Recurring Acts: Vandals Strike Wineries Once More

An intruder caused an estimated $2.7 million wine loss in the cellars of Spain’s Cepa 21; meanwhile, in Washington state, a suspect accused of targeting Sparkman Cellars was apprehended by authorities.

A perpetrator was caught causing $2.7 million worth of damage in the cellars of Spain’s Cepa 21. They opened the valves on three tanks and let loose wine from the 2023 vintage, yet another unsettling instance of deliberate acts of vandalism at wineries.

In Washington state, police managed to arrest a suspect who was allegedly targeting Sparkman Cellars. But who is suspected of orchestrating this crime?

An unwelcome visitor managed to gain entry to Bodegas Cepa 21, a prestigious winery tucked away in Spain’s Ribera del Duero appellation. The event occurred in the early hours of Feb. 18. The suspected criminal brought about the destruction of wine valued at about $2.7 million, amounting to more than 6,600 cases.

On a Sunday morning, an unknown individual was seen on security cameras making their way into the tank room of the winery, Cepa 21. In spite of the installed security system, they were able to open the valves on three tanks, causing over 60,000 liters of the 2023 vintage wine to be lost. This included the entirety of the winery’s top Horcajo bottle, plus parts of other cuvées.

What happened is seen as a direct attack against not only Cepa 21, but also the entire wine sector and its way of life, as per José Moro, the president of the winery, when speaking to Wine Spectator. He voiced his confidence that, despite the incident, they will weather this storm and continue to enjoy success, taking solace in the quality of their products.

An investigation is currently underway by Spanish authorities. Despite being unable to share any insight on the ongoing investigation, a spokesperson for the winery expressed their complete trust in these officials’ work and the belief that the individual responsible will soon be identified. They also hinted at exploring ways to further enhance the winery’s security. Despite the significant loss of wine and subsequent loss of revenue, the winery is already on the move to meet markets demands.

The video footage has shed light on the possibility that someone who possesses knowledge of the winery and how to manipulate the valves may be responsible. This suggests that the individual may have some familiarity with how the winery operates. This hypothesis is backed by an incident that took place at Sparkman Cellars in Washington state on November 22, 2023, where the intruder had detailed knowledge on how to gain access to the winery using a keypad at one of the entrances and successfully managed to open several tanks, resulting in a loss of 4,800 gallons (which is equivalent to about 1,800 cases) of Sauvignon Blanc.

On the evening of February 21, the local authorities apprehended a one-time worker of Sparkman on suspicion of burglary. The alleged intruder, a 60-something man, is looking at charges of second-degree burglary. Due to no formal charge file from the office of the King County prosecutor, county sheriff’s spokesman, Eric White, refrained from disclosing the suspect’s identity.

The winery’s security cameras had picked up a masked person intruding at around half past 10 on the night prior to Thanksgiving. The intruder got in via a locked door on the side then moved to the fermentation vat room, before going out of sight. Shortly after, a flood of wine was seen covering the floor. The individual emptied two filled fermenters, each estimated to hold about $600,000 worth of wine.

The husband and wife duo, Chris and Kelly Sparkman, who own the winery chose not to comment. They diverted all questions to the King County Sheriff Department. “We are grateful that Woodinville’s police force was on hand to assist Sparkman Cellars recoup from this massive loss,” were the exact words of police head B.J. Myers. “Our investigators treated this case with the seriousness required and didn’t leave any stone unturned to discover and nab this individual.”

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About the Author: Chris Lehoux

Meet Chris Lehoux, an experienced wine connoisseur and dedicated blogger with a deep passion for all things wine-related. With years of expertise in the industry, Chris shares insightful wine reviews, valuable wine tasting tips, expert pairing advice, and captivating tales of vineyard visits. Join Chris on a journey through the world of wine, where every sip is an adventure waiting to be savored!