34 min

Up in Smoke Vinfamous: Wine Crimes & Scandals

    • Food

For many years, the California Central Warehouse was considered a safe place for winemakers and collectors to store wine. With its sturdy three-foot concrete walls, it was thought to be safe from earthquakes, forest fires, and other natural disasters. Until, one day, it all went up in smoke. A fire destroyed 250 million dollars worth of wine, including entire wine libraries, vintages in transit to restaurants, and bottles filled with California history. What sparked this fire? That’s a story of fraud, embezzlement, and deception… with a convicted criminal going to his grave saying he was innocent.
Follow the podcast and join us every other week as we delve into the twists and turns behind the all-time most shocking wine crimes.
For more content from Wine Enthusiast, visit winemag.com.

For many years, the California Central Warehouse was considered a safe place for winemakers and collectors to store wine. With its sturdy three-foot concrete walls, it was thought to be safe from earthquakes, forest fires, and other natural disasters. Until, one day, it all went up in smoke. A fire destroyed 250 million dollars worth of wine, including entire wine libraries, vintages in transit to restaurants, and bottles filled with California history. What sparked this fire? That’s a story of fraud, embezzlement, and deception… with a convicted criminal going to his grave saying he was innocent.
Follow the podcast and join us every other week as we delve into the twists and turns behind the all-time most shocking wine crimes.
For more content from Wine Enthusiast, visit winemag.com.

34 min