Brimer v. V. Sattui Winery, et al.

V. Sattui Winery elected to address its Proposition 65 liability by opting into the terms of the Consent Judgment entered by the San Francisco Superior Court in the matter of Russell Brimer v. The Boelter Companies, et al. on November 10, 2005.  In doing so, it became a member of a class of settling defendants who agreed to virtually eliminate the heavy metals lead and cadmium from their respective decorated glassware and ceramicware products manufactured, distributed, imported or sold in California.  The stipulated judgment resolves Russell Brimer’s claim that V. Sattui sold certain glassware and ceramicware products with exterior decorations containing the Proposition 65-listed chemicals cadmium and lead, without the clear and reasonable exposure warnings required by the Act.

Under the terms of the settlement agreement, V. Sattui agreed to reformulate its products to virtually eliminate lead and cadmium from the products’ exterior decorations such that no health hazard warning is required, and to reimburse Mr. Brimer for his attorneys’ fees and costs.  As a food service retailer of glassware and ceramicware, V. Sattui paid $29,000 in civil penalties, costs and fees. 

A summary of the consolidated action and settlement can be found in Brimer v. The Boelter Companies, et al., Case No. CGC-05-440811.