Approximately 20,000 bottles of rare wine, valued at millions, still sit unclaimed more than three years after the New York City wine retailer Sherry-Lehmann collapsed, as reported.
These bottles, filled with sought-after vintages, are stored in the basement of a tower at Blue Hill Plaza in Rockland County. This came after an FBI raid related to an ongoing fraud investigation, according to an attorney for the building’s landlord.
The landlord, Glorious Sun, a company based in Hong Kong, has taken possession of the $16 million collection after Sherry-Lehmann’s storage division defaulted on its rent. They are now working to return the wines to their rightful owners in hopes of renting out the space, the attorney explained.
This summer, Glorious Sun even placed an advertisement in Wine Spectator.
In glaring red caps, the ad reads, “Attention! We may have your wine. If you stored wine with Sherry-Lehmann (or Wine Caves), please contact Blue Hill Plaza.”
Despite their efforts, only about a third of the bottles—10,135 to be precise—have been returned to their owners. Some clients may have passed away or completely forgotten their purchases, while others seem unaware that Sherry-Lehmann and its storage service are no longer in business.
The remaining bottles are still unclaimed, possibly due to “ignorance, wealth, or relocations,” according to a source familiar with Sherry-Lehmann’s operations.
“Those who genuinely wanted their wine back have received it,” said Edmund O’Brien, an attorney representing Glorious Sun. “Now, we need to locate those who haven’t been paying attention.”
After 89 years, the renowned Park Avenue wine store permanently closed its doors in March 2023, unable to renew its liquor license or settle its rent. Initially, many customers eagerly sought to retrieve their wines after learning about the store’s troubles.
Federal agencies, including the FBI and US Postal Inspectors, began investigating after a 2023 New York Times report alleged that Sherry-Lehmann had sold some wines from its storage customers to collectors.
Sherry-Lehmann refuted these claims and even pursued legal action against Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist James Stewart for purportedly leading a smear campaign against the store and its owners, Shyda Gilmer and Kris Green. However, a federal judge dismissed this lawsuit on Tuesday.
Sherry-Lehmann contended in its complaint that despite a significant law enforcement presence during the investigation, “no arrests or indictments have arisen” in relation to the reports.
However, O’Brien mentioned that he received a call from an FBI agent, indicating that the case was still very much active. There was a discussion about the situation at Blue Hill Plaza and a lawsuit Wine Caves had filed against Glorious Sun over withheld wine.
The FBI has not yet responded to requests for comments regarding the ongoing investigation.
According to Wine Caves’ complaint filed in state court, the new majority owner is James Galtieri, a former exclusive importer for Château Lafite Rothschild—a highly coveted wine brand with new bottles reaching prices above $700.
Galtieri was recruited by Shyda Gilmer, the previous CEO of Sherry-Lehmann, amidst the chaos surrounding the wine store’s closure.
It’s unclear whether Galtieri still holds a position in Wine Caves, as he has not replied to inquiries.
The attorney representing Wine Caves, John Balestriere, recently requested to step down as legal counsel, citing unpaid fees. His request was granted by the court.
John JD McFerrin-Clancy, who is now representing Wine Caves, did not respond to a request for comment.
