FRANCE: Romanee-Conti winery in blackmail sting

By just-drinks.com editorial team | 7 May 2010

Blackmailer threatened to poison vines

A blackmailer threatened to poison vines at one of Burgundy's most famous wineries, Romanee-Conti, unless it agreed to pay EUR1m, according to a local report.

Romanee-Conti received a series of letters threatening its world-renowned vines unless it agreed to pay up.

Aubert de Villaine, co-manager of the Romanee-Conti estate, told the Agence France Presse newswire yesterday (6 May) that police arrested a suspect on 22 February.

He said that the letters instructed management to leave the money at a nearby cemetery.

Romanee-Conti is regularly a top seller at some of the world's most prestigious fine wine auctions.

Sectors: Wine