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Antinori Reports 30,000-Bottle, €5 Million Solaia Theft

By Drooid · Oct 9, 2026, 3:50 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Marchesi Antinori Heist

Marchesi Antinori reported thieves stole 30,000 bottles of wine valued at about €5 million.
Seven masked men disabled alarms, used company forklifts and loaded two trucks during October 2-4, 2026.
CEO Renzo Cotarella called it Italy’s largest wine heist, noting road-camera footage may trace the trucks.
The theft follows recent Italian wine robberies, with the company’s insurance not covering losses of this magnitude.

Summary

Antinori Warns Buyers

Antinori warned global customers to officially reject any Solaia offers that bypass official sales channels.
Only 60,000-70,000 Solaia bottles are produced each year, so the theft could significantly tighten supply and raise prices globally.
CEO Renzo Cotarella said moving 30,000 bottles worldwide without detection would be extremely difficult for thieves.

History

Historical Context

After the 1936 AOC law required Bordeaux wines to display their origin, the 1970s oil crisis and a 1981 inheritance-tax hike strained châteaux, drawing insurers and banks into the trade. The 2005 Plan Bordeaux called for removing 17,000 hectares to curb oversupply. Those pressures preceded the 1985 Lafite Rothschild theft and the 2026 Antinori Solaia heist, prompting modern security reforms.

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Marchesi Antinori Heist

Marchesi Antinori reported thieves stole 30,000 bottles of wine valued at about €5 million.
Seven masked men disabled alarms, used company forklifts and loaded two trucks during October 2-4, 2026.
CEO Renzo Cotarella called it Italy’s largest wine heist, noting road-camera footage may trace the trucks.
The theft follows recent Italian wine robberies, with the company’s insurance not covering losses of this magnitude.

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