An analysis of the books of the Berkeley wine retailer shows that it collected $45M in wine orders but had no bottles associated with those orders in its warehouse.
Wine crime
Posted inBusiness, Community, Crime, Crime & Safety, Nosh
Premier Cru owner had penchant for expensive cars
The Berkeley wine company John Fox co-founded with Hector Ortega is in the middle of bankruptcy proceedings.
Posted inNosh
Customers confront owner of bankrupt wine store
John Fox, the embattled co-owner of Premier Cru, faced some of his long-time customers at a creditors’ hearing in Oakland.
Posted inBusiness, Nosh
FBI is investigating whether Premier Cru ran a Ponzi scheme
In December 2011, John Fox was all smiles as he held large scissors to cut the ribbon for the grand opening of Premier Cru’s new retail store at 1011 University Ave. Photo: Premier Cru In December 2011, John Fox was all smiles as he held large scissors to cut the ribbon for the grand opening […]
Posted inBusiness, Crime, Crime & Safety, Nosh
Troubles mount for Premier Cru as FBI steps in
The FBI is investigating claims of a Ponzi scheme involving the Berkeley wine company Premier Cru.
Posted inBusiness, Crime, Crime & Safety, Nosh
Berkeley’s Premier Cru paid its tech staffer in wine
As the Chapter 7 bankruptcy case of the Berkeley wine store winds its way through court, significant details emerge about its operations.
Posted inCrime, Crime & Safety, Nosh
Ex Donkey & Goat staffer to face trial for wine theft
At a preliminary hearing discussion centered on whether wine was stolen or taken legitimately by three former employees of the West Berkeley winery.
Posted inBusiness, Nosh
Berkeley’s Premier Cru files for bankruptcy
The wine company claims it has more than $70 million in debts but only $7 million in assets, most of it wine, and leaves nearly 1,000 customers in the lurch.
Posted inArts, Nosh
Wine, wine everywhere, and not a drop to drink
Mal Warwick, who regularly contributes book reviews to Berkeleyside, calls Frances Dinkelspiel’s ‘Tangled Vines’ “a great read,” and “crammed with fascinating characters.” He gives it five stars. ☆☆☆☆☆ (five out of five) Gold. Aerospace. Agriculture. Filmmaking and television. Computers and consumer electronics. Wine. Viewed through the lens of business and commerce, these industries dominate the […]
Posted inBusiness, Nosh
Berkeley store sued over $3M of undelivered wine
Seven disgruntled customers have filed lawsuits against Premier Cru, a high-end wine store on University Avenue.
Posted inArts, Berkeleyside, Crime, Crime & Safety, Events, Nosh
Berkeley man at center of new book, ‘Tangled Vines’
Mark Anderson, who is serving a 27-year prison sentence, attended John Muir Elementary School and enjoyed many favorite childhood haunts in the Claremont neighborhood.
Posted inNosh
‘Tangled Vines’: A stunning look at dark side of wine
Wine books are not known to be riveting reads and it is the rare volume that swallows its readers whole. ‘Tangled Vines’ is that uncommon page-turner.
