In a significant legal development, a federal judge has stepped in to demand corrective action from the Gordon Companies. This comes after they falsely claimed to have acquired and taken over the long-standing Nantucket Wine & Food Festival, which has been run by Nancy Bean for years.

Judge's Order and Its Implications

Judge Leo Sorokin's injunctive order makes it clear that while fair competition is important, this case is not about that. One competitor, the Gordon Companies, made false statements about another competitor's business, either knowingly or intentionally. And they failed to adequately address these falsehoods. David Gordon, the CEO of the Gordon Companies, has been ordered by the judge to make corrective disclosures to every recipient of their original June email announcement. These disclosures must also be made on the festival-related websites they created. As Bean stated in a statement, "This ruling speaks for itself. It serves as a powerful reminder of our commitment to our community and supporters."

Background of the Festival

The Nantucket Wine & Food Festival has a rich 30-year history on the island. It was founded in 1996 by Denis Toner, a sommelier. Initially a small event with hundreds of patrons attending at the Sconset Casino, it has grown into a regional event now attended by thousands in multiple locations around the island. The White Elephant has been hosting the major events of the festival since 2013 and was also the official host hotel and sponsor.

Gordon's Deceptive Campaign

In June, unbeknownst to Bean, David Gordon announced through emails to media and industry insiders that the Gordon Companies and the White Elephant had partnered to host a "rebranded" Nantucket Food & Wine Experience from May 14-18. Bean's original suit, filed in July, alleges that the Gordon Companies engaged in a deceptive public information campaign by announcing they had "purchased" and "rebranded" the long-running Wine & Food Festival. They also used proprietary information to try to buy her out before announcing their own similar festival and attempted to capitalize on the reputation of her festival. The Gordon Companies is a retail wine business with four locations in the Boston area and had participated in Bean's festival for the last three years.

Recent Developments

Last month, Gordon and Khaled Hashem, the president of White Elephant Resorts, sent a letter to the Select Board withdrawing all pending applications to hold a Food and Wine Experience in Nantucket in May 2025. Bean has confirmed that the 2025 Nantucket Wine & Food Festival will still be held from May 14-18, with tasting tents at Bartlett's Farm and other events at various locations like the Sconset Casino, the Nantucket Hotel, and private residences. This festival continues to hold a special place in the community and is a testament to the hard work and dedication of those involved.