Michelin-starred French Laundry restaurant victim of US$300,000 wine heist

Chef Thomas Keller took to social media platform Twitter to ask for help from the wine community in finding the thieves. -- PHOTO: RAFFLES HOTEL
Chef Thomas Keller took to social media platform Twitter to ask for help from the wine community in finding the thieves. -- PHOTO: RAFFLES HOTEL

Chef Thomas Keller's Michelin-starred Napa Valley restaurant The French Laundry was robbed of at least US$300,000 (S$396,461) worth of wine on Christmas Day.

According to The Los Angeles Times, 76 bottles were taken, including bottles from Burgundy estate's Romanee Conti vineyard worth at least US$15,000 each.

The thieves apparently jimmied a door at the wine room on the property, the Times reported.

Keller took to social media platform Twitter to ask for help from the wine community in finding the thieves.

On Dec 29, Keller (@Chef_Keller) tweeted that French Laundry became "was a victim of a robbery" and that "specific wines of specific value were stolen", namely wines from Domaine de la Romanee Conti and Screaming Eagle.

Most of the wines stolen were considered highly collectible and trade mostly on the private and auction markets, the Times said.

Keller appealed for information from the public, adding that his restaurant was confident that if and when the stolen bottles "appear in public they will immediately raise red flags".

The French Laundry, which just celebrated its 20th birthday this summer, is considered one of the best restaurants in the world. It is one of only 13 restaurants in the United States to have earned three stars from the revered Michelin restaurant guide.

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