Sour Grapes (2016) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

A Rich Indonesian Collector Emerges

Rudy Kurniawan established himself as a rich Indonesian wine collector with a deep fascination for Burgundy. His passion for the legendary French wine region quickly made him a notable figure in the fine wine community.

Millions Spent on Wine

Kurniawan spent millions of dollars on wine, building a collection that astonished the wine world. His enormous spending power earned him prestige and influence among auction houses and fellow collectors.

Counterfeit Bottles Hit the Market

While building his reputation as a serious collector, Kurniawan was secretly selling countless bottles of fake wine. His counterfeits infiltrated the fine wine market and deceived buyers who trusted the authenticity of his rare offerings.

Record-Breaking 2006 Auction

In 2006, the auction firm Acker Merrall & Condit broke records by selling US$35 million worth of Kurniawan's wines. The historic sale cemented his status as one of the most powerful players in the wine market.

When

2006

Manhattan Restaurant Sale

In 2008, Acker Merrall & Condit held a sale at a Manhattan restaurant featuring Kurniawan's wines. The firm promised that the bottles would be authenticated by some of Burgundy's most discerning connoisseurs, reassuring prospective buyers.

When

2008

Where

Manhattan

Rare Ponsot Bottles Go Under the Hammer

The auction included alleged bottles of Domaine Ponsot Clos Saint-Denis from the years 1945, 1949 and 1966. Such old vintages would have been extraordinarily rare, drawing keen attention from collectors and bidders.

When

2008

Where

Manhattan

The Estate's Damning Revelation

A Domaine Ponsot estate proprietor revealed that Clos Saint-Denis had not been produced until 1982. This meant the supposedly ancient bottles from 1945, 1949 and 1966 could not possibly be genuine, blowing the cover off the sale's star lots.

When

2008

Doubts Surround Kurniawan's Wines

The revelation cast serious doubt on the authenticity of the wines Kurniawan had been selling for years. The episode exposed major weaknesses in how the fine wine market authenticated rare and expensive bottles.

FBI Raid in Arcadia

In 2012, the Federal Bureau of Investigation raided Kurniawan's house in Arcadia, Los Angeles. The raid marked a dramatic turning point as federal agents moved in on his counterfeit wine operation.

When

2012

Where

Arcadia, Los Angeles

The Counterfeiting Method Exposed

During the investigation, authorities uncovered the details of Kurniawan's wine fraud. He had collected empty bottles of rare wines, refilled them with cheaper wine, and forged the labels to pass them off as authentic vintages.

When

2012

Where

Arcadia, Los Angeles

A Historic First Conviction

In 2014, Kurniawan became the first person in the United States to be convicted of wine fraud. The conviction marked a landmark moment in the legal crackdown on counterfeit wine.

When

2014

Sentenced to Ten Years

A New York federal judge handed Kurniawan a ten-year prison sentence for his crimes. The sentencing brought formal consequences to one of the biggest fraud schemes in the history of wine collecting.

When

2014

Where

New York

No Interview for the Documentary

Despite being at the center of the story, Kurniawan declined to be interviewed for the documentary. His silence meant the film had to tell his dramatic rise and fall through the voices of experts, investigators, and others affected by his fraud.