111. True Wine Crime - The DRC Blackmail Scandal
About this episode
Joanne Close explores the audacious blackmail attempt against Domaine de la Romanée-Conti and its implications for the wine world.
Episode 111: True Wine Crime - The DRC Blackmail Scandal Host: Joanne Close Episode Length: 10:53 Release Date: May 14th 2026 Join the Wine Educate Newsletter Get wine tips, episode updates, and exclusive content delivered to your inbox. Subscribe at https://mailchi.mp/6648859973ba/newsletter Episode Description In this episode Joanne dives into one of the most audacious crimes in wine history - the blackmail attempt against Domaine de la Romanée-Conti, Burgundy's most legendary and sought-after estate. In January 2010, the director of DRC received an anonymous package at his home containing a hand-drawn map of the vineyard with specific vines marked for destruction. It was the beginning of a criminal scheme that would shake the entire wine world. What followed was a story involving poisoned vines, a hidden bunker in the woods, fake ransom money, a graveyard sting operation, and questions that were never fully answered. Joanne walks through the full story from the initial threat to the arrest, and explains why this crime hit Burgundy so much harder than a stolen bottle or a counterfeit label ever could. The episode also looks at the broader implications - what the crime revealed…
People in this episode
Host: Joanne Close
Topics covered
- wine crime
- blackmail scandal
- Domaine de la Romanée-Conti
- Burgundy wine
- vineyard protection
Keywords
- wine crime
- blackmail
- Domaine de la Romanée-Conti
- Burgundy
- vineyard security
- poisoned vines
- criminal scheme
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: Domaine de la Romanée-Conti
Places: Burgundy
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