Deborah M. Gray

Beginning with her family's vineyard from Australia, Deborah began importing small, family-owned brands to the US at a time when Americans were just discovering Australian wines. Over a span of thirty years as a wine importer, Deborah has introduced iconic brands from both Australia and New Zealand, judged at wine competitions, been the keynote speaker at festivals, given seminars at events and conducted numerous tastings and wine dinners. In 2014 she transitioned her business over to full-time consulting to new importers, foreign wineries and others who are contemplating a career in the wholesale wine business. Deborah has taught wine business courses part-time at San Diego State University since 2013.

Her journey began blindly through much trial and error and she would like others to benefit from her experience, so that every new importer does not have to reinvent the wheel. It is a highly regulated industry that can appear daunting and overwhelming. Deborah breaks all this down into step-by-step guidelines, so that the enjoyment of wine and the delight in discovering new wine finds is not lost in the process of establishing a wine importing business.