OPINION OF FARELLA BRAUN + MARTEL LLP
EXHIBIT 5.1
[LETTERHEAD OF FARELLA BRAUN + MARTEL LLP]
October 31, 2000
Ravenswood Winery, Inc.
18701 Gehricke Road
Sonoma, CA 95476
Ladies and Gentlemen:
We have examined the Registration Statement on Form S-3 to filed by you with the
Securities and Exchange Commission on or about October 31, 2000 (the
"Registration Statement") in connection with the registration under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, of a total of 300,000 shares of your common
stock, no par value, (the "Shares"), to be sold by that certain selling
shareholder listed in the Registration Statement (the "Selling Shareholder"). As
your legal counsel, we have examined the proceedings taken and are familiar with
the proceedings proposed to be taken by you in connection with the sale of the
Shares by the Selling Shareholder in the manner set forth in the Registration
Statement in the section entitled "Plan of Distribution." It is our opinion that
the Shares, when sold by the Selling Shareholder in the manner set forth in
the Registration Statement, will be legally and validly issued, fully paid and
nonassessable. We hereby consent to being named as counsel to the Company in the
Registration Statement, to the references therein to our firm under the caption
"Legal Matters" and to the inclusion of this opinion as an exhibit to the
Registration Statement.
This opinion is rendered by us as counsel for Ravenswood Winery, Inc. solely for
your benefit in connection with the transaction or transactions contemplated
herein and may not be relied upon by you in connection with any other
transaction and may not be relied upon by any other person without our prior
written consent. This opinion speaks only as of its date we assume no obligation
to update this opinion should circumstances change after the date hereof.
Very truly yours,
/s/ FARELLA BRAUN + MARTEL LLP
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