A family member behind the Napa Valley wine empire Trinchero Family Estates faces potential felony firearm charges after he was arrested last week.
Carlo Trinchero, 35, whose family is worth 1.9 billion with popular wine brands including Sutter Home and Ménage à Trois, was arrested on Friday after police received an anonymous tip that he was in possession of guns despite being a convicted felon.
During a traffic stop, Napa County sheriff's deputies seized a small amount of methamphetamine from Trinchero's car and he informed them about the firearms at his property.
Deputies found 11 firearms, including an AR-15 assault-style rifle with a pistol grip and collapsible stock, at one of Trinchero's properties, the San Francisco Chronicle reported Tuesday.
Trinchero, who is the director of the company's high-end portfolio of labels, was convicted of domestic assault in 2017 so it is illegal for him, as a felon, to own guns.
Trinchero was booked on four counts of illegal gun and drug possession, and released the same day on a $50,000 bond, according to sheriff's records.
Carlo Trinchero, 35, who is part of the Napa Valley wine empire Trinchero Family Estates worth $1.9 billion, was arrested on felony firearm and meth charges
Trinchero Family Estates as the third-largest wine producer in the U.S., with an estimated 20 million cases produced each year, according to Wine Business Monthly
Trinchero is prohibited from owning guns because back in 2017, he was convicted of assaulting his girlfriend Stephanie (pictured) and an EMT who came to assist her
Trinchero is prohibited from owning guns because back in 2017, he was convicted of assaulting his girlfriend and an EMT who had arrived on the scene to assist her.
According to court documents obtained by the San Francisco Chronicle, Trinchero threw his girlfriend into a closet and she was knocked unconscious when her head struck a shelf. When an EMT arrived on the scene, Trinchero pushed him to the ground and punched him, court documents allege.
Trinchero pled no contest to domestic violence charges and was sentenced to 180 days in jail and three years of probation.
Later the same year, Trinchero married that girlfriend Stephanie Trinchero and they have two daughters together. In June 2022, they filed for divorce, citing 'irreconcilable differences,' and in October, she filed for a restraining order against him, it was reported.
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ShareSince Friday's arrest, Stephanie Trinchero has requested that the court renew an earlier protective order that expired in October, the Napa Valley Register reported.
She alleged that he has kept methamphetamine and guns and has had both meth and firearms under the same roof as their daughters, who are 3 and 2.
'The children have been exposed to Carlo's rage and volatile behavior,' Stephanie Trinchero wrote in her request. 'They have witnessed him screaming and using profanity with me and others. It is detrimental to their welfare to witness this behavior, and I am afraid for their safety as well.'
On Friday, deputies obtained a search warrant for two of Trinchero's properties and then conducted a traffic stop. After being apprehended at a traffic stop on Monticello Road, he told the authorities where his firearms were located.
Later the same year, Trinchero married that girlfriend Stephanie Trinchero and they had two daughters together. In June 2022, they filed for divorce, citing 'irreconcilable differences' Pictured, left, Stephanie Trinchero and second the left, Carlo Trinchero
Trinchero, who was named to Forbes magazine's 30 Under 30 list for the food and beverage category in 2015, is the director of the Trinchero empire's Elite Collection and Taken Wine Co.
Officers seized 11 firearms from his Highway 128 property, one of which was an AR-15 rifle with assault weapon features, including a pistol grip and collapsible stock. Possession of an assault weapon is illegal in California.
Deputies also found several magazines and cases of ammunition on the property, which all three violations are felonies.
As of Tuesday, he had not yet been formally charged, the Napa County District Attorney's Office told SFGATE, adding that it had not yet decided on any charges for Trinchero.
Trinchero is scheduled to return to Napa County Superior Court on January 20, 2023.
Trinchero, who was named to Forbes magazine's 30 Under 30 list for the food and beverage category in 2015, is the director of the Trinchero empire's Elite Collection and Taken Wine Co.
The Trinchero Napa Valley Winery was built in St. Helena in 2007, and unveiled a new Napa Valley tasting room in 2016
Trinchero Family Estates also have more than 50 wine and spirits brands, including Ménage à Trois wines and Tres Agaves Tequila
He has worked at the family company for the past decade and held director roles since 2013.
Trinchero's father Roger was CEO of the company from 2004-2017. And Carlo has played a large role in their expansion into the premium wine category.
Trinchero Family Estates as the third-largest wine producer in the U.S., with an estimated 20 million cases produced each year, according to Wine Business Monthly.
Their most popular is the Sutter Home brand which was founded in 1948 and is credited with creating the world's first white zinfandel. They also have more than 50 wine and spirits brands, including Ménage à Trois wines and Tres Agaves Tequila.
The Trinchero Napa Valley Winery was built in St. Helena in 2007, and unveiled a new Napa Valley tasting room in 2016.
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