In Beaune, France, a 57-year-old man was sentenced to one year of suspended imprisonment and fined €10,000 for theft. The man had allegedly been stealing from his employers for 15 years.
In what is considered one of the largest wine cellar thefts in French history, the father of three was convicted on August 6, 2024. According to "Revue de vin de France," the man was arrested in February after being caught on surveillance camera stealing four wine bottles from his employer, Albert Bichot. He was placed under judicial supervision.
During a search of his home and his mother's house, the police discovered a large stockpile of 7,000 bottles, many of which were from Bichot. Others were identified as coming from the man’s previous employers, including Maison Joseph Drouhin. Among the stolen bottles were 1,285 Grand Crus, primarily from Vosne-Romanée, with an average bottle price of €71.
The man had not opened or sold a single bottle. When questioned, he stated that he simply enjoyed looking at them. His lawyer pointed out that he had been diagnosed with a compulsive urge to steal, describing him as "half kleptomaniac, half collector." Known for being discreet and reliable, the man worked as a maintenance technician, which gave him access to all secured areas.
According to the wine magazine "Decanter," the Albert Bichot winery requested only a symbolic compensation of €1 and referred to the man as a "valued, dedicated employee." SP
