Nearly 700 hectolitres of Brunello lost in winery raid

FLORENCE, ITALY – Nearly 700 hectolitres of Brunello di Motalcino were lost Sunday in a raid on a winery in the Montalcino wine-growing region near Siena. Unidentified vandals broke into the cellar of the Case Basse estate, opening the taps on barrels and barriques and allowing the contents to drain away.

In total 686 hectolitres of the prestigious red were lost, corresponding to the entire production from 2007 to the present. Nothing is reported to have been stolen from the cellar. Case Basse is a 23-hectare estate of which 6.5 hectares are devoted to vine cultivation. The winery produces 10,000 bottles a year.