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In the Spanish appellation Rías Baixas (Galicia), unknown perpetrators have willfully destroyed over 900 vine stocks. The 7,000 m² vineyard belongs to the small cooperative Viña Moraima in the town of Barro and was partly planted with centuries-old vines.
Some of them were nearly 200 years old and bore yet unidentified red grape varieties being studied by a research institute MBG-CSIC in the province of Pontevedra. Additionally, there was a four-year-old planting of the grape varieties Albariño and Caíño.
The members of the cooperative speak of an act of sabotage just before the start of the grape harvest. They estimate that only five percent of the damaged vines can be restored. The damage is estimated at around 120,000 euros.
So far, the only clue about the perpetrators comes from a surveillance camera of a neighboring industrial heating and gas plant. It showed how the trunks of the first vines were severed on August 2 shortly after midnight.
The winemakers are convinced that several individuals were involved, as cutting hundreds of vine stocks in a short time would be too much work for a single person. The perpetrators worked methodically and presumably used small electric pruning shears and chainsaws.
The cooperative is asking for any information or witness statements; the local police are investigating.
(ru / Decanter)