Introducing: Blood Vines

Summary

American History Tellers – Episode: Introducing: Blood Vines

Release Date: February 13, 2025

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Introduction

In the episode titled "Introducing: Blood Vines," American History Tellers by Wondery unveils its newest true crime series, Blood Vines. Hosted by Chris Walker, this inaugural episode serves as both a launchpad for the series and a tantalizing glimpse into the dark history of California's influential Licciardi family. The episode seamlessly blends promotional content with excerpts from the first episode of Blood Vines, setting the stage for a gripping exploration of power, fraud, and murder within the American wine industry.

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Overview of Blood Vines

Blood Vines delves into the untold story of the Licciardi family, a formidable wine dynasty in California whose internal power struggle nearly dismantled the entire wine industry. The podcast promises a narrative rich with themes of fraud, betrayal, and murder, offering listeners an intricate look at how familial disputes can escalate to catastrophic levels, affecting not only the individuals involved but also the broader industry and society.

Chris Walker introduces the series with vivid imagery:

"Blood Vines is a full-bodied podcast that uncorks the never-before-told story of the Licciardi family, one of the most powerful wine dynasties in California history, who almost brought down the entire industry over a bloody battle for succession."
— Chris Walker [00:00]

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Key Highlights and Excerpts

The episode transitions into a compelling snippet from the first episode of Blood Vines, narrated by Chris Walker and featuring interactions with various characters involved in the Licciardi family saga.

Setting the Scene

The narrative begins on a June 11, 2021, in California's Central Valley, juxtaposing the region's oppressive heat with the cold, clinical atmosphere of the San Joaquin County Superior Courthouse.

"June 11, 2021. It's a stifling hot day in California's Central Valley... the area I've just walked into is cold, clinical, bureaucratic."
— Margarita [00:32]

Examination of Evidence

An investigative journalist explores the case exhibits, revealing harrowing details that paint a picture of violent crime intertwined with industrial fraud.

"So I'm looking at the pillowcase now, which has dried bodily fluid on it and looks kind of brown and crusty... might be blood, might be other bodily fluid."
— Investigative Journalist [02:09]

Discovery of Hidden Clues

Unexpected findings, such as a paper lunch bag filled with audio cassette tapes, hint at deeper layers of deception and corruption within the wine industry.

"There are a few surprises like when the clerk produces a paper lunch bag full of audio cassette tapes. I'm going to need copies of those."
— Margarita [02:51]

Connection to a Larger Fraud Case

The narrative reveals that the murder victim was embroiled in a multi-million dollar scam in the 1980s, shaking the foundations of California's wine economy.

"Before his death, the victim was just one person under investigation for a multi-million dollar scam in the 1980s."
— Chris Walker [03:20]

Insights from Authorities and Experts

Federal investigators and wine experts provide critical perspectives on the nature of the fraud and its impact on the industry.

"It's just pop drink with alcohol. When you're talking about white Zin, I..."
— Federal Investigator [05:18]

"Actually didn't like it as a wine. But I think white Zinfandel was kind of a gateway drug to better wines in some ways."
— Wine Expert [05:22]

Unveiling Industry Scandals

The episode uncovers the pervasive fraud surrounding White Zinfandel, mocking its reception among wine aficionados while highlighting its role in the industry's deceptive practices.

"White Zinfandel, the Fed's case centered around a pink drink with notes of jolly Ranchers that once was, to the embarrassment of many, America's top-selling wine."
— Margarita [05:31]

The Mafia Connection

Hints of mafia involvement suggest that the Licciardi family's influence might extend beyond mere business, adding a layer of organized crime to the narrative.

"We all felt that the family, being the mafia, were covering up something big."
— Federal Investigator [07:26]

The Collapse of a Dynasty

Internal betrayal and external pressures converge, leading to the near-collapse of the Licciardi wine empire.

"They both totally disappointed him. They broke his heart. They broke his spirit."
— Industry Insider [07:38]

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Notable Quotes with Attribution and Timestamps

• Chris Walker [00:00]:
  "Blood Vines is a full-bodied podcast that uncorks the never-before-told story of the Licciardi family..."

• Margarita [02:51]:
  "There are a few surprises like when the clerk produces a paper lunch bag full of audio cassette tapes..."

• Federal Investigator [05:18]:
  "It's just pop drink with alcohol. When you're talking about white Zin, I..."

• Wine Expert [05:22]:
  "Actually didn't like it as a wine. But I think white Zinfandel was kind of a gateway drug to better wines in some ways."

• Federal Investigator [07:26]:
  "We all felt that the family, being the mafia, were covering up something big."

• Industry Insider [07:38]:
  "They both totally disappointed him. They broke his heart. They broke his spirit."

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Concluding Insights

"Introducing: Blood Vines" effectively sets the stage for a riveting exploration of the Licciardi family's tumultuous legacy in California's wine industry. Through meticulous storytelling and the integration of firsthand accounts, the episode promises to unravel a complex tapestry of ambition, deceit, and violence that not only shaped an industry but also left an indelible mark on American history. Listeners are left anticipating a deep dive into a story that intertwines the elegance of winemaking with the darkest facets of human nature.

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Final Thoughts

For enthusiasts of true crime and American history, Blood Vines offers a unique lens into how personal vendettas and systemic fraud can intertwine to create monumental shifts within an industry. Hosted by Chris Walker, whose investigative prowess shines through, the podcast is poised to become a must-listen series for those curious about the hidden narratives that have shaped modern America.

Join the journey by subscribing to Blood Vines exclusively on Wondery and delve into the shadows that lurk behind the vineyards.

Transcript

[Chris Walker]

Get ready for a whole new vintage of true crime. I'm Chris Walker, host of the new podcast Blood Vines. Available exclusively on Wondery. Blood Vines is a full bodied podcast that uncorks the never before told story of the Licciardi family, one of the most powerful wine dynasties in California history, who almost brought down the entire industry over a bloody battle for succession. Grab a glass of your favorite wine and join me as we dive into a story that has notes of fraud.

[Margarita]

And betrayal capped off with a big murder.

[Chris Walker]

I'm about to play you a clip from the first episode of Blood Vines. You can listen to all episodes right now on wondery.

[Margarita]

Cheers. June 11, 2021 It's a stifling hot day in California's Central Valley. The air feels thick and heat shimmers above the ground, but the area I've just walked into is cold, clinical, bureaucratic. I pull out my phone to record a voice memo.

[Investigative Journalist]

Okay, so I just got to the San Joaquin County Superior Courthouse to view the case exhibits. We're going to go through them in the order that they were presented at trial and we'll see what comes up here.

[Margarita]

I'm in a private room off the courthouse's second floor lobby and spread out before me on tables are envelopes, bags and boxes. A legal clerk named Margarita stands among them, wearing gloves. She doesn't want me to record her while she gives instructions, but they are as follows. I'm not to touch anything. I'm not to take photos. She will handle each piece of evidence so I can observe it. And yes, she says, I can record voice memos as I view the items. I'm nervous and excited. While I've read a lot about the evidence presented in this room, I've never seen any of it for myself. We start going through the case exhibits and Margarita looks a little grossed out. I can't blame her.

[Investigative Journalist]

So I'm looking at the pillowcase now, which has dried bodily fluid on it and looks kind of brown and crusty. And there's a floral print pattern with some dried brown stuff in the corner. Might be blood, might be other bodily fluid.

[Margarita]

Next comes a cotton sweater, its backside definitely dark with blood. There's a towel, a spent bullet casing, the murder weapon.

[Investigative Journalist]

It's the body of a Colt.45, but it's a.22, so it doesn't look like a.22, even though it is a small caliber gun, but yeah, kind of like a blue steel with wooden grips on the side.

[Margarita]

So far, most everything matches the police reports. There are a few Surprises like when the clerk produces a paper lunch bag full of audio cassette tapes. I'm going to need copies of those. And then, well, I'm not prepared for what comes next.

[Investigative Journalist]

Quick recording here. So I'm being presented with some of the photos, which is really quite striking to see for the first time. Having only read lots of descriptions of.

[Margarita]

This, it's the murder scene. And as I take in the details, it's the little things that get me. The crooked angle of the victim's neck. The way the man lies backwards, one leg straight, the other knee bent on a sofa. The expression on his face, peaceful, relaxed, unsuspecting. The photograph's grainy quality only adds to the eeriness. But I am also unsettled for a different reason. After years of searching, I think I finally know who killed him. My name is Chris Walker. I'm an investigative journalist. And for almost half a decade now I've been researching how the man in the photograph was connected to an entirely different case. A fraud case. You see, before his death, the victim was just one person under investigation for a multi million dollar scam in the 1980s. It sent ripples through one of California's most iconic industries. But no one thought that case would turn violent. The murder caught everyone off guard, including, as I was learning, federal investigators.

[Federal Investigator]

I was sitting in my family room watching the evening news. A spot came on about a murder and he was murdered with a.22 caliber bullet to the head, which is a very mafia type way of doing it.

[Margarita]

But the feds weren't looking into the mafia, or at least they didn't think they were. No, they'd been looking into a case involving wine. Lots and lots of wine sent from the heart of grape country to living rooms across America. We're talking about one of the largest scams in California history, affecting millions of bottles. But here's the thing. It's not like these bottles were top shelf wine. This is what I call an eye roll drink. It's not even really wine.

[Federal Investigator]

It's just pop drink with alcohol. When you're talking about white Zin, I.

[Wine Expert]

Actually didn't like it as a wine. But I think white Zinfandel was kind of a gateway drug to better wines in some ways.

[Margarita]

White Zinfandel, the Fed's case centered around a pink drink with notes of jolly Ranchers that once was, to the embarrassment of many, America's top selling wine. This is the sugary sensation that birthed Americans obsession with turning countless drinkers onto pink wines. Even though from the get go, Snobs saw the drink as kitsch in federal investigators. While they could see fraud developing all around White Zinn, they didn't think the stakes were all that high. Some went so far as to call the investigation a joke. But what they couldn't anticipate is that this sweet drink would develop a sour history. Its unexpected success led the wine industry down a dark path. Because fraud is one thing, but murder? What might have been a pop culture scam set in the fast and frivolous 80s turned into something shocking. Many stones were left unturned, questions unanswered. But I've been on the hunt for those answers and am about to reveal the full story for the very first time. It's a parable of greed that hardly anyone knows about, and the wine industry would prefer to keep it that way.

[Wine Expert]

There was always this sense that you couldn't really trust what was in the field.

[Margarita]

As time went on, you heard stories about a lot of different people and wineries involved in it. People have fought over it and died over it and made lots of wine over it. So pour yourself a glass and join me because I'm going to tell you a story.

[Industry Insider]

It's quite a curious story of that crazy deal with the grapes and all that stuff. They were saying they stashed the money and I mean, there's just all these theories that went around, man, about stuff.

[Margarita]

Like that, about a family and its secrets.

[Federal Investigator]

We all felt that the family, being the mafia, were covering up something big.

[Margarita]

About deception and betrayal.

[Industry Insider]

They both totally disappointed him. They broke his heart. They broke his spirit.

[Margarita]

And a scandal that threatened the integrity of an entire industry.

[Federal Investigator]

This is a big fraud, multimillion dollar.

[Margarita]

Franchise before it brought down a wine dynasty. I mean, the scandal takes on its own life. From Foxapus Inc. This is Blood Vines.

[Chris Walker]

Thirsty for more. Follow Blood Vines wherever you listen to your podcasts and binge all episodes right now, exclusively on Wondery. Start your free trial now by joining Wondery in the Wondery app, Apple podcasts, or Spotify.