Associated Press – British man extradited to US to face federal charges in alleged $99 million wine scam
In AP News, it’s reported that James Wellesley, a 58-year-old British national, has been extradited to the U.S. and arraigned in Brooklyn on wire fraud and money laundering charges tied to an alleged $99 million Ponzi-style wine investment scam operated through Bordeaux Cellars. Prosecutors say he and co-defendant Stephen Burton lured investors between 2017 and 2019 by promising interest on loans backed by high-value wine collections that never existed, and could face up to 20 years in prison if convicted. From the Article:
From 2017 to 2019, they solicited $99 million in investments from residents of New York and other areas, promising their clients that they would profit from interest on the loans.
But the wealthy wine collectors did not exist, no loans were made, and Bordeaux Cellars did not have custody of the wine securing the loans, prosecutors say.
SevenFifty Daily – Two Winemakers’ Hunt for Champagne’s Forgotten Bottles
SevenFifty Daily has an article about Juliette Alips and Rodolphe Péters, in what feels like Champagne’s answer to “Antiques Roadshow”—scouring dusty cellars for long-lost bottles they didn’t make but are now proudly bottling and selling under their own labels. It’s part treasure hunt, part time capsule, with a side of ethical eyebrow-raising. From the Article:
This type of production is possible thanks to French law: “If we look at the law, the winemaker is the person who disgorges the bottle,” explains Juliette Alips, the winemaker for Domaine Les Monts Fournois. Even so, this practice is a fairly hush-hush part of the industry…
Perhaps, Shiners in Champaign, would be a good title for the article.
Wine Business – Tech Tools for Wineries to Take on DTC Challenges
Over at Wine Business, Sarah Bown outlines how rising labor costs are squeezing margins in the direct‑to‑consumer (DTC) wine channel and spotlights an array of tech tools—like AI‑driven CRM, automated fulfillment, and mobile tasting‑room systems—that can help wineries streamline operations and boost profitability. From the Article:
Higher labor costs may be slimming margins in the direct-to-consumer (DTC) channel, but experts say wineries can leverage new technology to offset these costs while still providing consumers with a personalized experience. By using tools like personalized texting, intelligent chat bots and other artificial intelligence tools, winery staff can spend less time on administrative tasks and spend more time connecting with consumers.
Wine Enthusiast – When It’s OK to Send Wine Back (and When it’s Not)
And wrapping up the news. Kelly A. Magyarics, writing for Wine Enthusiast, outlines proper etiquette for sending back wine, distinguishing between legitimate faults—like cork taint, oxidation, or spoilage—and simple personal preference. From the Article:
The most clear-cut situation happens when a wine is unpalatable due to improper storage, poor winemaking or an inherent fault. “It’s completely acceptable to send back a wine if it’s truly flawed,” says Chad Michael George, certified sommelier, founder of Proof Productions and general manager at Bars.com. “Meaning it has been baked or overheated, is tainted with TCA [aka cork taint] or has gone bad in some other way, like being exposed to oxidation.”
Alma Rosa Winery in Solvang, CA
The tasting room in the heart of Solvang, Alma Rosa Winery, blends laid-back charm with a serious dedication to quality. With a vibrant winemaker, welcoming tasting room, and, if you visit the vineyard, sweeping views at their ranch location, Alma Rosa offers a fresh take on Sta. Rita Hills classics without ever feeling stuffy.
2021 Alma Rosa Pinot Noir “El Jabali”
The 2021 vintage of Pinot Noir from the El Jabali vineyard offers a grounded, flavor-forward look at what cool-climate Santa Rita Hills can produce when ripeness and restraint are held in balance. With fruit drawn from a breezy coastal site known for diurnal shifts and marine influence, this bottling leans into both freshness and depth. The result is a structured red with lifted aromatics and the kind of savory profile that rewards both attention and air.
Orla at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas, NV
Orla, Michael Mina’s newest Mediterranean concept, feels like a mini vacation from the moment you step inside. Nestled in Mandalay Bay, it serves up vibrant vegetables, succulent seafood, and perfectly grilled meats with a side of laid-back luxury. The menu is inspired by coastal flavors, and the wine list reads like a passport through the Mediterranean, featuring bottles from Greece, Lebanon, Sicily, and beyond. Add in a top-notch team, including a knowledgeable Somm and a wine director who knows his vintages, and you’ve got the perfect recipe for a memorable evening.
All things wine, and food you could ever need or want — straight to your email!
