Wine Theft Hits Los Angeles Tasting Room

Thieves target high-end bottles at popular wine event.

Published on Feb. 24, 2026

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A wine tasting event in Los Angeles was disrupted when thieves made off with several bottles of rare and expensive wine. The incident occurred at a popular wine bar in the city's Koreatown neighborhood, where a group of unidentified individuals managed to steal multiple bottles from the tasting room during the event.

Why it matters

Wine theft is an ongoing problem for vineyards, wine shops, and tasting rooms, with high-end bottles often targeted by organized crime rings. This latest incident highlights the need for improved security measures at such events to protect valuable inventory and ensure the safety of patrons.

The details

According to witnesses, the thieves struck during the busiest part of the wine tasting, quickly grabbing several bottles from the tasting room before fleeing the scene. The stolen wines were reported to be worth thousands of dollars each on the secondary market. Police are currently investigating the incident and reviewing security footage in an effort to identify the suspects.

  • The wine tasting event took place on the evening of February 18, 2026.
  • The theft occurred around 8:30 PM during the peak of the event.

The players

Now And Zin Wine

A popular wine bar and tasting room located in the Koreatown neighborhood of Los Angeles.

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What they’re saying

“We're deeply saddened by this incident and are working closely with the police to identify the perpetrators and recover the stolen property.”

— Randy Fuller, Owner, Now And Zin Wine (nowandzin.com)

What’s next

Police have increased patrols in the area and are urging anyone with information about the theft to come forward.

The takeaway

This wine theft highlights the ongoing challenge of securing high-value inventory at public events, underscoring the need for enhanced security measures and vigilance to protect against organized criminal activity targeting the wine industry.