In a large stock pot, fry bacon until just crisp over medium-high heat. Remove to a papertowel lined plate and allow to drain. Remove all but 1 tablespoon of bacon fat and add the onion, bay leaves, allspice, cinnamon, cloves, peppercorns, garlic and tomato paste. Cook until onions are soft and translucent, about 10 minutes. Remove the onion mixture to the slow cooker.

In a small bowl mix the salt and pepper and spread over the chuck roast evenly. Sear the roast on each side in the hot stock pot. When all sides have a been browned, place the roast on top of the onion mixture in the slow cooker.

Turn the heat up to high and add the wine and water and scrape up all of the browned bits on the bottom of the stock pot. Allow the wine mixture to boil for 5 minutes. Pour over the roast and top with the bacon. Add more water, if necessary, to just cover the roast. Cover and set the slow cooker for 8 hours (or follow your manufacturers suggestions for 8 hours). At the 4 hour mark, flip the roast over, cover and continue to cook.