French Wine Theft Trial Centers on 4,000 Bottles Worth Over €2.5 Million

French authorities have requested heavy prison sentences for members of the so-called “gang des grands crus,” a group accused of stealing and trafficking thousands of bottles of prestigious wine from Bordeaux and Burgundy. The case is being heard in Bordeaux, where twelve defendants are on trial for their alleged roles in a series of high-profile wine thefts that took place between 2019 and 2020.

The main suspect, a 34-year-old man from the Gironde region with a criminal record that includes about twenty prior convictions, faces at least ten years in prison if convicted. Prosecutors allege he orchestrated the thefts of more than 4,000 bottles from thirteen different wine cellars and warehouses in the Bordeaux area. The estimated value of the stolen wine exceeds 2.5 million euros. Investigators say wiretaps and other evidence point to him as the leader who gave orders to others involved in the crimes. Stolen bottles were reportedly found at his residence.

Other defendants face significant sentences as well. Prosecutors have asked for at least eight years in prison for another man suspected of participating in eight burglaries, and three years—half suspended—for a third alleged thief. A 60-year-old Chinese restaurateur, described by prosecutors as the main fence for the stolen goods, could receive six years in prison and a fine of 25,000 euros if convicted. Additional defendants face sentences ranging from one year in prison to two years suspended, along with fines.

The stolen wines include some of France’s most celebrated labels: Château d’Yquem, Lafite Rothschild, Angélus, Petrus, Château Margaux, Cheval Blanc from Bordeaux, as well as Romanée-Conti from Burgundy. Rare bottles of whisky were also seized during the investigation.

The case began to unravel at the end of 2020 when police targeted several groups suspected of involvement in the thefts. Some suspects were tried separately. In 2021, authorities dismantled a network believed to be responsible for selling the stolen wine through wholesalers and restaurants in the Paris region. Many of those implicated were Chinese merchants and restaurateurs.

Legal proceedings have been complicated by procedural issues. In April 2023, an initial trial was postponed due to irregularities in the judge’s referral order. After more than two years of legal wrangling, hearings finally began this week before the Bordeaux appeals court. Because there was no first-instance judgment on the substance of the case, defense lawyers argue that their clients’ rights have been violated—they say their clients have been deprived of their right to appeal. The defense has appealed to France’s highest court, but no decision has yet been made.

The trial has drawn attention both for its scale and for the value and rarity of the wines involved. The outcome is being closely watched by wine producers and collectors across France and beyond.