British Holidaymaker Accused in Audacious US Wine Cellar Heist
A British holidaymaker faces up to 50 years in an American prison after being accused of participating in a sophisticated distraction theft that targeted super fine wine from a historic luxury cellar in Virginia.
Natali Ray, 56, allegedly posed as the assistant to a wealthy wine connoisseur to distract staff while an accomplice stole several bottles from the prestigious Domaine de la Romanée-Conti estate valued at over £30,000 during their visit to L'Auberge Provençale Inn & Restaurant.
The Elaborate Distraction Scheme
According to surveillance footage obtained by the Daily Mail, Ray is believed to have worn a disguise and identified herself as 'Stephanie Baker', personal assistant to a Canadian businesswoman interested in hosting a 25-person dinner costing approximately $20,000.
The CCTV shows Ray telling staff "I've heard of your reputation" and claiming her boss was a wine connoisseur before requesting to speak with the sommelier, Christian Borel. She specifically asked to inspect the temperature-controlled cellar, which houses 5,500 bottles worth hundreds of thousands of dollars in a farmhouse dating from 1753.
While Ray engaged Mr Borel with rapid-fire questions about American wines and even photographed a bottle with a Winston Churchill quote, her male companion allegedly slipped six bottles of the legendary Burgundy wine into specially adapted pockets in his overcoat.
The Chase and Arrest
The theft was discovered almost immediately after the pair left the cellar on November 19. Mr Borel noticed screw-top bottles replacing the stolen cork-sealed estate Burgundy and gave chase, shouting "No, no, no, no, no! Absolutely not!"
Staff members and even a restaurant patron joined the pursuit. Matthew Leader, one of the waiters, managed to apprehend Ray as she attempted to enter a vehicle, but her accomplice escaped in an SUV that was later identified as a rental car from New Jersey.
During the dramatic chase, restaurant regular Ryan Dotson and another waiter gave pursuit in a $200,000 Porsche but were involved in a collision with another vehicle.
Two of the stolen bottles - a 2019 Échézeaux and a 2021 Grands Échézeaux - were found in the grass outside, but six bottles valued at $41,500 (approximately £31,500) remain missing.
Charges and Investigation
Ray has been charged with multiple offences including:
- Grand larceny
- Conspiracy to commit grand larceny
- Defrauding an innkeeper
She is currently being held at the Northwestern Regional Adult Detention Center following her arrest in Clark County, Virginia, located 60 miles from Washington DC. Her court appearance is scheduled for December 3rd.
Clarke County Sheriff Travis Sumption described the alleged crime as "orchestrated and planned", while Mr Borel expressed astonishment at the brazen nature of the theft conducted during business hours with surveillance cameras operational.
Police have notified nearby auction houses in case the suspect attempts to sell the stolen wine, though recovery prospects appear slim. The investigation continues as authorities search for Ray's male accomplice who remains at large.
