Introducing: Blood Vines

Summary

Blood Vines: A Deep Dive into California’s Wine Dynasty and Its Dark Secrets

"Blood Vines" is an enthralling true-crime podcast hosted by investigative journalist Chris Walker, exclusively available on Wondery. This inaugural episode introduces listeners to the Licciardi family, one of California’s most influential wine dynasties, whose quest for power and succession spiraled into a web of fraud, betrayal, and murder.

Introduction to Blood Vines

Chris Walker sets the stage for a gripping narrative that intertwines the glamour of the wine industry with the sinister undercurrents of crime.

“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]

The Crime: Murder and Fraud

The core of the story revolves around the mysterious murder of Roy Radin, a prominent variety show producer, whose death not only shocked Hollywood but also exposed a massive fraud within the wine industry.

Discovery of the Body

On June 10, 1983, Roy Radin’s decomposing body was found in a desolate canyon near Los Angeles. Initially identified as John Doe #94, Radin was last seen meeting with Lanie Jacobs, a pivotal figure in the unfolding drama.

The Connection to White Zinfandel Fraud

Radin was under investigation for a multi-million dollar scam involving White Zinfandel, a now-iconic but initially mocked wine variety. The fraud entailed mass-producing low-quality wine, misleading consumers and tarnishing the industry's reputation.

“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.”
— Narrator [05:31]

Investigation Unveiled

The investigation into Radin’s murder unveiled connections that went deeper than initially perceived, linking the Licciardi family to organized crime and high-stakes fraud.

Firsthand Examination of Evidence

A vivid recounting of visiting the San Joaquin County Superior Courthouse provides a chilling glimpse into the forensic aspects of the case.

“I pull out my phone to record a voice memo.”
— Narrator [00:36]

Inside the courthouse, Chris Walker describes the meticulous examination of evidence, including a pillowcase with dried bodily fluids and a .22 caliber Colt firearm—the murder weapon.

“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.”
— Margarita, Legal Clerk [02:37]

The Twist of Fate

The plot thickens when Walker reveals the unexpected turn from a mere fraud investigation to a murder mystery, suggesting the involvement of mafia-like elements within the wine industry.

“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.”
— Federal Investigator [04:32]

Insights from Experts and Inspectors

The podcast features interviews with various experts, including federal investigators and industry insiders, who shed light on the intricate connections between the Licciardi family, the wine fraud, and the ensuing violence.

“There was always this sense that you couldn't really trust what was in the field.”
— Wine Expert [06:47]

The accounts highlight the pervasive sense of distrust and the lengths to which individuals within the industry would go to protect their interests.

“We all felt that the family, being the mafia, were covering up something big.”
— Federal Investigator [07:23]

The Decline of a Dynasty

As the investigation progresses, it becomes evident that the Licciardi family's ambitions and illicit activities threatened to dismantle a previously respected wine empire. The intertwining of legitimate business with criminal undertakings created a volatile environment ripe for betrayal and murder.

“And a scandal that threatened the integrity of an entire industry.”
— Narrator [07:38]

Conclusion: A Story of Greed and Deception

Chris Walker encapsulates the essence of the Licciardi family's downfall, presenting a narrative that is as much about personal ambition and familial loyalty as it is about systemic fraud and criminality.

“It's a parable of greed that hardly anyone knows about, and the wine industry would prefer to keep it that way.”
— Narrator [05:31]

Final Thoughts

"Blood Vines" promises to unravel the complex tapestry of power, deceit, and murder that defined one of California’s most notorious wine families. Through meticulous research and compelling storytelling, Chris Walker invites listeners to explore the dark side of the wine industry, where success can be as intoxicating as it is dangerous.

“It's quite a curious story of that crazy deal with the grapes and all that stuff. They were saying they stashed the money...”
— Industry Insider [07:11]

Listeners are encouraged to delve into the full saga, as "Blood Vines" sets the stage for a series that will uncover untold truths and explore the fragile intersection between fame, fortune, and fatal ambition.

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This summary captures the essence of the "Introducing: Blood Vines" episode, highlighting the key narratives, expert insights, and the overarching themes of crime and deception within the wine industry as presented by Chris Walker.

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.

[Narrator]

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.

[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. 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.

[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.

[Wine Expert]

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

[Narrator]

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.

[Narrator]

Like that, about a family and its secrets.

[Federal Investigator]

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

[Narrator]

About deception and betrayal.

[Industry Insider]

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. 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.