True Crime · Foxtopus Ink

Blood Vines

by Foxtopus Ink

Blood Vines is a dark, true story from California’s wine country, where greed, lies, and murder swirled around one of the largest wine scams in U.S. history. Hosted by investigative journalist Chris Walker, this eight-part series follows the rise and ruin of the Licciardi family—a powerful wine dynasty whose grape deals fueled America’s obsession with White Zinfandel in the 1980s. Yet, behind this sweet-tasting rosé lurked a sour scandal that stained an industry’s reputation, set off violent betrayals, and left us all with a troubling question: How can you ever really trust what you’re drinking? Listen to Blood Vines on the Wondery app or wherever you listen to your podcasts. You can listen to all episodes ad-free on Wondery+. Join Wondery+ in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Start your free trial today by visiting www.wondery.com/links/blood-vines.

What listeners say

A curated, balanced selection of Apple Podcasts reviews.

Great and gripping story telling and excellent investigative journalism. I was hooked, but didn’t want to subscribe to Wondery to listen to the remaining episodes (only the first four episodes are free).

Bett2025 · May 2025

This is a riveting story very well told. What a “Page Turner” is to books, this story is to Podcasts! I couldn’t wait to hear the next episode. If you enjoy true crime, who done it story’s, and especially if you are a wine lover you will enjoy this story.

Don the wine lover · Feb 2025

Great journalism and story.. As a wine lover and true crime obsessed, really enjoyed this story and the history of fraud in white zin!

amlogiee · Feb 2025

I had no idea about the history of wine in America and the hoopla that surrounded white Zinfandel. This was a well written podcast. It delves into the history of California wine and the family drama of an Italian American wine family. It was a good listen. Wondery never lets disappoints.

Pepperchik · Feb 2025

I was so excited to find this podcast series because it had so many episodes; however, once I listened to the first one, I was so disappointed. The hosts sound like 15 year old foul mouthed (yes it does warn as explicit)teenagers with their unnecessary cussing and their usage of “like” constantly. I get cussing to emphasize something, but theirs was not needed. Very tacky. They also laugh and giggle throughout the episode. I was very disappointed. I’m hoping they have gotten better with more episodes.

999ASM · Jun 2025

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