Trusted Counsel To The Wine Industry
Charles (Chuck) Meibeyer, the founder of CWM Wine Law, has four decades of legal experience representing hundreds of clients, most particularly in the wine industry, but other clients of all sizes and types in business and real estate transactions, and representation in land use and other regulatory matters.
Anticipating Napa Valley’s Needs Since 1983
Due to his depth of legal experience, and the dedication to his clients, many of whom become friends, Chuck commonly provides long-term legal advice as a functional “outside general counsel.” Through those long-term relationships Chuck has helped numerous clients from the creation of their businesses, through growth and expansion, and sometimes even in their ultimate sale when the owners decide the time is right.
But whether collaborating with a client for decades, or just for a one-time matter, Chuck has the experience, and expertise, to guide his clients through simple or complex transactions, due to his comprehensive knowledge of real estate and business transactions, and regulatory compliance. Whatever project he works on, Chuck dedicates his efforts to provide his clients with advice promptly and efficiently – after 40 years there are very few legal issues, he has not seen many times before.
Providing Legal Services With Exceptional Experience
Chuck has deep experience in winery-related matters, having helped winery owners, grape growers, and vineyard management companies in the common transactions necessary for the functioning of the wine industry in one of the world’s most important, and valuable wine regions. At the same time, local, state, and federal agencies, have adopted zoning and other regulatory rules in an effort to achieve the proper balance between the business needs of the industry, while also creating protections for the valley’s residents against adverse impacts resulting from the operation of wineries, the farming of vineyards, and the hospitality industry. Chuck’s experience with the adoption and operation of those rules and regulations, particularly important local regulations such as the Winery Definition Ordinance and Conservation Regulations, enable him to help clients comply, and thread their way through the extensive rules through his knowledge of the subtleties of the various regulatory schemes.
Full Lifecycle Counsel
Chuck understands that businesses evolve over time, as does the legal representation required through the life of a particular business venture. Clients need a thorough, initiative-taking attorney who can anticipate tomorrow’s changes and challenges – and an adaptable, accessible counselor who can take advantage of today’s unexpected opportunities.
Through the years Chuck has developed a reputation for accessibility and efficiency. More importantly he focuses on providing personal guidance to your legal considerations – building a trusted, durable relationship that centers on your near- and long-term goals. Chuck also brings strategic negotiating skills to his legal work – he served as a mediator in 350 cases and understands what it takes to reach agreement even in the most difficult transactions. Through this multiplicity of expertise, and his personal commitment to his clients, Chuck is proud to have guided businesses clients from their humble inceptions to acquisition deals worth into the hundreds of millions of dollars. Follow the link below to review a partial list of Chuck’s clients over the years.
Representative Clients
Building Businesses; Strengthening Communities
Napa Valley’s wineries, vineyards, restaurants, and lodging industry are more than just businesses. They are the crown jewel of the region’s economic and cultural life, attracting visitors and acclaim from across the world, and enabling our communities to connect more deeply with their environment, their neighbors and rich traditions of culinary education and innovation.
Chuck’s zest for practice in the wine and hospitality industry goes beyond his legal knowledge: it is rooted in his desire to improve the Napa Valley community by helping its leading enterprises make informed, sustainable decisions. As just one example, as counsel to the Culinary Institute of America, Chuck was instrumental in securing its acquisition of the CIA at Copia campus – working with his client, the seller and other potential joint venture partners, and the City of Napa to bring back to life Robert and Margrit Biever Mondavi’s dream for a landmark facility to offer growth, culture, and engagement to the City of Napa, enhanced by the CIA’s world renown education in the food, wine and hospitality industry. Promoting prosperity is Chuck’s passion, and this begins with securing the success of your business.
Contact An Attorney Who Knows Napa Valley