$42,000 Worth of Domaine de La Romanée-Conti Stolen from Virginia Restaurant: A Heist to Remember

Christian Borel, the wine director at L’Auberge Provençale, was alarmed on November 19 when two thieves executed a daring heist to steal six bottles of Domaine de La Romanée-Conti, valued at an estimated $42,000. Located in Virginia’s picturesque Shenandoah Valley, the restaurant boasts a cellar of over 5,400 bottles and has earned a Wine Spectator Best of Award of Excellence since 2008.

The robbery unfolded when a man and a woman approached Borel under the pretense of being representatives for a Canadian client interested in evaluating the venue for an event. While their request to see the cellar seemed normal at first, Borel found the duo’s behavior suspicious. The female suspect engaged him with trivial inquiries, distracting him while the male suspect quietly pilfered the prized bottles.

After a quick check post-visit, Borel discovered that several bottles from his collection were missing. His immediate action prompted a spirited response from his staff, who chased the suspects across the property. Borel attempted to stop the male thief, only for him to forcefully shove past and drive off, almost dragging Borel beneath the vehicle. The female suspect, Natali Ray, 56, was thrown from the car during the escape and was apprehended; she now faces grand larceny charges. The male suspect, however, remains at large.

Two of the stolen bottles were later recovered from the grass, but the fate of the remaining six bottles remains uncertain. Borel noted the irony of the youthful vintages taken, emphasizing their inaccessibility for years as they require aging to reach their potential. He fears the culprits may attempt to black market the wines, given the distinct difficulty in reselling such well-known and sought-after items.

For further details on this incident, you can explore Domaine de La Romanée-Conti.

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!