Thieves steal £90,000 worth of wine in two separate thefts

Thieves stole more than 4,000 bottles of wine from a warehouse at Bolney Wine Estate last week.
£80,000 of wine stolen from Bolney Wine Estate. Aimee Knight (Retail Sales Manager) with the makes of wine that was stolen. 03-03-15. Pic Steve Robards SUS-150303-161458001£80,000 of wine stolen from Bolney Wine Estate. Aimee Knight (Retail Sales Manager) with the makes of wine that was stolen. 03-03-15. Pic Steve Robards SUS-150303-161458001
£80,000 of wine stolen from Bolney Wine Estate. Aimee Knight (Retail Sales Manager) with the makes of wine that was stolen. 03-03-15. Pic Steve Robards SUS-150303-161458001

The retail value of the goods stolen from the vineyard between 6pm on Thursday February 26 and 8.45am on Friday February 27 amounted to more than £80,000 and among the wine stolen were 540 bottles of the estate’s award-wnning Blanc de Blanc 2009.

Other wine taken includes the estate’s Cuvée Rosé, Bolney Bubbly, Sirrius Ros, Lychgate White and Linter’s Red.

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In a separate burglary around 375 cases of sparkling wine were stolen from a warehouse in Pease Pottage over the weekend.

Samantha Linter, head wine maker and managing director at Bolney Wine Estate, said: “We are understandably upset and frustrated by the loss of such a large amount of wine, as we work incredibly hard here at Bolney Wine Estate to produce top quality English wines.

“If anyone has information, could you please get in touch on 01444 881575 or phone the Police on 101.”

A spokesperson for Sussex Police said: “We were called at 8.45am (February 27) after a burglary at a vineyard in Foxhole Lane, Bolney.

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“More than 4,000 bottles of wine with a total estimated value of more than £80,000 were stolen by intruders who broke into a warehouse between 6pm on Thursday (February 26) and 8.45am on Friday (February 27).”

Bolney Wine Estate is one of England’s longest-established vineyards, and home to a range of award-winning white, red and sparkling English wines.

A spokeswoman for the estate said the wines were ‘destined ‘for a range of supermarkets including Waitrose, Marks & Spencer and other local independent merchants.

Companies and bloggers took to Twitter to express their support for Bolney Wine Estate.

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Twitter user @englishwine tweeted: “ Vineyards- be vigilant, & those of you in the trade- please be on the lookout should you be approached.”

@VinspireUK tweeted: “Totally gutted to hear about the theft from @Bolneyestate. “They’re a fantastic English wine producer & deserve our support! #BuyBolney “

A second burglary was reported to police after a break in at the DF Warehouse in Brighton Road, Pease Pottage.

A spokesperson for Sussex Police said: “A worker arrived on Monday morning and found 350 cases of Bottega Gold sparkling wine and 20 to 25 cases of Bottega Rose had been stolen.

“It is estimated to be worth more than £10,000.”

Police are asking for anyone offered Bottega to email [email protected], call 101 or contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.