Kendall-Jackson Loses Appeal of Gallo Verdict

Santa Rosa-based Kendall-Jackson Winery lost its appeal of a trademark-infringement judgment last year in favor of E&J; Gallo Winery over that company’s “Turning Leaf” line of wines. Closely held Kendall-Jackson, one of the largest U.S. wineries, had claimed that Gallo had unfairly copied the stylized leaf design that it used on its popular Vintner’s Reserve wines. A federal judge dismissed some of the claims but allowed an argument to go to a jury, which found in Gallo’s favor, leading to the decision. Modesto-based Gallo is the country’s largest winery. A panel of the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco decided that the case was handled properly.