Korbel Owner Sues Daughter

It’s nothing new,  wine making families have been feuding for centuries (i.e. Robert and Peter Mondavi).  The latest family feud is amongst the Korbel family, makers of the top selling California sparkling wine.

Korbel Cellar’s current owner, Gary Heck is suing his daughter Richie Ann Samii for defamation.  Heck claims Richie is the source of “online diatribes that damaged the image of the century-old Guernerville winerty.”  Like most family feuds, this one appears to be about money.  The defamation suit would leave Richie high and dry, with no stake in the family winery.

Last year, posts were made on a Craigslist forum accusing Korbel Cellars of punishing employees who reported sexual harassment.  These posts also exposed purported plots to cut down ancient redwoods on the Korbel property.

Heck and Samii have been immersed in legal battles against each other since 2006.