~Specializing in authentic French wines of quality & value~

 Celebrating 31 years in 2021/Depuis 1990! 

Our ongoing mission, is to feature authentic, regional French wines, that are true to the character of their origins, made by independent family producers

Our Story

In French, a Vigneron(ne), is a total hands-on winemaker, from vine to bottle

Vigneron Imports was founded in 1990 with a mission to bring wines of the Highest Quality & Value to California.  Since then, we have focused on importing authentic, regional French wines that are true to the character of their origins, at reasonable prices.  We work exclusively and directly with small to mid-sized family wineries from all regions of France. Most are bio-dynamic, sustainable, or transitioning estates and many have been granted the new and coveted HVE status, La Haute Valeur Environnementale.  All of them are committed to using the least intrusive methods possible with an emphasis on nature, terroir, and exceptional grapes.  The results are wines that make a lasting impression, without being excessively big or high in alcohol, over-extracted or oaked, thus allowing the flavors of each varietal, terroir, and appellation to shine. We are honored to have forged long-time relationships with these dedicated, artisan family winemakers, Les Vignerons Independent. They all emphasize that wine is made in the vineyard, something we heartily concur with. We are less impressed by big-time ratings and scores than we are by discovering exciting wines from a Domaine and Grower that we can establish a lasting partnership with. This is at the core of our raison d’être, to find wines that our customers, and in turn their customers, will truly enjoy. 

Vigneron Imports is proud to offer fairly priced, authentic, regional French wines that consistently provide the highest levels of quality, character, and value, with the utmost respect for the environment. Our portfolio features wines from established wine-producing areas such as Burgundy, Bordeaux, Beaujolais, Côtes du Rhone, Provence, Champagne, Alsace and the Loire Valley, as well as exciting lesser-known regions and producers from Cahors and Gascogne in the Southwest, to Jura and Arbois in the East. The highest form of recognition and satisfaction comes from the trust and belief that so many customers have for Vigneron Imports portfolio of French wines.  

Who we are:

In the beginning…Eric Stauffenegger - Eric Stauffenegger Selections

Eric, a French native, devotion to wine began as a young teenager, when he would tag along with his father to visit cellars of nearby Burgundy.  It quickly turned into a passion that led him to positions as Cellar Master, Sommelier and Maitre d’ in some of France’s best restaurants and hotels.  In 1986 he came to California as the US representative for Champagne Jacquart.  Over the next 4 years, he discovered the distinct lack of regional and artisanal French wines in California and other states. And with that, la graine était plantée…Vigneron Imports was launched in 1990, with a one page offering of French wines from areas no one had heard of, headlined by Domaine Laurens, Cremant de Limoux, which is still one of the mainstays of our portfolio.  Despite the fact of flying blind with no logistical importing experience, lofty goals were set to extoll the virtues and pleasures of les vins de terroir!  Frequent trips to France ensued, in search of wines that fit the new ventures’ focus on authentic, regional wines of quality and value. Eric hit the streets of California, with his French charm, modest carte des vins and beaucoup de courage!  

By 1995, Chris Stauffenegger was able to quit her job (that paid the bills…) and take up her role in the company. Chris’s experience includes: graduating from the Cordon Bleu Ecole de Cuisine and L’Academie du Vin in Paris; operating her own catering company; representing both California and French wineries, and as the Vice President of Epicurean Rendezvous, a restaurant guide featuring the top 100 restaurants of major cities within the U.S. While she was born in the heart of the Napa Valley, she has a decidedly French palate…

Back in the day, we did everything ourselves and by hand (pre-internet…), it was far from glamourous…but we learned the ropes of importing and distributing, sometimes the hard way, okay a lot of the time the hard way, et petit à petit, l'entreprise a commencé à grandir.

The next 25 years… 

Vigneron Imports grew in size and stature, adding numerous Domaine’s and regions, significantly expanding from the one-page sales sheet to a portfolio with over 60 wineries. The friendships thrived within our Vigneron community, as we worked main á la main to increase the visibility of these lovely wines. We’ve delighted in watching many of our wineries pass or share the baton with the next generation of sons and daughters, adding a fresh outlook. Our team flourished over the years as well, from our amazing office team to our rockin’ California Sales Reps and distribution partners in other states.  We weathered and adapted to the trends and challenges of the decades, from the excessive 90’s (celebrity chefs and baby millionaires!) through the dot com bubble burst, the new millennium and restrained 2000’s, to the 2010’s farm-to-table, natural wine, craft beer, cold-brewed coffee, social media-driven mania.  And all the while remaining true to our founding philosophy and principles of authentic, regional French wines of quality and value, made by true artisans. Not always an easy task in an ever-changing world dominated by the flavor of the month…. But we seemed to have navigated through it, as our reputation and recognition grew and we were rewarded by our customers' trust and faith in our wine selection.  And how cool is it, that some of those customers that started with us way back in 1990 are still rolling! Longevity Baby!

Today…

So here we are in 2022, 32 years later…The last 5 years have seen many changes and challenges across the spectrum of the wine world and the world in general.  While Vigneron Imports withstood the test of time, the marriage did not.  Eric and Chris amicably divorced in 2018, but remain very close and their original mission for Vigneron Imports continues.  Since then, Chris has taken the helm and sole ownership of VI.  Eric has stepped back but remains committed to his role of supporting the wines and wineries we’ve built over 30 years.  

And so now, I switch to the first person.  I’ve spent the last 4 years transitioning and realigning VI into the 21stcentury, metaphorically speaking from analog to digital, but with the spirit of the original founding philosophy at the forefront, as well as maintaining and strengthening the bonds with our French partners.  It’s been my greatest challenge to evolve and adapt to the current rules of play. The wine importing world has become a complex and confounding state, so deviated from when we began. It’s a humbling experience, that’s required ingenuity, innovation, and creativity, that thankfully has paid off! From climate crisis impacts to logistics of shipping and supply delays, to the insane price hikes at every turn, to the pandemic that has affected us all in so many ways. And that’s the abbreviated overview…It’s made for big plans and strategies, constant adaptations, and the all-important pivot, but we are going forward strong!  So, with perseverance, conviction, out-of-the-box thinking & a great deal of resilience, the wine journey happily continues. Et oui, we are still very passionate about les beaux vins artisanaux de France and the talented Vignerons(nes) behind them!

Mille Merci for staying the course with us along this bumpy, diverted, yet awesome wine route!  As always, whether we’ve known each other for years or are newly acquainted, we look forward to sharing our wines with you. Santé!