The Ashgrove Cellar

File #SN-2022-0918 · Sonoma, California

A winemaker found dead in his own fermentation cellar at harvest. The fans were off. The door was padlocked — from outside.

Difficulty: MEDIUM · Play time: 25–35 MIN · 1–2 players, in the browser.

The suspects

• Nadia Ashgrove, 36 — Daughter & Assistant Winemaker. Motive: Father hiring an outside head winemaker over her
• Elliot Crane, 45 — Cellar Master (11 years). Motive: Victim uncovered his barrel theft — sheriff meeting at 8 AM
• Harlan Pike, 58 — Acquisitions Director, Solace Beverage. Motive: Withdrawn $18M sale cost him a $600K bonus

The evidence

• EXHIBIT A: Fan Breaker Thrown — Cellar 2 exhaust fans switched off by hand at the shed panel, 23:48.
• EXHIBIT B: Padlocked From Outside — Two keys exist: the victim's, found on his body — and the cellar master's.
• LAB: Muted CO₂ Alarm — Alarm silenced 23:51 with the maintenance code. Two people hold it.
• FINANCIAL: Missing Reserve Barrels — 40 barrels of 2019 reserve sold via a shell buyer tied to Crane's in-law.
• EXHIBIT C: Text, 10:30 PM — Graham → Crane: 'Cellar. Tonight. Bring the barrel logs.'
• WITNESS 1: Night Picker — Crane's pickup at the crush pad ~11:40 PM, headlights off.
• LAB: Asphyxia, Not Heart — 14% CO₂ at floor level at dawn. Cause of death: asphyxiation.
• EXHIBIT D: Withdrawn Sale Offer — Ashgrove pulled out of the $18M Solace deal on Sept 2.

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