Soldera sabateur jailed for fours years over spilt wine

As reported in December, 62,000 litres of Brunello di Montalcino were sabotaged when ten casks were deliberately opened and allowed to spill over the cellar floors. The Soldera winery was suspected of being sabotaged at the time and now a former employee Di Gisi has been sentenced. Many had thought that Soldera had been targeted as a whistleblower. He had been outspoken in the past questioning other producers as a staunch advocate of the rule that allows only 100% Sangiovese in the blend. However the motive for Di Gisi's attack seems to be that he had become jeolous when Soldera appeared to be favouring another employee.

Speaking following Di Gisi's sentencing, Soldera described the damage caused as 'dramatic'. It is thought to have cost several million euros in commercial sales. He added that a limited part of the past six vintages remains intact, and this will be sold in the next few years. The part of the 2006 vintage already bottled at the time of the attack is also safe. The first wine shipments from the estate since the attack will begin at the end of this month.