WHAT’S IN A NAME?

According to a press release, Diageo North America is buckling down on a small Oregon winery, Belle Provenance Vineyard, for using the word “provenance” in their title. Diageo owns the Provenance Vineyards brand and believes the public will be confused by the two labels. “We’re amazed that Diageo, the largest spirits company in the world, would claim that the exclusive right to use the word ‘Provenance’ in connection with wine. Provenance means origin,” said Timothy Ramey, co-owner of Belle Provenance Vineyard. “It is in the lexicon of the wine community.”