Thieves reportedly stole around 30,000 bottles of premium wine worth approximately €5 million ($5.8 million) from one of Italy’s most prestigious wine producers, Marchesi Antinori, in an overnight heist in Tuscany. The gang allegedly disabled security systems before using the winery’s own forklifts to load the bottles onto two trucks and escape. The theft took place at a logistics facility near Cortona, with the loss discovered by employees on October 5, 2026. The stolen shipment reportedly included the 2023 vintages of three celebrated wines: Solaia, Tignanello and Guado al Tasso. Investigators are examining how the thieves carried out the operation and whether they had advance information about the shipment.
How the thieves pulled off the heist
The theft reportedly took place during the night of October 3–4 at a facility associated with Marchesi Antinori near Cortona, in Italy’s Tuscany region. According to media reports, at least seven masked individuals entered the premises and disabled security measures before beginning the operation.Rather than bringing their own loading equipment, the thieves allegedly used forklifts belonging to the winery to move the bottles onto two trucks. The operation reportedly lasted around three hours, suggesting that the group had planned how to transport the large quantity of wine.Employees discovered the missing stock when they arrived at the facility on Monday, October 5. The company subsequently coordinated with investigators before the incident became public several days later.
Which wines were stolen?
The stolen shipment reportedly contained approximately 30,000 bottles from three premium labels produced by the Antinori wine group. All three are associated with the 2023 vintage and have established reputations among wine enthusiasts and collectors.Solaia: A flagship wine produced at Antinori’s Tignanello estate, known for its blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Sangiovese and Cabernet Franc.Tignanello: One of the wines credited with helping establish the Super Tuscan movement, combining Sangiovese with international grape varieties.Guado al Tasso: A prestigious red wine produced at Antinori’s estate in Bolgheri, on the Tuscan coast, using varieties including Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc.Reports have put the quantities of the individual labels at roughly 10,000 bottles each, although precise breakdowns should be treated cautiously where estimates differ.
What are Super Tuscans?
Super Tuscans are premium wines that emerged when some Tuscan producers began experimenting beyond traditional Italian wine-production rules, particularly those governing grape varieties and blends. Many combine Sangiovese, Tuscany’s signature red grape, with international varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot.These wines helped reshape the international image of Italian winemaking, gaining recognition for their quality, distinctive styles and ageing potential. Solaia and Tignanello are among the best-known names associated with the movement, while Guado al Tasso is celebrated for its connection to Bolgheri’s Cabernet-based reds.The three labels targeted in the theft are among Antinori’s recognised premium offerings, making the shipment valuable not only because of its size but also because of the wines’ established position in the market.
Investigators examine how the operation was planned
The reported disabling of security systems and the use of the winery’s own equipment have raised questions about how the thieves prepared for the raid. Italian media reports said investigators were examining surveillance footage from potential escape routes and considering whether the operation had been commissioned by a buyer.The fact that the stolen bottles were reportedly prepared for export has also drawn attention to the possibility that the thieves knew which stock would be available and when. However, the available reporting does not establish that an employee was involved or confirm that the theft was carried out on behalf of a specific buyer.Investigators are also examining whether the robbery could be connected to other recent wine thefts in Italy. No link between the incidents has been publicly established.
Can the stolen wine be recovered?
Recovering the shipment could prove difficult because premium wine can be distributed through intermediaries and sold in smaller quantities. Investigators may nevertheless be able to use surveillance footage, transport records, packaging details and information from legitimate distributors to trace the stolen stock.The wines’ recognisable labels and vintage could also help alert merchants and collectors to suspicious offers. However, identifying individual bottles may be more difficult if they do not carry unique traceable identifiers.As of October 16, 2026, the credible reports reviewed for this article did not confirm the recovery of the shipment or a confirmed arrest in connection with the heist. The final outcome will depend on the investigation and whether authorities can establish where the two trucks went after leaving the facility.Marchesi Antinori traces its winemaking history to 1385 and remains a family-run business, now in its 26th generation. The company has built an international reputation for its Tuscan wines and distributes its products across global markets.
