Introducing: Blood Vines

Summary

Podcast Summary: Ghost Story – Episode "Introducing: Blood Vines"

Introduction to Blood Vines

In the premiere episode titled "Introducing: Blood Vines," host Chris Walker invites listeners into the intricate and tumultuous world of the Licciardi family, a once-dominant wine dynasty in California. Released on February 13, 2025, this episode sets the stage for a gripping true crime narrative that intertwines family legacy, industry fraud, and murder.

Setting the Scene

Chris Walker opens the episode by establishing the backdrop of California's Central Valley, a region synonymous with wine production. He describes the Licciardi family's influence, detailing how their empire nearly toppled the entire wine industry due to a fierce battle over succession. Walker's metaphor of "uncorking" a story laden with "notes of fraud" immediately signals the intertwining of elegance and deception that characterizes the tale ahead.

Unveiling the Crime

The narrative swiftly delves into a specific incident dated June 11, 2021, where a federal investigator recounts witnessing the aftermath of a murder. The victim was killed with a .22 caliber bullet to the head—an unusually mafia-esque method for the crime at hand ([04:32]). This method starkly contrasts with the victim's initial involvement in a multi-million dollar scam during the 1980s, which had already sent shockwaves through California's wine industry.

The White Zinfandel Scam

At the heart of the Licciardi family's downfall is the White Zinfandel scandal. Described as "not even really wine" but rather a "pop drink with alcohol," White Zinfandel became America's top-selling wine despite its poor reception among connoisseurs ([05:14]). Federal investigators initially dismissed the widespread fraud associated with this product, viewing it as a trivial issue compared to other high-stakes cases they handled.

A federal investigator notes, "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" ([05:22]). This statement underscores the unanticipated depth of the scandal, which went beyond mere financial fraud to influence the very fabric of the wine industry.

Betrayal and Murder

As the episode progresses, Walker reveals how the success of White Zinfandel inadvertently paved the way for deeper malfeasance within the industry. The Licciardi family's internal conflicts and deceitful practices led to a toxic environment where betrayal was rampant. This internal strife culminated in the murder of a key figure connected to both the fraud case and the family's dark secrets.

Walker reflects on his investigative journey, stating, "From Foxapus Inc. This is Blood Vines" ([07:58]), signaling a deep dive into the tangled web of corruption that threatened to destroy the Licciardi legacy.

Insights from Experts and Investigators

Throughout the episode, various experts and investigators provide their perspectives:

• Wine Expert: Describes White Zinfandel dismissively as "just pop drink with alcohol," highlighting the industry's initial underestimation of its impact.

• Wine Critic: Comments on the drink’s cultural reception, acknowledging its role as a "gateway drug to better wines" despite its lackluster quality.

• Federal Investigator: Offers insight into the procedural challenges, noting, "There was always this sense that you couldn't really trust what was in the field" ([06:47]), indicating systemic issues within the investigation processes.

These testimonials enrich the narrative, providing a multifaceted view of the scandal and its repercussions.

The Untold Story and Walker's Investigation

Chris Walker positions himself as the relentless seeker of truth, determined to uncover the connections between the Licciardi family's criminal activities and the unsolved murder. He hints at uncovering "stones left unturned" and "questions unanswered," promising listeners an in-depth exploration of a "parable of greed" that has remained largely hidden from the public eye.

Conclusion and Teaser for What's to Come

As the episode draws to a close, Walker invites listeners to "pour yourself a glass" and join him in unraveling the complex tale of deception, betrayal, and murder that threatens to shake the foundations of California's wine industry. The concluding remarks set the tone for a series that promises to blend rich historical context with the suspense of a true crime saga.

Notable Quotes:

• Chris Walker ([00:00]): "Get ready for a whole new vintage of true crime."

• Margarita ([02:09]): "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."

• Federal Investigator ([04:32]): "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."

• Wine Critic ([05:16]): "It's not even really wine. It's just pop drink with alcohol."

• Chris Walker ([07:35]): "About deception and betrayal."

Key Takeaways:

• Complex Web of Fraud and Murder: The episode intricately weaves together the Licciardi family's fraudulent activities with the violent murder, suggesting a direct link between their pursuit of power and lethal consequences.

• Impact on the Wine Industry: The White Zinfandel scandal serves as a catalyst for broader industry corruption, revealing vulnerabilities that allowed such deceit to flourish.

• Investigative Depth: Walker's commitment to uncovering the truth highlights the challenges faced by investigators and the often-overlooked nuances of white-collar crimes turning deadly.

• Engaging Storytelling: The narrative employs vivid descriptions and firsthand accounts, enhancing the immersive experience and setting the stage for future episodes.

Conclusion

"Introducing: Blood Vines" serves as a compelling entry point into the Licciardi family's downfall, blending the allure of the wine world with the dark undercurrents of fraud and murder. Chris Walker's meticulous storytelling promises a series that not only entertains but also sheds light on the hidden perils lurking beneath California's celebrated 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.

[Narrator]

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. Cheers.

[Narrator]

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.

[Margarita]

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.

[Narrator]

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.

[Margarita]

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.

[Narrator]

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

[Margarita]

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.

[Narrator]

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.

[Margarita]

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.

[Narrator]

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.

[Narrator]

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.

[Wine Expert]

This is what I call an eye roll drink.

[Wine Critic]

It's not even really wine. It's just pop drink with alcohol. When you're talking about white Zin, I.

[Federal Investigator]

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.

[Narrator]

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.

[Federal Investigator]

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

[Wine Critic]

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.

[Narrator]

So pour yourself a glass and join me because I'm going to tell you a story.

[Wine Expert]

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.

[Narrator]

About stuff like that, about a family and its secrets.

[Wine Critic]

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

[Narrator]

About deception and betrayal.

[Wine Expert]

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

[Narrator]

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

[Federal Investigator]

This is a big fraud, multimillion dollar.

[Narrator]

Franchise before it brought down a wine dynasty.

[Wine Expert]

I mean, the scandal takes on its own life.

[Narrator]

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.

[Promotional Voice]

Follow Ghost story on the Wondery app. You can binge the entire series exclusively and ad free right now by joining Wondery plus in the Wondery app, Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Before you go, tell us about yourself and why you listen by completing a short [e-mail] survey.