Thieves steal about 30,000 bottles of wine from Antinori facility near Cortona, Italy

Thieves stole about 30,000 bottles of wine from a Marchesi Antinori facility near Cortona, in the province of Arezzo in Tuscany. CBS News and The Boston Globe reported that the producer described it as Italy's largest wine theft on record, while a company statement quoted by CNN said it may rank among the largest wine thefts ever reported. Estimates of the value differ: CNN put it at more than $5 million, The Wall Street Journal at $5.6 million, and CBS News and The Boston Globe at $5.8 million. [ 1 , 3 , 4 , 5 ]

Chief executive Renzo Cotarella said the thieves disabled the alarm system and surveillance cameras before entering with two large trucks, then loaded them using the company's forklifts and fled during the night. CBS News and The Boston Globe reported that a group of at least seven thieves carried out the theft on Saturday night; CNN said it took place at the weekend. It was discovered on Monday, when workers arrived to prepare the wine for export, CNN reported. The wine was boxed and packaged for shipment, which made it easier to remove. The company made the theft public on Friday to avoid interfering with the investigation. [ 1 , 3 , 4 , 5 ]

The stolen bottles were all from the 2023 vintage and retail for between 150 and 500 euros each. They included Solaia, Tignanello and Guado al Tasso, which Cotarella called "the most icon(ic) wines we have." About 10,000 bottles of Solaia were taken; CNN reported that 60,000 to 70,000 bottles of Solaia are produced each year. [ 1 , 4 , 5 ]

No arrests have been made, CNN reported. Cortona police said they were conducting an extensive manhunt but would not say whether they believe the two trucks were still in Italy. Police and Carabinieri officers are examining surveillance footage and other evidence, The Boston Globe reported. Cotarella said he was confident investigators could trace the shipment, noting that two truckloads of wine would be difficult to move without attracting attention. [ 1 , 5 ]

The company said it was alerting customers worldwide to be wary of offers outside official sales channels. According to CNN, Cotarella said the company is urging consumers not to buy the wines from unknown sellers and to report any that appear on the market. [ 1 , 4 , 5 ]

"It is certainly a very well-prepared gang," Cotarella said, adding that it may be the same group that has targeted other Italian wineries in recent months. CNN reported that last month 3,000 bottles of Barolo worth around 400,000 euros were stolen from the Conterno Fantino vineyard in Piedmont, and said it is unclear whether the thefts are connected. CBS News cited Wine Spectator as reporting that 3,300 bottles were stolen from Castello Banfi in July. Antinori was founded in 1385 and has been run by the Antinori family for 26 generations. [ 1 , 4 , 5 ]