Our Story
JVS Imports was founded almost two decades ago. Sam Filmus and his family began importing and distributing wines from Eastern Europe, and then the business grew in two important directions. The first was the development of JVS as an importer with a national network of distributors for its products, and the second was the growth of JVS as a wholesaler in California. Staying true to its roots, JVS offers a wide assortment of beers and wines from Eastern Europe, but Mr. Filmus and his lifelong friend and Partner Vladimir Zhoglo have also cultivated a large (and growing!) portfolio that includes brandy, mezcal, vodka, scotch, rum, as well as popular American Craft Spirits.
Sam Filmus
President
Sam’s career in the beverage industry began two decades ago when he founded JVS. His dream was to bring a taste of his heritage to the United States in the form of wines indigenous to Eastern Europe. There lie the roots of JVS’ portfolio– his dream came alive but he did not stop there. JVS expanded to include every beverage category, and Sam is especially passionate about whisky, which he imports through his other company, ImpEx Beverages. Sam excels at building relationships with partners of all backgrounds in the industry, cultivating a community of enthusiasts and mutual support. Sam is a notorious workaholic, but on the rare occasion that he has a weekend, he enjoys relaxing with his wife, kids, and (believe it or not!) grandkids, as well as spending time outdoors with his Golden Retriever, Skylar.
Val Zhoglo
Vice President
Val has been a part of JVS since 1999. It’s hard to believe that at one point, he couldn’t tell the difference between a bourbon and a scotch because having paid his dues in the industry, Val has become an expert on wines, beers and spirits. When his mind isn’t on fine wines and spirits, he’s thinking about the next improvement he wants to make to his backyard, his next motorcycle road trip, or planning his upcoming sailing adventure. Some of his favorite destinations have been in Mexico, Australia, the Caribbean, the Polynesian Islands and Desolation Sound in Canada.
Summer-Jane Bell
Executive Sales Manager
Summer-Jane Bell is Co Founder of TrophyGold Media which produces cocktail competitions and the photo sharing mobile app TrophyCocktail. Recently elected to the national board of the United States Bartenders’ Guild as General Secretary, she also served as President of the San Francisco chapter. She’s crazy about craft cocktails and adores artisanal spirits which makes sharing the JVS Imports portfolio with her beloved bartending community such a fun job. Teaching seminars at Tales of the Cocktail, Tales on Tour in Edinburgh, Bar Institute, Sacramento Cocktail Week, and the Tampa Bay Repeal Day Conference has brought the rewarding aspect of mentorship to her career. She was also a judge for the American Distilling Institute’s 2017 Craft Spirits Competition.
Tim Grimes
Sales Manager
Timothy Grimes, originally from Los Alamos, New Mexico has been a resident of Los Angeles, California for the last 10 years. He and his wife Jodee live in Playa Del Rey, CA and he has been part of the Southern California JVS Imports sales team for two years.
Dave Reitman
North Bay Account Representative
Dave Reitman left his New York law practice to pursue his dream of making the world a better place through the sale of artisanal spirits.