Speak out to the Napa DA in support of just punishment for felons who steal grapes

Let me guess. Was this a sudden out of the clear blue sky a decision for a dead of the night pick only a few hours before harvest? Same thing happened to my vineyard. Suddenly 10 tons of my outstanding grapes were gone and off my property. Letting these low-life scum-bags off with a slap on the wrist spreads like a fourth stage cancer. It eats the owner and vineyard alive and all the while the vineyard manager is laughing in your face that he got away with it. There are always ways to track down those very special, unusual wines. My grapes don't sell in the level of the gentleman's petition, but they do sell for $50.00 a bottle and it was a great loss to me to lose my grapes let alone the great disappointment for my buyers who were reduced to 38% less this year than last. It all boils down to absolute arrogance, greed and feeling nothing can touch them. They plot this all out months ahead of time. It is not a rash, last minute decision. Already in big trouble and willing to take the risk of not being discovered. Somebody always tells.

This needs to be a felony. Send the message to others .....consequences should be harsh to deter more acts of this kind.

Mr. Hill broke a fiduciary trust to protect the vineyards entrusted to his care. He perpetrated against his employers for his own evil gain, stealing what was not only their livelihood but what was precious to them. The dollar amount of loss alone warrants a felony prosecution. If this crime is watered down to a misdemeanor, the implications will reverberate throughout the entire wine making community and nation that crime pays.

Unbelievable, I believe you are correct in saying the how the presadence will be set on lowering the penalty of such crimes.

Jeff Hill committed the crime knowingly as he works in the industry. We must keep his crime as a felony.

I support you in your efforts in convicting Jeff Hill. If this guy isn't prosecuted , it will set a precedence that others will be allowed to get away with this in the future Please protect the growers and their assets.

That's not right something they should give you there Cab Grapes. I hope that everything works for you all. Mr & Mrs G Patino

I am not in the wine business, but heard of this through a friend. I am outraged by the idea that someone who stole $800,000 in property be charged with a misdemeneour. This is NOT the solution to overcrowding in our penal system. Every week we are hearing about criminals who are released committing crimes like assault, robbery, and even murder. Prosecutors and judges who allow crimes to go unpunished need to be investigated and even prosecuted for failing to uphold our laws.

My wife and I have known the Del Dotto's since the mid 2000's. The first time that we toured the historic caves at Atlas Peak, we knew we found someone with such a passion and commitment to growing, caring and producing outstanding wines. For Mr. Hill to just take it upon himself to pilfer someone else's investment, time, development and product is completely unethical. Success is not predicated upon stealing from others and Mr. Hill's objectives were quite clear, "Personal gain and development from the Del Dottos's hard work and investment." To sentence him with minor punishment, sends a message that its all right to infringe on other peoples investments. Please prosecute Mr. Hill to the maximum allowable sentence, so it sets a precedence that stealing grapes will not be tolerated Regards, Glenn & Lorraine Edwards

I would oppose this plea deal. Moving forward with this plea would not serve as a message to those who teal valuable grapes. This plea would encourage more thefts as the risk would be more than worth it.

Signed!!!

To whom it may concern: We have known the Del Dottos for 20 years. Their reputation and commitment to the community is outstanding!! They are honest folks that do not deserve being taken advantage of!! Thank you. Jim and Peg Petersen

How could Jeff Hill feel any pride in his wine by stealing grapes? It is appalling that a winemaker would steal from another winemaker in this prestigious wine region. It would tarnish the reputation of Napa Valley if this crime is not treated as a felony. Grand theft of grapes should be treated as such and not dismissed as an insignificant crime.

The crime Mr. Hill committed is grand theft and should be sentenced accordingly.

The crime Mr. Hill committed is grand theft and should be sentenced accordingly.

The theft of grapes that cost a vintner in excess of $800,000 is a felony and the criminal should be incarcerated. If not, let me know, I will pack up and head to Napa and steal grapes and if I am caught I will accept a slap on the wrist, after all you have set a present.

Seems like a travesty if one can plead out on a crime like this!

As a customer of Del Dotto Wine for the last 7 years, I am in full support of this petition. The value of the grapes exceeds the price of a new Ferrari, new Bentley, and a new Rolls Royce. Would we all be so lenient in our judgement had Jeff Hill stolen these cars from a local Car Dealership? Probably not. Because this is a case in a specialty product and two individual proprietors does not diminish its impact. Businesses in California have enough risk to manage without worrying about the potential 'white collar' crime and theft from employees that can result in nearly $800,000 in lost revenue. Our state is not entirely business friendly, and if proper restitution cannot be obtained in court in this case, we send the wrong message to others that may want to open a business in our state, that the risks are not worth the reward. Please consider my statements in your decision to reduce any charges.

Any theft is a criminal act that should be prosecuted to the greatest extent of the law. This should be for all industry including the winemaking business.

We believe he should be punished to the full extent of the law...not just a slap on the wrist. The amount of money involved is a federal offense and should be prosecuted that way.