Stoel Rives LLP lawyers from the firm’s Beverage & Hospitality Group attended the 2014 Unified Wine & Grape Symposium last week in Sacramento, where they connected with new contacts, old friends, and current clients.
On Tuesday, Colin Hunter, Chris Hermann and Elaine Albrich visited winegrape growers, industry contacts and production facilities in Clarksburg, Lodi and Modesto. In the evening, Stoel’s in-house Alcohol Compliance Advisor Bernie Kipp joined the group for Zepponi & Company’s impressive wine reception, which extended onto the Hyatt’s 12th-story deck, providing an amazing view of the State Capitol.
At the symposium, Stoel attorneys caught up with growers and winemakers at the firm’s booth and showed off the firm’s new e-based Law of Wine book. Among many visitors was Kipp’s former colleague, Theresa McCarthy, Assistant Administrator for Headquarters Operations, at the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB). Stoel concluded the first day of the symposium by hosting its annual industry dinner at Ella Dining Room and Bar for clients and friends of the firm. No one was disappointed with the wine selection, as Chris Hermann chose Fiddlehead Sauv Blanc, Arnot Roberts Chardonnay and Syrah, ’09 Caillou CDP Quartz, ’09 Mortet Gervrey Chambertin, ’10 Ramonet Chassagne Montrachet Boudriotte, ’76 Lopez Bosconia and ’90 Chapouter Hermitage to accompany dinner.