Trademark Infringement Suit Filed by Acclaimed Winemaker Gary Galleron; 3rd Generation Napa Valley Native Fights for His Family Name.

Business/News Editors & Legal Writers

NAPA VALLEY, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 11, 2000

Gary Galleron is a distinguished native Napa Valley winemaker who has made wines for the most prestigious names in the Napa Valley since 1976 -- Whitehall Lane, Grace Family, S. Anderson, Chateau Montelena, Seavey, Vineyard 29, Hartwell, Del Dotto, Mario Perelli-Minetti Winery -- as well as non-Napa wineries such as Lenz in New York (Long Island).

Gary is the third generation of a prominent winegrowing family in the Napa Valley who grew up playing in the vineyards on the street which bears his family name, Galleron Road. Gary established the GALLERON brand in conjunction with Whitehall Lane Winery in 1993.

WHEN YOUR NAME BECOMES A FEDERAL TRADEMARK CASE

Early in 1999 friends in the wine trade called Gary to share their confusion about a new wine brand called "Galleron Laine." Gary subsequently discovered that these wines were being produced by new residents on Galleron Road, Dr. Irwin Steiger and his wife Jan Laine Steiger. Jan Laine Steiger is the daughter of 1950s-era singer Frankie Laine, hence "Galleron Laine."

Gary Galleron and his family believe that this new brand name infringes on Gary's trademark. "We believe that this other producer and their wine are trading unfairly on the reputation of Gary Galleron and the reputation of the GALLERON brand. We feel that these other wines will confuse the public," Gary and his family explained.

To clarify the market confusion, Gary Galleron, owner of the GALLERON trademark, has filed a trademark infringement and unfair competition suit in San Francisco Federal Court.

"We believe that they are clearly in trademark violation," Gary explained, "and we asked them to stop. It is astounding to us that newcomers to the Napa Valley and the wine industry would take the Galleron name without any regard for my family or its history. After a lifetime in the wine business and an 82-year family legacy in the Napa Valley, I now find myself in the position of having to fight for my own name," stated Gary.

PROTECTING YOUR NAME THROUGH LEGISLATION

Galleron's predicament is not an isolated one. In the growing trend of geographic place names as vineyard or label designations, infringements on historical family names are becoming more and more common. Santa Barbara County wineries Foxen and Fess Parker recently settled their legal dispute over the use of the name "Foxen" on wine labels.

After initial conversations with California State Senator Wes Chesbro (D-Arcata) and U.S. Congressman Mike Thompson (D-St. Helena), the Gallerons hope to establish legislation to protect historical family names from future infringement. "A family name with 82 years of history in a small community should be protected. There are lots of other distinguished families -- whether they're in the Napa Valley or not -- who should be concerned," commented Congressman Thompson.

GARY'S BACKGROUND

"If anybody has Napa Valley wine running in their veins, it's Gary Galleron," smiled Bo Barrett, winemaker/proprietor of Chateau Montelena. Growing up on a `grape ranch' on Galleron Road thrust Gary into the heart of the Napa Valley wine industry from birth.

Gary graduated from California State University, Fresno with a degree in viticulture and enology in 1976 and started his climb up the winemaking ladder at Chateau Montelena that same year. Gary is considered to be one of the Napa Valley's most respected winemakers and native sons.

"In the competitive climate of the Napa Valley wine industry, Gary Galleron is an example of modest integrity, someone who has earned his reputation as an acclaimed winemaker through his own hard work, perseverance and talent," said Barrett.

THE GALLERON FAMILY

The Gallerons have been winegrowers in the Napa Valley for 82 years. Gary's grandparents, Virgile and Angele Galleron, emigrated from the Hautes Alpes region of France and founded Galleron Vineyards in 1918.

The next generation of Gallerons, brothers Paul and Virgil, known professionally as "Galleron Bros.," distinguished themselves as superb winegrowers as well as upstanding citizens in the northern Napa Valley community. Many locals remember with respect Virgil Galleron's leadership during the thirty years he served as president of the Napa Valley Co-operative Winery (1954-1984).

In 1943 the County of Napa re-named Elmwood Avenue (the road where the family lives) "Galleron Road" as a tribute to the family and the part they played in Napa Valley's history.

"Galleron" is an extremely rare French name; the earliest reference appears in Sir Thomas Mallory's Arthurian legends -- Sir Galleron was one of the Knights of the Round Table. Today there are only 167 Gallerons in the entire world -- all related to the Napa Valley branch of the Galleron family.

THE "REAL" GALLERON WINES

Tapping his own expertise and access to some of Napa Valley's most sought-after grapes, Gary Galleron continues to hand-craft small quantities of ultra-premium wines which are all 100% Napa Valley vineyard-designated under the GALLERON label.

The GALLERON wines are currently available at a select number of retail shops and restaurants across the nation and through the mailing list by phoning 707/265-6552, faxing 707/265-6559 or writing P.O.B. 2, Rutherford CA 94573.