Wine Company Forced to Dispose of 2,000 Bottles Worth Hundreds of Thousands of Dollars Following Illegal Aging Methods in the Ocean
In a shocking turn of events, a wine company has been compelled to destroy approximately 2,000 bottles of wine and other alcoholic beverages after it was discovered that they had been illegally aging their products in the ocean. The company, Ocean Fathoms, owned by Emanuele Azzaretto and Todd Hahn, had been engaging in this unconventional method since 2017, causing environmental concerns and jeopardizing public health.
According to a statement from the Santa Barbara’s District Attorney’s office, Azzaretto and Hahn would submerge crates of wine about a mile off the sensitive Santa Barbara coast. These crates would remain on the sea floor for an entire year, allowing for the formation of a reef ecosystem on the bottles and crates. Once the year was up, the crates were removed along with the marine life that had attached itself to them, and the wine would be sold for exorbitant prices, fetching up to $500 per bottle.
Ocean Fathoms’ website proudly showcases their unique approach to winemaking, with bottles covered in barnacles, coral, sea shells, and ornate hard-shelled tubes formed by annelida sea worms. The company even provided photos as evidence of this distinctive aging process. However, the Federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA) deemed the wine adulterated and unsuitable for human consumption due to the potential contamination from being submerged in the ocean.
As a consequence of their illegal activities, Azzaretto, Hahn, and Ocean Fathoms entered into a plea agreement. They pled guilty to several misdemeanor criminal charges, including illegally discharging material into U.S. waters, selling alcohol without a license, and aiding and abetting investor fraud. The wine, valued at hundreds of thousands of dollars, was disposed of at a wastewater treatment plant in Santa Barbara, while the bottles were recycled.
Despite the severity of their actions, Hahn brazenly boasted about receiving a mere $145 fine in an interview with the Santa Barbara Independent. He belittled the amount of public resources and funds allocated to the case, considering it a joke. However, the true value of the confiscated and destroyed bottles far exceeds the negligible fine he received.
Ocean Fathoms has promised to release a statement on the matter in response to an inquiry from Insider. While their intentions remain unclear, it is evident that their attempt at unconventional and environmentally damaging winemaking has cost them dearly. Authorities will undoubtedly hope that this incident serves as a stern warning to others who may consider engaging in similar unlawful practices.
In conclusion, the wine company was forced to dispose of thousands of bottles and faced legal consequences after illegally aging their products in the ocean. By violating environmental regulations and endangering public health, they caused significant financial losses and jeopardized their reputation. It is essential for all businesses to prioritize ethical and legal practices in their respective industries to avoid the dire consequences faced by Ocean Fathoms.
