Vintner, Vendor, Soldier, Spy: Peter Sichel's Journey from Nazi Germany to CIA to wine merchant | Bettina Sichel

Peter Sichel escaped Nazi Germany, joined the U.S. Army after Pearl Harbor, worked for the OSS during World War II and became a CIA station chief in Berlin at the dawn of the Cold War. He later returned to his family’s wine business and helped turn Blue Nun into an international phenomenon.

His daughter, Bettina Sichel of Laurel Glen Vineyard, shares the extraordinary story behind the documentary “The Last Spy”—from her father’s work with the French Resistance and early Cold War intelligence operations to his growing concerns about the CIA’s involvement in overthrowing foreign governments.

Bettina also explains why she created Laurel Glen’s PS Riesling as a tribute to her father, complete with a tiny blue nun on the label.

The conversation also covers:

• Peter Sichel’s Jewish family and their escape from Nazi Germany• His recruitment into the OSS, the predecessor to the CIA• The birth of the Cold War and his leadership in Berlin• The remarkable discovery of 250,000 cases of family wine beneath wartime rubble• His criticism of dangerous CIA covert operations• The marketing campaign that made Blue Nun famous• Laurel Glen Vineyard, Cabernet Sauvignon and PS Riesling• How winemakers use Brix measurements to decide when to harvest• Winery reservations, hidden-gem tasting rooms and Sonoma dining recommendations

“The Last Spy,” directed by Katharina Otto-Bernstein, will be presented at Sonoma’s historic Sebastiani Theatre on October 22 and 23, 2026, with live Q&A programs.

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 22:https://events.sebastianitheatre.com/the-last-spy/

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 23:https://events.sebastianitheatre.com/the-last-spy-with-live-qa/

WATCH THE OFFICIAL TRAILER:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fX0DRUJ7pi0

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE FILM:https://www.menemshafilms.com/the-last-spy

VISIT LAUREL GLEN VINEYARD:https://laurelglen.com/

PLAN YOUR SONOMA VALLEY VISIT:https://www.sonomavalley.com/