Winemakers Sentenced for Using Inferior Grapes

A Madera winemaker and his son have been sentenced to federal prison terms for using inexpensive grapes instead of the more costly varieties they promised to wineries.

Angelo Papagni and his son, Demetrio Papagni, had pleaded guilty to misrepresenting the variety in nearly 500,000 gallons of wine they sold to well-known wineries such as Sutter Home, Glen Ellen and David Bynum.

U.S. District Judge Oliver Wanger sentenced Angelo Papagni to 18 months in prison. Demetrio will serve six months but will be allowed to remain free during work hours. The 71-year-old father was fined $25,000 and the son $10,000.