Meet The Founder
Carmela Blackman is a graduate of Cornell University, where she earned a degree in Business and Marketing. After building a successful career in strategy and product development for luxury brands, she chose to follow her true passion: wine. Her journey into the world of fine wine began during six formative years at one of the world’s leading wine auction houses. There, she honed her expertise in direct-to-client retail sales, forging lasting relationships with top wine buyers, from premier hotels and restaurants to private collectors and connoisseurs.
Recognized by her friends as the go-to "wine consultant," Carmela realized she had a unique opportunity to make wine accessible and enjoyable for others. This vision led to the creation of CB Cellars—a bespoke wine acquisition service tailored for enthusiasts and novices alike.
Carmela leads CB Cellars with a hands-on approach, managing operations and ensuring the highest standards of customer service. Her commitment to creating personalized, memorable experiences for every client has become the hallmark of CB Cellars, setting a new standard for excellence in wine curation.
What People Are Saying
“What a gift! As a novice, I had the good fortune of meeting Carmela at a wine auction. She was my “concierge” for the day as part of a package I had won in an earlier charity event. She explained the process and the wines in a thorough, easy manner. So much so that I decided to hire her. Carmela has been informative, accessible and extremely easy to work with. Whether I’m purchasing newer wines from smaller “boutique” vineyards or more sought after older wines, Carmela’s love for wine and breadth of knowledge made my own wine experience more enjoyable. Working with her to develop a taste for international wines especially during Covid has helped me keep my sanity! Looking forward to my next case!” — Michael F.
“Wine acquisition for the non-wine expert" is exactly what Carmela excels at. She was instrumental in helping me build my confidence in auctions and explore genres that are "off the hyped up" path. Finding your palette takes time and an open mind, and you can trust Carmela to help you find yours!” - MT
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