Chris Hermann
Christopher R. Hermann has worked with Northwest wineries, vineyards, breweries, distilleries, and distributors since the 1980s. He has particular experience with transactions involving the purchase and sale of wineries and vineyards, formation of LLCs to own and operate wineries and vineyards, preparing and prosecuting trademark applications, obtaining water rights and land use permits and approvals, advising owners on employment and termination agreements with winemakers, and drafting and negotiating grape purchase contracts, vineyard leases and custom crush, joint proprietorship, vineyard development and maintenance, and bottling and distribution agreements. Chris is a partner in our Portland, Oregon office and serves as the chair of the Winery and Vineyard group, and co-chair of the Food, Beverage & Hospitality group.
Practice Areas
- Wine and Vineyard Law
- Food, Beverage & Hospitality
- Environmental and Natural Resources
Professional Associations
- Oregon Winegrowers Association
- Washington Association of Wine Grape Growers
- Classic Wine Auction
Education
- University of Oregon, J.D., 1981, Environmental and Natural Resources Certificate
- Bowdoin College, B.A., 1976, summa cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa
Bar Admissions
- Oregon
- Washington
- Classic Colorado
TOM CRONE NAMED ASSISTANT ADMINISTRATOR FOR FIELD OPERATIONS
This was announced last week. Bernie Kipp has known Tom Crone for over 30 years. He hired Bernie for Regulations and later as District Director. He's a good guy with a practical approach. He would be the final decision maker in any action against field permitee.
TOM CRONE NAMED ASSISTANT ADMINISTRATOR FOR FIELD OPERATIONS
TTB Administrator John Manfreda and Deputy Administrator Mary Ryan have announced the appointment of Thomas R. Crone as Assistant Administrator for Field Operations, effective February 27, 2011. As TTB's Assistant Administrator for Field Operations, Mr. Crone is responsible for oversight, direction, and coordination of all Field Operations functions associated with TTB's tax collection and consumer protection programs. Mr. Crone brings a wealth of experience to the job along with his knowledgeable, practical, and collaborative approach that is so vital to carrying out our mission goals.
OPB Think Outloud
What a great way to spend a Wednesday morning. I joined Portland's thought leaders on all-thing-alcohol this morning at St. Jack restaurant, where we broadcasted live on OPB. A lively 
discussion of Oregon's alcohol industry was lead by On Air Host Emily Harris. Reasons behind Oregon's alcohol industry boom, the State's history with alcohol, and some tasty holiday cocktails were all topics for discussion.
Thanks to Steve Pharo, Executive Director of the Oregon Liquor Control Commission; Brian Butenschoen, Executive Director of the Oregon Brewers Guild; Kyle Jansson, Coordinator of the Oregon Heritage Commission; Karen Foley, Publisher of Imbibe Magazine; and of course Tommy Klus, Bartender at St. Jack restaurant and Teardrop Longe in Portland. That was fun.
If you missed it, please listen here.
Hermann attends Confrérie des Chevaliers du Tastevin Gathering
The Oregon chapter of the Confrérie des Chevaliers du Tastevin, Sous-Commanderie de Portland held its first event on November 29 at Park Kitchen in downtown Portland. Chapter member Scott
Wright of Scott Paul Wines presented "A Graduate Course: Burgundy 501." We tasted four flights of White and Red Burgundy from Chablis and the Cote d'Or. The presentation was superb and the food and wines presented, as well as the wines brought by the members, were delicious (the '07 Bonneau de Martray Corton Charlemagne was magnificent...thanks Scott!).
It was fun comparing notes on the wines with David Millman of DDO, Shirley Brooks of Elk Cove, Bill and Donna Sweat of Winderlea and Scott Wright of Scott Paul Wines.
I look forward to our next meeting, perhaps with a White Burgundy focus in the Spring.
P.S Thanks very much to David Beck of Crawford Beck Vineyard for the picture.
California High-Speed Rail: Vineyards in California's Central Valley Could be Impacted by its Tracks
A legal update from our colleague Stacy Gillespie.
The California High-Speed Rail Authority (“Authority”) will announce at its December 2, 2010 meeting which segment of the 800-mile HSR will be the first to be built. At its November 4, 2010 meeting, the Authority’s Chief Executive Officer, Roelof van Ark, presented the Authority’s Board members with revised corridor selection criteria for full Board discussion and direction. The Federal Railroad Administration recently sent a letter to the Authority stating that the Stimulus money must all be allocated to the Central Valley. 
Thus, contrary to earlier projections, the two routes in the most populated regions—San Francisco to San Jose, and Los Angeles to Anaheim—are now out of the running. The route that will be the early winner of $4.3 billion in federal and state funds and constructed first will be either Merced to Fresno (60 miles in length), or Fresno to Bakersfield (113 miles in length).
The Authority’s December 2nd determination will be of utmost importance to holders of large property rights, such as wineries, vineyards, and other agricultural interests. All segments of the HSR are undergoing various stages of the environmental review process as required by federal and state environmental laws. During that review, the preferred routes will be determined and alternative routes will be evaluated. Now is the time to get involved and submit comments to the Authority regarding the contemplated routes.
The cities located in the Central Valley corridors include:
1. Sacramento to Merced: Sacramento, Elk Grove, Galt, Lodi, Stockton, Manteca, Ripon, Modesto, Turlock, Livingston, Atwater, andMerced.
2. Merced to Fresno: Merced, Chowchilla, Madera, Clovis, and Fresno.
3. Fresno to Bakersfield: Fresno, Parlier, Reedley, Dinuba, Selma, Visalia, Tulare, Exeter, Porterville, Corcoran, Delano, Wasco, Shafter,and Bakersfield.
Insofar as a particular route for each corridor is determined, inherent in the Authority’s construction of the HSR is its power to acquire rights-of-way of private land—which is certain to require property owners to get quickly up to speed on eminent domain (condemnation) law.
A group of attorneys in our Sacramento office is closely following this issue and specialize in environmental law and eminent domain. Please subscribe if you would like to receive regular email alerts.
Bernie Kipp at Great American Distiller's Festival
Craft distillers from coast to coast attended the 6th Annual Great American Distiller’s Festival (GADF) on October 23 and 24, 2010 at the Tiffany Center in NW Portland. 38 separate distilleries poured more than 70 gins, vodkas, whiskey’s and rums in a celebration of all things “spirited.”
Special events included seminars for distillers and tours of Portland distilleries. .jpg)
Seminar presenters included Bernie Kipp Alcohol Compliance Advisor for Stoel Rives LLP; Japanese Whiskey distiller Yuri Kato, and former master distiller for Maker’s Mark, Dave Pickerell.
GADF hosted the largest number of distillers and attendees to date, reflecting the growth of craft distilling in the United States and Oregon. Oregon is an established hotbed for craft breweries and wineries, and craft spirits are quickly becoming the third leg of the fermentation stool. Oregon boasts nearly two dozen distilleries, with at least eight in Portland. Several Portland distillleries have made “distillery row” in South East Portland official by forming a nonprofit organization and offering tours of each distillery at particular hours.
