Lorraine Williamson
The Spanish Guardia Civil has dismantled an international network accused of illegally trading Rioja wine, with potential fraud amounting to millions of euros.
The operation involved Europol, Interpol, and, for the first time, the Vietnamese authorities. Seven individuals from Valencia and Álava are under investigation.
Seven suspects released pending trial
The suspects, Spanish nationals aged between 35 and 65, face charges of industrial property crimes, membership of a criminal organisation, document forgery, and continuous fraud. All have been released while awaiting trial.
Discovery of the fraud
The scam was uncovered when a Spanish tourist in Vietnam found a bottle labelled as Rioja that did not meet the standards of the Denominación de Origen Calificada (DOCa) Rioja. The bottle closely resembled another produced by a bodega in La Rioja Alta, raising suspicions.
Operation Epígrafe
Following the discovery, the Guardia Civil launched Operation Epígrafe, tracing the fraudulent wine back to three companies in the Comunidad Valenciana. These firms exported unauthorised wine to Asia, where it was rebottled and falsely labelled as Rioja.
The investigation involved collaboration with the Guardia Civil’s Tax and Customs Departments in Álava, the Supervisory Board of the Rioja Designation of Origin, and the Haro Oenological Station.
Authorities are now reviewing further documentation to determine the total volume of wine transported to Asia and the financial scale of the fraud.
17 fraudulent wine brands identified
Investigators have identified 17 fake wine brands linked to the operation:
- Beronica
- Luxiumwine
- 1910
- 1/One
- El Agar
- Rozita
- Marina
- 1920
- Ebro River
- Bottle 1965
- Vinaria de Luxium
- Luxium Discovery
- Cañas
- Alto Rioja
- Mauricio
- 16 Pineal Ebro
- Enriqueta y María Rivera
Rioja wine fraud extends to China
A second suspicious bottle surfaced in China. Although the wine originated from Rioja, the label failed to meet DOCa standards. The bottle carried an original back label from a bodega in Rioja Alavesa but without the required authorisation.
The Guardia Civil continues to investigate the extent of the operation, which could have significant implications for Spain’s wine industry and its global reputation.
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