Spanish authorities have dismantled a transnational criminal network responsible for smuggling counterfeit Rioja wine to China via Vietnam, seizing an estimated 24,000 liters of fake wine valued at millions of dollars. The operation, named Operation Epígrafe, was conducted by Spain’s Guardia Civil in collaboration with Europol, Interpol, and Vietnamese police.
Seven Arrested in Connection with Fraudulent Wine Scheme
Authorities arrested seven Spanish nationals, aged between 35 and 65, in the provinces of Valencia and Álava. These individuals are facing charges related to industrial property infringement, membership in a criminal organization, document forgery, and fraud. They are currently under investigation, though they have been released pending trial.
The investigation was sparked in March 2023 when a Spanish tourist discovered a suspicious bottle of “Rioja wine” in a store in Vietnam. The bottle’s label closely resembled that of authentic Rioja wines but was not linked to any registered Rioja winery. Upon analysis, authorities confirmed that the wine did not meet the regulatory standards of the Denominación de Origen Calificada Rioja (DOCa Rioja), triggering a larger probe by the Guardia Civil.
Fake Wine Production and Export Operations Unveiled
The investigation revealed that the criminal network operated through three companies based in Spain’s Valencia region. These companies sourced non-Rioja wines from across Spain, repackaged them into 5- to 15-liter bag-in-box containers, and shipped them to Vietnam. Once in Vietnam, the wine was rebottled and relabeled as Rioja wine, targeting Asian markets, particularly China.
Authorities identified 17 counterfeit brands, including Alta Rioja, Beronica, Luxiumwine, 1910, and 1/One, which closely mimicked legitimate Rioja labels. These deceptive products made it challenging for consumers to distinguish the fakes from genuine Rioja wine. Investigators also uncovered evidence linking the network to the illegal exportation of counterfeit wine to China, where approximately 32,000 bottles of fake Rioja were sold.
Ongoing Investigation and Possible Expansion
Guardia Civil spokesperson Miguel Ángel Sáez confirmed that the investigation is ongoing. Authorities are focusing on assessing the total volume of fake wine distributed and the illicit profits generated by the criminal network. It is also possible that the group made multiple illegal shipments to China, and more individuals and companies may be implicated as the investigation develops.
Wider Counterfeit Wine Operations Across Europe
This bust is part of a wider trend of large-scale counterfeit wine operations in Europe. In September 2023, French and Italian police uncovered another transnational network producing counterfeit wines from prestigious Burgundy estates. This operation led to the seizure of thousands of counterfeit labels and materials used for fraudulent wine production, valued at €2 million.
Additionally, authorities in China have faced similar counterfeit wine issues, with a notable seizure in September 2023 in Harbin, where over 1,400 bottles of counterfeit Penfolds wine, valued at approximately $246,000, were confiscated from a specialty liquor store.
As global demand for wine grows, particularly in developing Asian markets, counterfeit operations targeting these regions continue to thrive, taking advantage of lower consumer awareness and growing markets.
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