Somewhere between $450,000 to $750,000 in
wine has been stolen from a Cawston winery.
RCMP released information about the wine
heist, which happened sometime around May 22, on
Tuesday morning to the Keremeos Review.
Const. Joe Bayda said the RCMP was not releasing
the name of the winery at this time citing privacy
concerns.
Approximately 7,000 units of three-litre bags of
wine were stolen.
“No labels were
affixed to the bags at the
time of the theft; however,
these bags are unique
to the area and should
stand out if seen,” Bayda
wrote in an email.
Bayda said the owner
does have insurance.
Rumours about a significant
wine heist have
circulated in the community
since the end of May.
Police did not provide
details when asked previously
by the Review.
Bayda said a shift in
responsibilities at the
detachment and time
constraints regarding the
collection of details for a
media release contributed to the delay.
Police have no leads as to whether the wine is
still in the area or has been transported somewhere
else in the province, country or overseas.
Depending on the winery and retail costs that
amount of wine could represent an entire vintage.
A winery must submit a floor plan to the Liquor
Control Licensing Branch to receive a licence to
make commercial quantities of wine.
The winery must state whether they will store the
wine on-site or off-site.
Given the circumstances the winery most likely
would not be reprimanded for having its wine stolen.
If you have information please call the Keremeos
RCMP at (250) 499-5511 and quote file 2015-580 or
to remain anonymous call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-
222-8477 (TIPS).