Korbel owner's daughter, fiance accused in assault

The daughter of the owner of Korbel Champagne Cellars and her fiance were arrested in connection with an alleged sexual assault at the historic winery, authorities said Monday.

Christopher Samii, 31, and Richie Ann Anderson, 38, both of Guerneville, were arrested Friday after two employees at the Korbel Delicatessen accused the couple of sexually assaulting them after work.

Sonoma County Sheriff's Sgt. Dennis O'Leary said the women spent several hours drinking with Samii and Anderson after the deli had closed Thursday before going to a workout room in a nearby building.

O'Leary said the alleged assault took place there in a room that has massage tables, a tanning booth and sauna.

"One side is claiming it was consensual and the other side is not," O'Leary said.

Anderson is the daughter of Gary Heck, president and owner of Korbel. His father, Adolf Heck, bought the winery from the Korbel family in 1954.

F. Korbel & Brothers, which also owns Kenwood Vineyards and Valley of the Moon Winery in the Sonoma Valley, is the fourth-largest wine producer in Sonoma County, selling more than 2.2 million cases last year.

Heck could not be reached for comment Monday.

Attempts to reach Anderson were also not successful.

Deputies were dispatched to Sebastopol's Palm Drive Hospital at about 10 a.m. Friday after the two female employees reported being the victims of a sexual assault.

O'Leary said the pair were given a sexual assault examination at the hospital but he declined to give specifics.

He said one of the women injured her wrist and ankle as a result of a fall while leaving the workout room. He said both women were treated at the hospital for "minor injuries" and released.

Samii and Anderson were arrested Friday night and booked into the Sonoma County Jail.

Samii was booked on suspicion of rape and forced oral copulation. Anderson was booked on suspicion of oral copulation in concert with another person.

The pair were released from jail Saturday after posting $50,000 bail each, O'Leary said.

He said detectives are hoping to submit the case to the the District Attorney's Office in a few days. A decision on whether to bring formal charges could come as early as next week.

"Based on the information we received we made the arrests because we felt there was enough probable cause," O'Leary said.