Wine expert Lak Quach was renowned in the hospitality industry for his "exceptional palate" and vast knowledge, having quaffed some of the world's rarest vintages including a 1945 Cos d'Estournel and an 1893 Chateau Guiraud.

He graduated dux at the prestigious Len Evans Tutorial in 2013 after beating 11 rivals to identify fine wines from France's Grand Cru vineyards and became a reviewer for the prestigious Halliday Wine Companion, considered the Bible of Australian wine.

Wine expert Lak Quach has been accused of stealing up to $300,000 worth of wine while working as a specialist buyer. Credit:Dominic O'Brien

But Mr Quach's love affair with fine wine appears to have been his undoing, and his dreams of working the harvest in Burgundy may be in tatters.

The former sommelier and vintner is under investigation by his employer, Melbourne wholesaler Cellarhand, over claims he stole up to $300,000 worth of wine while working as a specialist buyer.