Napa, CA – A recent court ruling against Hoopes Vineyard Winery has raised significant concerns about the future of The Oasis by Hoopes, a nonprofit animal rescue operating on the winery’s property. Located in the Yountville area of Napa County, the sanctuary is home to a variety of animals, including sheep, horses, pigs, and chickens. The ruling, issued on February 20, prohibits the winery from holding public tastings, tours, and other activities that violate county regulations, and places new restrictions on the use of animals at the property.
The ruling, which comes in the form of a preliminary injunction, bans unpermitted activities related to the winery’s operations. It also restricts the keeping of animals unless they qualify under the county’s definition of “animal husbandry,” which applies to animals raised for products such as meat, dairy, eggs, or fur. The ruling further prohibits the use of animals to market the winery or attract visitors, sparking immediate concern for The Oasis by Hoopes, which relies heavily on its animals as part of its nonprofit mission.
At a court hearing on February 21, Hoopes’ attorney, Katharine Falace, argued that complying with the order would be impossible under the current circumstances. She questioned whether the animals could be classified as part of the winery’s operations under the county’s rules and requested additional time to relocate them. While Napa County officials did not object to the delay, they made it clear that they would not extend the other parts of the injunction, which would take effect immediately.
Judge Mark Boessenecker granted a temporary stay until March 7, specifically allowing time to address the situation with the animals, but not delaying any other parts of the order. The ruling has led to a public dispute between Hoopes Vineyard and Napa County over what exactly the injunction requires, with both sides offering differing interpretations.
Lindsay Hoopes, the owner of the winery, believes the ruling effectively forces the removal of all animals from the property. She argues that there is no way to house the animals in compliance with the new restrictions and that their removal is inevitable. “They prohibited us from marketing, advertising, or enticing customers with animals,” Hoopes said in an interview, pointing to the limitations on social media and other promotional materials. “Which covers social media. And it also forced us to evacuate all of the animals on the property.”
Hoopes further contended that the exception for animal husbandry does not apply, as the county has maintained that animals cannot be used to promote the winery. “On a property that has a winery, I guess in their estimation, you could either keep the winery or you can keep the animals,” she said.
However, county officials have a different perspective. According to Napa County spokesperson Linda Weinreich, the court’s ruling does not mandate the removal of the animals. “If Hoopes chooses to remove the animals to comply with the order, that is their prerogative,” Weinreich said. “However, the Court’s ruling does not require their removal — only that their presence aligns with existing zoning laws.” Napa County Board of Supervisors Chair Anne Cottrell echoed this sentiment, stating in an email that the county was simply enforcing existing regulations, not requiring the removal of animals.
Despite these assurances, the winery’s management remains convinced that the animals must be relocated in order to comply with the injunction. On February 25, The Oasis by Hoopes posted an image of two chickens with the word “banned” over them on Instagram, urging the community to help find new homes for the animals and to speak out against the decision.
The public response has been mixed, with local residents offering support to both the winery and the animals. On the community platform Nextdoor, Yountville resident Lori Hennigh shared Cottrell’s response, emphasizing that the animals should remain on the property as long as the winery follows the relevant regulations.
As the March 7 deadline approaches, both sides remain entrenched in their positions, and the future of The Oasis by Hoopes hangs in the balance. This ongoing dispute highlights the complexities surrounding zoning laws, animal rescue operations, and the intersection of business practices in Napa County, raising questions about how local regulations affect nonprofit animal sanctuaries operating within commercial spaces.