Dale is a fourth generation Californian and grew up in the farming communities of the San Joaquin Valley. After three years in the US Army, he married and then graduated from California State University, Fresno in 1970, with a Bachelor of Science in Accounting. Dale and his wife, Cynthia, then relocated to San Francisco where he was employed by Peat Marwick Mitchell & Co CPA's (now KPMG), and Hood & Strong, CPA's. Their son, Thomas, was born in 1974 and the family moved to St. Helena to live in a rural environment. Dale joined G & J Seiberlich & Co LLP in July of 1974 and became partner in 1975. A daughter, Alexis, was born in 1976. The family lives on their Chardonnay vineyard in St. Helena.

While at Fresno State, Dale became a founding member of the honorary accounting fraternity Beta Alpha Psi, Gamma Omnicron chapter, as well as a member of Pi Sigma Epsilon, a professional marketing fraternity. Professional memberships include The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the California State Society of Certified Public Accountants. He is currently President of the Napa Valley Grape Growers, a director for the Napa Valley Wine Library, and the director of the Napa Valley College Foundation. He is a past president of the St. Helena Little League and St. Helena Rotary Club.

Dale's professional emphasis is in wine and viticulture accounting, taxation, and estate and business succession planning.