Winery Suit Begins Monday
In a court case beginning Monday and scheduled to last for up to three days, seven jurors will determine whether Jerry and Kate Marterella, who own and operate a farm winery on a 13-acre property on Falcon Glen Road near Warrenton, can continue to sell wine from their tasting room there.
Since it is located within the Bellevue Farms subdivision, the homeowners' association (the Bellevue Landowners Council), has claimed in court documents that the Marterella's winery is subject to its rules and regulations.
In 2004, the council's site committee and board of directors "authorized all aspects of [the Marterella's farm winery] except for on-site retail sales," according to court documents.
However, the Marterellas began selling wine, food and other items from the tasting room on their property. Last year, the council filed an injunction in Fauquier County Circuit Court to prevent them from continuing to do so.
The Marterellas, in turn, filed a "plea in equity," denying the allegations and accusing the group of selectively enforcing its rules and regulations.
See the Fauquier Times-Democrat for the complete story...