Trusted Counsel to the Wine Industry

Charles W. Meibeyer

Charles W. Meibeyer

Practice Areas:

  • Real Estate

Biography

During his legal career spanning over forty (40) years, Chuck has guided clients through many multi-million dollar real property and commercial transactions and handled several dozens of land use matters. In addition to work as a wine industry attorney, Chuck also served as a mediator over the years in more than 350 real estate, land use, and business conflicts.

During law school at the U.C. Berkeley School of Law, Chuck externed with California Supreme Court Justice Mathew O. Tobriner. After graduation, Chuck was an associate with Morrison & Foerster in San Francisco before joining Dickenson, Peatman & Fogarty in Napa in 1983 where he was a partner before founding his own firm in 1989. In 2016 Chuck was recruited by the renowned San Francisco law firm Coblentz Patch Duffy & Bass to join them as a partner to help launch a Wine Country law practice, and Chuck also recently worked as a broker with Coldwell Banker Brokers of the Valley in St. Helena, handling vineyard, winery, and luxury property transactions. Chuck returned to his own law practice in 2021. In addition to his legal work with CWM Wine Law, Chuck also handles wine industry-related real estate transactions as a broker with his own real estate firm: Vine and Wine Properties.

Chuck has served as President (and board member) of the Napa County Mental Health Association, Napa Valley Unified Education Foundation, Napa Valley Unified School District Board of Trustees, St. Helena Chamber of Commerce, the St. Helena Rotary Club and the St. Helena Rotary Foundation. He has also served as a member (and president) of homeowner associations and currently serves as a member of the St. Helena Star Editorial Board.

Education

  • University of California at Berkeley, Boalt Hall School of Law, Berkeley, California
    • J.D., Doctor of Jurisprudence - 1982
    • Honors: Milton D. Green Scholar
  • University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
    • A.B., Bachelor of Arts - 1975
    • Honors: cum laude
    • Honors: With Distinction

Bar Admissions

  • California, 1982

Honors

  • Recipient, Milton D. Green Top Ten Scholars Award, Hastings College of the Law, - 1980
  • Associate Editor, Industrial Relations Law Journal, 1980 - 1981
  • Recipient, Paul Harris Award, St. Helena Rotary Club, - 2006

Published Works

  • "Hidden Conflicts California Lawyer", May, 1985
  • "Numerous Benefits of Mediation", Napa Valley Register
  • "Dealing with Partnership Disputes Before They Arise By using Buy-Sell Agreements", The Business Journal
  • "There Is A Better Way", The Business Journal

Professional Associations

  • Mental Health Association of Napa County, California, President, 1985-1987
  • Mental Health Association of California, Director, 1985-1988
  • Napa Valley Unified Education Foundation, President-Elect, 1991

Representative Clients

  • Frank Family Vineyards
  • Rombauer Vineyards
  • Hall Financial – Hall Winery
  • Culinary Institute of America, Inc.
  • Castello di Amorosa and V. Sattui Winery
  • Darioush Winery
  • Staglin Family Vineyard

Current Employment Position

  • Attorney