An Australian court has commenced proceedings against a 67-year-old man accused of blackmailing John Casella - the owner of Yellow Tail producer Casella Wines - for more than A$5 million.
The man, Matteo De Dominicis, has allegedly been demanding money from Casella for two years. Casella reported the matter to police in New South Wales last week.
De Dominicis has been charged with four counts of demanding money with menaces. He is accused of demanding A$645,000 in three separate payments and A$5 million this month.
At Griffith Local Court he was denied bail. He will appear in court again on February 10.