Francis Ford Coppola and his Napa Valley winery, Inglenook, are entangled in a legal battle involving claims of stolen wine tanks, fraud, and embezzlement. Inglenook filed a lawsuit in July, alleging that George Giles Beeker, a former independent contractor, misappropriated 26 fermentation tanks valued at $2 million and sold them without authorization. Calistoga Vintner Services (CVS), the alleged buyer of the tanks, is also named in the lawsuit. Both defendants have denied the allegations, and the case is set for a management hearing in April.
The dispute dates back to 2021, when Inglenook purchased the tanks but found them unsuitable for use. Beeker purportedly assured the winery he was negotiating their sale, but Inglenook later discovered the tanks had been sold to CVS for $1.2 million—a figure they contend is well below market value. CVS, in a cross-complaint, claimed Beeker falsely represented himself as authorized to act on Inglenook’s behalf during the transaction. Beeker maintains he had Coppola’s approval for the sale and argues the price was fair given the tanks’ condition and storage.
Adding to the complexity, Beeker claims the lawsuit is retaliation for a separate conflict involving a property dispute with Coppola’s company, Sofia Properties. After the lawsuit was filed, Sofia Properties initiated eviction proceedings against Beeker regarding a St. Helena property. Beeker alleges he co-purchased the property with Coppola, contributing to expenses and repairs, but only Coppola’s name appears on the title. Sofia Properties has not commented on the matter, further muddying the narrative.
Personal ties between Beeker and Coppola add another layer to the controversy. Beeker has described his relationship with Coppola as both professional and friendly, citing frequent communication, exchanged gifts, and unpaid work on Coppola’s projects. He also claims proceeds from the tank sale funded improvements to the disputed property. Inglenook, however, characterizes Beeker’s actions as fraudulent and harmful to the winery’s reputation.
This tangled web of legal, financial, and personal disputes highlights the challenges facing Inglenook, Beeker, and CVS. While Inglenook seeks restitution for the alleged theft and fraudulent sale of the tanks, the defendants aim to clear their names and assert their claims. With accusations flying from all sides and ties between the parties deeply intertwined, the case underscores the complexities of resolving disputes in the high-stakes world of Napa Valley winemaking.