Sonoma Valley “Smash & Grab” Crimes Hitting Wineries

Half a dozen Sonoma Valley wineries have confirmed to Wine Industry Insight that they have been hit by a wave of  swift “smash and grab” robberies with valuables taken from cars.

“Sometimes they happen at events, other times just in the tasting room parking lot,” said one winery exec who — like the others we interviewed — asked that his winery not be identified. “I have no desire to be the poster child for this,” he said. “I want to warn others, but this is just bad PR for us.”

A tasting room executive at a winery in mid-valley said the thieves are “brazen” and very fast. ‘They see something on the seat and they smash the window, grab it and are gone in seconds.”

“Be extra careful of what you leave in your car,” said a Sonoma Sheriff’s spokesperson. “This is happening all over the valley, and not just at wineries. Tourist season has become a smash and grab bonanza.”