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News
‘Irreplaceable’ library stocks stolen from Col d’Orcia
About 1,000 bottles of Brunello di Montalcino from one of the region’s famed wineries, Col d’Orcia, were stolen last week, including some “irreplaceable” library stocks dating back to 1960s.
In an email sent to the winery’s Hong Kong importer, Watson’s Wine, the winery detailed all the bottles lost during the theft at its winery shop, including a vertical of Brunello di Montalicino Riservas from the 1964 to 1968 vintages, as well as treasured vintages from the 1970s, 1980s, 1990s, 2000s and 2010s all in 750ml format (except for some 2012 Brunello in both 375ml and 750 formats).
Additionally, two of its single vineyard Brunellos were among the stolen bottles including the 2011 and 2012 vintages of ‘Nastagio’ Brunello, and a huge haul of ‘Poggio al Vento’ Brunello Riservas from 1982 to 2010, the winery said. The latter is only produced in the best years. Most of the ‘Poggio al Vento’ Brunello Riservas are in 750ml format except for the 2004, 2008 and 2010 vintages, which also come in 1.5 litre bottlings.
“Sadly, many of these bottles are irreplaceable, including Brunello Riserva 1964, Poggio al Vento Brunello Riserva 1990, 1997, 1999 plus many others,” wrote Paola Tealdi of the winery, “Not a single bottle of Brunello, not even in the current vintage, remained in the shop.”
Nicola Giannetti in an email reply to dbHK singled out the 1964 Brunello Riserva in particular, saying it’s a special wine that was served to former US first lady Michelle Obama on her visit to Tuscany last year.
The wine shop is located next to the winery near the Orcia River, which marks the south-west border of the Brunello di Montalcino.
It’s understood at the moment that the bottles carry no particular signs, back label or lot/bottle numbers.
The total value of the stolen wines is estimated to exceed US$100,000, said Giannetti.
Other bottles lost during the theft include ‘Olmaia’ Sant’Antimo Cabernet 2013, ‘Banditella’ Rosso di Montalcino 2014 (both are magnums) and IGT Toscana Pinot Grigio 2017.
Police are investigating the case, and the winery has informed its global importers and distributors about the theft.