Peninsula Township faces another federal lawsuit after asking a winery that was a plaintiff in a previous case to stop hosting events and turn down the music.

Christopher Patterson, an attorney for the township, sent Bonobo Winery a letter on Nov. 21, claiming events it held in August and September, including a lunch hosted by chef Mario Batali on Aug. 23, violated its special-use permit. So too did past and planned private events like offering the winery for rent for weddings and rehearsal dinners in 2026.

Patterson referenced a federal judge’s decision to strike down parts of the township’s previous zoning ordinance allowing some types of events. Once struck down as unconstitutional, an ordinance essentially ceases to exist. And since zoning is permissive, a land use not listed in the

See Full Page