British woman tourist faces 50 years in prison for theft of wines in US

A British woman has been charged in Virginia after authorities allege she played a central role in a high-value wine theft from a renowned restaurant cellar. Natali Ray, 56, from Herne Bay in Kent, England, was arrested last week and now faces charges including grand larceny, conspiracy to commit grand larceny, and defrauding an innkeeper. The charges stem from the disappearance of several rare bottles of Burgundy wine, including selections from the prestigious Domaine de la Romanée-Conti estate, with a total value exceeding $41,000.

According to police and court documents, Ray entered L’Auberge Provençale Inn & Restaurant in White Post, Virginia, on November 28. She allegedly posed as “Stephanie Baker,” the personal assistant to a wealthy Canadian businesswoman interested in hosting a large dinner at the venue. Staff say Ray requested a tour of the restaurant’s wine cellar to check its temperature controls and suitability for her employer’s event.

Restaurant co-owner and sommelier Christian Borel led Ray and her male companion through several dining rooms into the cellar, which houses more than 5,000 bottles from some of the world’s most sought-after vineyards. Surveillance footage reviewed by investigators reportedly shows Ray engaging Borel with detailed questions about American wines and logistics for the supposed event. Meanwhile, her companion is seen slipping eight bottles of Burgundy into hidden pockets sewn inside his overcoat. Authorities say he replaced the missing bottles with inexpensive screwcap wines in an apparent attempt to delay discovery of the theft.

Staff became suspicious when they noticed unfamiliar bottles in the cellar after Ray and her companion left. Two of the stolen bottles—a 2019 Échézeaux and a 2021 Grands Échézeaux—were found discarded outside the property. Six other bottles remain missing. Restaurant employees and a patron attempted to intercept the pair as they left, but only Ray was apprehended nearby by Clarke County deputies. Her alleged accomplice escaped in a rented SUV and remains at large.

Ray was taken into custody and is being held at Northwestern Regional Adult Detention Center pending her court appearance. During questioning, she reportedly gave conflicting accounts of her involvement, first claiming she met her companion on a cruise ship before later stating she had been coerced into participating.

The incident has drawn attention within both local law enforcement and the international wine community due to the rarity and value of the stolen bottles. Domaine de la Romanée-Conti is widely regarded as one of Burgundy’s most exclusive producers, with individual bottles often fetching thousands of dollars at auction.

Christian Borel described the theft as “so brazen,” noting that it occurred during business hours while security cameras were operating throughout the premises. He said Ray’s polished demeanor initially convinced him that her story was legitimate until he noticed screwcap bottles where only corked wines should have been stored.

This case comes amid a notable increase in high-profile wine crimes worldwide this year. Industry reports have documented incidents ranging from sophisticated counterfeiting operations to large-scale thefts targeting restaurants and collectors. In recent months, authorities have investigated cases involving forged labels, cyberattacks on beverage companies, and even violent incidents linked to valuable wine collections.

Ray faces up to 50 years in prison if convicted on all counts. The investigation remains ongoing as police continue their search for her alleged accomplice and any leads on the missing bottles. The case has sparked renewed discussion about security measures for fine wine cellars and the growing black market for rare vintages.