The Wine Forgery That Cost a Billionaire $35 Million — And Nobody Went to Jail
Descripción del Episodio
Thomas Jefferson didn't just like wine — he was consumed by it. He walked the vineyards of Bordeaux, shipped Sauternes to George Washington, advised four presidents on what to pour at state dinners, and kept obsessive records of every single bottle he ever purchased. Over three decades, that total reached 20,000 bottles.
So in 1985, when a German wine dealer named Hardy Rodenstock surfaced with bottles of 18th-century wine etched with the initials "T.J." — allegedly discovered behind a bricked-up wall in a Paris building — the story was irresistible. A 1787 Château Lafite went to auction at Christie's and sold to Malcolm Forbes for $156,000. Still the highest price ever paid for a single bottle of wine.
American billionaire Bill Koch bought four more. Then in 2005, he called Monticello to authenticate them — and everything unraveled.
Jefferson's foundation said the bottles had no place in his meticulous records. Forensics experts examined the etched initials and concluded they'd been made with an electric power tool. A Dremel drill. In the 18th century.
Koch spent over $35 million investigating. He sued Rodenstock — whose real name turned out to be Meinhard Görke — sued Christie's, sued auction houses across two continents. Investigators uncovered a label forger in Germany who had been printing fake provenance labels for Rodenstock for years. Rodenstock refused to appear in an American court. A judge ruled against him in absentia. He never paid a cent.
The front label tells you what they want you to know. The back label tells you everything else.
@thebestwinepod
Discover More from The Best 5 Minute Podcast Network:
Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Episodios Recientes
Más podcasts de Sociedad y Cultura
Ver toda la categoría →
Dumb Blonde
By shows
<p>Asking the questions others are afraid to. Bunnie XO host of the Dumb Blonde podcast – the ultimate destination for comedy, trending and lifestyle. Get ready to dive into hilarious discussions about relationships, trauma, embarrassing moments, and all the realness life throws at us. Join Bunnie every week to laugh, relate, and embrace your inner healing.</p>
The Snare
By shows
In 1996, 18-year-old Angie Dodge is found brutally murdered in her Idaho Falls home. Police zero in on a suspect and put a man behind bars. But as the years pass, doubts emerge about whether the real killer was ever caught. Leading the fight for answers is an unlikely advocate: Angie’s own mother, who embarks on a decades-long mission to uncover the truth. A six-part series from 20/20 and ABC Audio, hosted by Maggie Rulli. New episodes Tuesdays.
Joy 101 with Hoda Kotb
By shows
<p>Joy is essential.</p> <p>And it's also elusive. You can't order it, borrow it, or simply hope it into life.</p> <p>But now, there's a new and exciting way to start your journey toward a more joyful existence: The Joy 101 Podcast with Hoda!</p> <p>Best known for her Emmy-winning work and co-anchoring <em>Today,</em> Hoda Kotb infuses her authenticity, curiosity, and warmth into conversations with the world’s most fascinating people. Entertainment legends, sport icons, wellness experts, and everyday folks will share how they find, allow, and experience joy. Hoda will offer her own tips and takes on seeking a more balanced, harmonious life. </p> <p>If you're craving inspiration, support, and useful tools to maximize your joy, tune in to these candid, uplifting, and moving on-air chats.</p> <p>Joy after a breakup, joy as an empty-nester, joy after loss, joy as a caretaker — Hoda's new podcast will speak to you.</p> <p>Joy 101 with Hoda Kotb, an iHeartPodcast.</p>
La Silla: On The Record
By shows
Cada semana contamos movidas de poder en Colombia a través de la voz de sus protagonistas. Un podcast de La Silla Podcasts.
Dinero Más Inteligente
By shows
El dinero no solo se gana, se entiende. <br /> En El Dinero Más Inteligente, Valeria Ovalle presenta la economía y Juan Carlos Herrera la conecta al mundo de inversiones. Una conversación entre razón y estrategia para entender el mundo financiero sin complicaciones. <br /> By GBM <br /> Síguenos en <b><a href="https://www.instagram.com/gbmplus_?igsh=czBzOG5mazBwMmlj&utm_source=qr">Instagram</a><b>.</b></b>
Lo que NO se habla con Fer Flores
By shows
Contenidos para construir una Humanidad con H mayúscula con perspectiva psicoanalista, médica, legal, antropológica y espiritual.
After the Whistle with Brendan Hunt and Rebecca Lowe
By shows
<p>Rebecca Lowe (Fox Sports) and Brendan Hunt (‘Ted Lasso’) are teaming up again to take on the 2026 World Cup! They’ll ride an emotional roller coaster together as 48 teams play 104 action-packed matches across the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. They’ll bring you all the joy and the drama, the hope and the heartbreak — and help you understand the matchups and personalities that will make this the biggest sporting and cultural event of our lifetimes</p><p>‘After the Whistle With Brendan Hunt and Rebecca Lowe’ is an Apple News Original podcast presented by Verizon.</p>
