Chris Walker
👤 PersonAppearances Over Time
Podcast Appearances
But even as they began looking into Corvette Company, it also became clear that Michael was just the face of the operation. Corvette was really run by Michael's father, Jack Licciardi. And while the feds didn't know it yet, behind the scenes in California's wine industry, Jack's name carried weight.
But even as they began looking into Corvette Company, it also became clear that Michael was just the face of the operation. Corvette was really run by Michael's father, Jack Licciardi. And while the feds didn't know it yet, behind the scenes in California's wine industry, Jack's name carried weight.
He was incredibly powerful, a man who coordinated the vast movements of grapes around California and whose deals could make or break a winery. His status was legendary. In fact, Jack Licciardi is how I first heard about this story. Like most people, including in the wine industry, I had no idea any of this ever happened.
He was incredibly powerful, a man who coordinated the vast movements of grapes around California and whose deals could make or break a winery. His status was legendary. In fact, Jack Licciardi is how I first heard about this story. Like most people, including in the wine industry, I had no idea any of this ever happened.
Whenever I used to hear the words wine fraud, I'd think of those flashy cases involving rare and expensive bottles. You know the kinds I'm talking about.
Whenever I used to hear the words wine fraud, I'd think of those flashy cases involving rare and expensive bottles. You know the kinds I'm talking about.
His name is Rudy Kurniawan. Rudy Kurniawan, who went to prison for counterfeiting rare wines. This story is not that. It's more universal than some millionaires being duped over stupidly expensive bottles. This involves all of us, a tale about bottles any of us could buy at the corner wine store. And that raises some fundamental questions about trust.
His name is Rudy Kurniawan. Rudy Kurniawan, who went to prison for counterfeiting rare wines. This story is not that. It's more universal than some millionaires being duped over stupidly expensive bottles. This involves all of us, a tale about bottles any of us could buy at the corner wine store. And that raises some fundamental questions about trust.
How much do we really know about the things we buy? If we drink mislabeled wine and don't know it, is anyone really harmed? Do we need to trust what's on a label? Yet even as I began grappling with those questions, a much bigger story revealed itself. One full of plot twists, outsized characters, unsolved mysteries, and the kind of intrigue more often found in movies than real life.
How much do we really know about the things we buy? If we drink mislabeled wine and don't know it, is anyone really harmed? Do we need to trust what's on a label? Yet even as I began grappling with those questions, a much bigger story revealed itself. One full of plot twists, outsized characters, unsolved mysteries, and the kind of intrigue more often found in movies than real life.
Much of it is stranger than fiction. It's all centered around the Lichardi family. And just like when Lapham and his team launched a federal investigation, I'd go from being mildly curious... I think there's something there. to getting sucked into a tale involving car chases, threats, lies, and murder.
Much of it is stranger than fiction. It's all centered around the Lichardi family. And just like when Lapham and his team launched a federal investigation, I'd go from being mildly curious... I think there's something there. to getting sucked into a tale involving car chases, threats, lies, and murder.
And so not only is this story about one of the largest alcohol-related frauds since the 1930s, one implicating America's favorite pink wine, it's also a story about family, honor, justice, and blood.
And so not only is this story about one of the largest alcohol-related frauds since the 1930s, one implicating America's favorite pink wine, it's also a story about family, honor, justice, and blood.
You've been listening to Episode 1 of Blood Vines, a narrative series from Foxopus, Inc., Our executive producers are Laura Krantz and Scott Carney. Story editing is done by Alicia Lincoln and Laura Krantz. Blood Vines is scored and mixed by Louis Weeks. I'm your host and creator, Chris Walker. This podcast was made possible in part by the Fund for Investigative Journalism.
You've been listening to Episode 1 of Blood Vines, a narrative series from Foxopus, Inc., Our executive producers are Laura Krantz and Scott Carney. Story editing is done by Alicia Lincoln and Laura Krantz. Blood Vines is scored and mixed by Louis Weeks. I'm your host and creator, Chris Walker. This podcast was made possible in part by the Fund for Investigative Journalism.
If you're enjoying Blood Vines, please leave us a review wherever you listen to podcasts. And please share it with your friends. It really helps more people find out about our show.
If you're enjoying Blood Vines, please leave us a review wherever you listen to podcasts. And please share it with your friends. It really helps more people find out about our show.