COOS BAY, Ore. — A controversial wine company that faced criminal charges for operating illegally in California has moved its headquarters to Oregon's south coast.

The company, known as Ocean Fathoms, captured attention for its unique business model: It ages wine on the ocean floor, calling it "nature's perfect wine cellar."

Authorities in California said the founders of the company failed to have the proper permitting and licensing when they operated out of Santa Barbara. The Santa Barbara District Attorney's Office pursued misdemeanor charges against the two top employees.

District Attorney John Savrnoch told KGW, "Basically, every aspect of that business was either operating illegally or without the permits they claimed they had, but that is the experience in Santa Barbara County.

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