French wines are known for being elegant, diverse, and of fantastic quality. That’s why they’re popular worldwide, especially in the US, where wine is becoming more famous. But importing the good stuff isn’t easy, even for professionals.
This guide presents you with the top 5 US French wine importers to simplify it. These folks are all about curating killer selections so people can appreciate the craft behind each bottle. From old-school vineyards in Bordeaux’s rolling hills to sunny fields in Provence, these importers bring quality French winemakers to the US for tasting from coast to coast. We’ll crack open a bottle from the best French drops brought in by the best importers.
Table of Content
- Alain Junguenet Selection (Wines of France, Inc.)
- De Maison Selections
- Wilson Daniels
- VINTUS
- Doug Polaner/Mia Subotik (Domaine Mia)
- Bottom Line
#1. Alain Junguenet Selection (Wines of France, Inc.)
Alain Junguenet Selection, previously Wines of France, Inc., is known as one of the top importers and distributors of fine French wines in the US. The company was founded by Alain Junguenet in 1984.
Alain first contacted some wineries in Beaujolais when he was getting started. Back in the early 1980s, not many places were exporting bottles. Everyone was down to work with him when he showed up with letters of credit. After checking out Bordeaux and Burgundy, he realized either other importers already had dibs on the best domains there, or the stuff they were making seemed like they could only get what he could get for that tasty Beaujolais.
Today, their headquarters and main warehouse are in New Jersey, but they’ve got distributors nationwide who help bring their wines into restaurants, stores, etc. Mostly the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic, though – New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Maryland are where you’ll find most of their wine products.
#2. De Maison Selections
De Maison Selections brings some outstanding wines, ciders, sherries, and spirits from small producers in France. They’ve been around since 1996, when André Tamers started the company after spending three years checking out wineries in Spain. The name is a shout-out to his mom’s side of the family, who came from Haute-Savoie. Since he only had daughters, André wanted to keep the De Maison name as a business. The company is about family history as much as the tasty drinks.
This approach tries to be open-minded and fair. It does not push any particular products or brands. Instead, it deeply respects all the winemakers, the hard work they do in the vineyards, and the special cultural and cooking traditions they come from. Its main goal is to show each winery honestly and what makes it different.
#3. Wilson Daniels
Wilson Daniels has been around since the 70s. It’s a family business that does marketing and sales and tries to make everything it does fit together nicely. They pick out some excellent wines and spirits from around the world for their collection. The people who started it, Win Wilson and Jack Daniels, cared a lot about having high standards. The company still sticks to those standards and keeps improving today. Their method is to team up long-term with fancy producers who know much about terroir and stand out in their areas.
Wilson Daniels works with many talented women running family wineries. These ladies are so important—not just to their businesses but to winemaking overall. Whether it’s traditional regions like France and Italy or newer ones like California and Australia, female winemakers and executives are crushing it. Their skills in the vineyards and boardrooms are helping shape the future of wine.
#4. VINTUS
VINTUS was started in April 2004 by Michael Quinttus, who had a vision to carefully choose exceptional wines made by small, family-owned estate wineries. Before doing this, Michael oversaw their wine selections as a senior executive at Kobrand Corporation. People who visit VINTUS appreciate how wine makes life better. One fascinating thing about the wines of France is the endless combinations of smells, flavors, and textures based on where the grapes are grown, the grape types, the weather, and the winemaking methods. As wine lovers deepen their knowledge, they value the diversity and look forward to trying new tastes and styles.
#5. Doug Polaner/Mia Subotik (Domaine Mia)
Domaine’s roots date back to 1860 when the Clos La Marche vineyard was first planted. With its long history in this respected wine region, the winery has held up over the years, though it’s been around the block a few times. It was formerly known as Maison Louis Max before being renamed Domaine in 2020 when Mia Subotic took over as the new boss. She’s set her dreams on shaking things up and returning the old estate to prime condition again.
With help from Alain Charleux in the vineyards and guidance from consulting winemaker David Duband, Mia is propelling things into the future. A bunch of the vines are over 40 years old, so they’ve got age and character rooted into the land. The approach in the cellar is to bring out the freshness and uniqueness of the place while building up intricate layers in the wines.
Bottom Line
French wine importers in the U. S. make up a lively and diverse landscape, mirroring French winemaking’s rich blend of flavors and traditions. From Alain Junguenet Selection’s established elegance to the family connections of De Maison Selections, these companies show a real commitment to quality and heritage. Wilson Daniels has long been dedicated to excellence. At the same time, Vintus champions small family-run wineries – both proving French wine’s lasting appeal. Doug Polaner’s Domaine combines tradition with forward-thinking, bringing new energy.
Together, the top importers bring more than just great wines of France stateside. They help Americans appreciate the craft and terroirs behind each bottle. Raising a glass of one of their imported French wines means celebrating a journey through time, tradition, and taste. Here’s to the joys of French wine, made possible by these devoted importers!