is acting in accordance with her rights.
"No child is entitled to their parents' property while their parents are still alive," said the attorney for the defense. "His mother is acting in accordance with her rights."   (Shutterstock.com)
A variety of wines from the official site of Schramsberg Vineyards. A lawsuit by one of the sons of the winery's founder has turned Napa Valley into a soap-opera setting to rival Falcon Crest.
A variety of wines from the official site of Schramsberg Vineyards. A lawsuit by one of the sons of the winery's founder has turned Napa Valley into a soap-opera setting to rival "Falcon Crest."   (schramsberg.com)
This is not about money to me, said John Davies. I'm not asking for a cash advance. I have a very successful business. This is about my mother treating all her sons equally and about me preserving my rightful place in the family.
"This is not about money to me," said John Davies. "I'm not asking for a cash advance. I have a very successful business. This is about my mother treating all her sons equally and about me preserving...   (Shutterstock.com)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
To report an error on this story, notify our editors.
A snapshot of the day's best news stories.
 
COMMENTS
Be the first to comment on this story.

NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
Other Sites We Like:   24/7 Wall St.   |   Betty Confidential   |   BuzzFeed   |   Cracked   |   Fark   |   Timelines   |   The Frisky   |   Geek Sugar   |   NewsOne