Chelsey Bunner, a Mechanicsburg native, is taking a brief break at home before starting a new chapter in her wine industry career. The 2017 Cumberland Valley High School graduate will begin her role at Banville Wine Merchants in Washington D.C. shortly after Labor Day. Banville Wine Merchants, based in New York, is a national importer of fine wines, spirits, and beer, with distribution across New York, New Jersey, Washington D.C., Virginia, Oregon, and Ontario, Canada. Bunner is hopeful that the job will offer travel opportunities as she transitions into sales for the company.
Bunner’s path to Banville Wine Merchants is the result of a diverse background. She double majored in French and Agricultural Business at Penn State University. Earlier this year, she earned a master’s degree in Wine and Spirits Management from KEDGE Business School in Talence, a suburb of Bordeaux, France.
Her journey into the wine industry began with an internship at the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board. This experience led her to work in two of the world’s premier wine regions—Napa Valley and Bordeaux—before returning to her roots.
“I always knew I wanted to work on the East Coast,” Bunner said. “I was considering New York or D.C. and loved working on the producer side. In Napa, I was focused on one winery, but I wanted broader exposure, whether in marketing, distribution, or sales. I’m excited to work with a diverse portfolio of wines and be more mobile, meeting people and engaging with the industry.”
Bunner initially had no plans to pursue a career in agriculture. Her interest sparked during a course comparing food systems in the U.S. and France. The course introduced her to French culture and vineyard management, aligning with her passion for French language and travel. “I thought wine would be the best path to combine my love for food, travel, and French,” she said.
During her 18-month stay in France, Bunner worked for the Cathiard family at Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte on the Left Bank. She then brought her skills and French proficiency to their new U.S. venture, Cathiard Vineyards in Napa Valley. The family acquired the historic estate in St. Helena just before the pandemic and, after extensive renovations, opened it in March 2023. The winery quickly gained recognition, landing on Wine Spectator’s top 100 wines list.
In her role as a wine tourism and business development associate, Bunner was involved in various tasks, from tours and tastings to social media, sales, marketing, and running the tasting room. She also completed her graduate studies and earned her WSET Level 3 Award in Wines with Merit.
As she prepares for her new role with Banville Wine Merchants, Bunner remains open to future possibilities within the wine industry. “The more I’m in the industry, the more my mind changes,” she noted. “At one point, I considered studying enology to make wine myself. I’d love a role with more international travel, perhaps as a brand ambassador or representative. For now, I’ll see where this journey takes me.”
