About Us

BETTY DUNBAR - Owner Let me introduce myself, I’m the owner of Vinalia Imports, Inc., U.S.A. I began my wine career working as a store manager for Liquor Barns in California, once regarded as one of California’s largest and best wine retailers. After working for eight years at several of their locations throughout Southern California, I decided to venture into the wholesale side of the business and joined The Henry Wine Group, a mid-size wholesale wine distributor in California. Four years later, I signed on as General Sales Manager for the Brander Vineyard, a small winery devoted to producing high quality sauvignon in Santa Barbara County. My responsibilities included national sales and marketing, and all principal facets of winery operation. In 1998, I extended my work experience by accepting the position as Western States National Sales Manager for a small US wine importer and wholesaler. I smartly or foolishly decided in January 2003, to gallantly take my twenty plus years of accumulated wine experience and create my own small import and wholesale wine distribution company, Vinalia Imports, Inc. in Camarillo, California. In March of 2003, I traveled for six days searching for unknown estate wineries hidden in little hamlets within the endless sea of vines throughout Provence, Côtes du Luberon, Rhône, Burgundy and Chablis. My primary objective, while tasting through more than 400 cuvées, was to find a collection of wines that reflected “typicity”, wines with elegance and purity, with true varietal fruit expression characterized by the natural influences from the soils and their regional climates. My trips to France have enabled me to assemble a wine portfolio that offers both diversity and artistry. I am excited to present to you French wines that reflect typicity, character and charm.

RYAN GAUMER - So. California Sales Mgr. Ryan Gaumer has been with Vinalia Imports, Inc. for 3 years. His wine knowledge is extensive as well as his ability to motivate and educate. Along with his great selling ability, he is fluent in French and is a very accomplished artist. His artwork has been displayed in Paris. During his leisure time Ryan enjoys entertaining, using his culinary skills with friends. He is an asset to our company and has become a good friend.

Betty Dunbar and Ryan Gaumer Lost in Cairanne Here we are in disguise, on the discovery path of the great unknown vineyards in the south of France...