Merritt Hill Vineyards, Inc. v. Windy Heights Vineyard, Inc

61 N.Y.2d 106, 460 N.E.2d 1077 (1984)

Facts

Merrit (P) entered into a contract with Windy (D) to purchase a majority interest in D's Yates County vineyard. and tendered a $15,000 deposit. The conditions of forfeiture of that deposit called for non-forfeiture in the event that D had not obtained title insurance or had not received confirmation from the Farmers Home Administration that the mortgages on the vineyard are in effect and that the sale would not constitute a default. P discovered at closing that neither the policy nor the confirmation had been issued. P refused to close and demanded his deposit. D refused and P sued. P's motion for summary judgment was denied which was reversed and the motion was granted with a dismissal of a consequential damages claim. Both parties appealed.