Our Story
BCI is a family-owned and operated company specializing in representing, importing, marketing, and building successful wine and spirit brands in the United States. With a passionate and dedicated team, we develop and ensure the seamless execution of our partners’ brand strategies, guiding them from inception and market launch through sustained growth.
We proudly collaborate with a prestigious roster of wine and spirits producers, embracing a personalized and collaborative approach that fosters long-lasting relationships and mutually beneficial partnerships. At BCI, we are committed to delivering exceptional results while honoring the authenticity and quality of the brands we represent.
MEET THE FOUNDERS
Jean-François Bonneté is the co-founder and President & CEO of BCI. He is a highly regarded luxury and consumer-goods professional with over two decades of experience, both internationally and in the United States.
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Throughout his career in the wine and spirits industry, Mr. Bonneté has built a distinguished reputation as an energetic, determined, and passionate brand and business leader, as well as an exceptionally creative marketer.
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Prior to 2015, Mr. Bonneté served as Chief Operating Officer of Pisco Porton LLC, where he led the company’s daily operations and strategic direction while developing the Porton and La Caravedo brands. During his tenure, Porton became one of the fastest-growing beverage brands in the United States and the leading Pisco brand worldwide.
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Previously, Mr. Bonneté founded and built the spirits portfolio of W.J. Deutsch & Sons, one of the leading wine importers and marketers in the United States. As Senior Vice President, he oversaw a wide range of award-winning wine and spirits brands, including Yellow Tail, Josh, Barone Fini, André Lurton, Luksusowa Vodka, Villa Massa, and Licor 43.
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Earlier in his career, Jean-François served as Director North America of Cognac Ferrand USA for over ten years. In this role, he played a key part in expanding the company’s U.S. presence and successfully launching major brands such as Pierre Ferrand Cognac, Plantation Rums, and Citadelle Gin.
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In recognition of his contributions, Jean-François was knighted in 2011 as a Chevalier de l’Ordre National du Mérite Agricole by the French Republic and elevated to the rank of Officer in 2016. He studied business at Harvard University and New York University, and earned his MBA from the French business school Institut Supérieur de Gestion.
Mrs. Bonneté, a native of France, has built a remarkable career spanning multiple industries and countries. With a passion for geology, she began her academic journey in Saint-Étienne and Paris, earning a double Master’s degree from La Sorbonne in Computer Science applied to Geology, as well as a Master’s degree in Geophysics from the prestigious French petroleum school IFP (École Nationale Supérieure des Pétroles et Moteurs).
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Her professional career began in London, where she worked with Amerada Hess and Chevron. She later returned to Paris to serve as an IT developer for geoscience software at the French Institute of Petroleum’s research center.
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In 2002, she embarked on her second expatriation to Colombia, teaching at the French International School in Bogotá. After returning to France, she joined Halliburton, before relocating to the United States in 2006, where she held various consulting roles for major international energy companies such as Chevron, BP, and Total. These positions also led her to work in several French-speaking countries, including the Republic of Congo.
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In 2012, Mrs. Bonneté joined ConocoPhillips as a geophysicist, specializing in oil exploration in the Gulf of Mexico.
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In 2015, she transitioned from her corporate career to entrepreneurship by co-founding BCI with her husband. As co-owner and COO, she now leads a successful U.S. national wine and spirits importing company.
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Beyond her professional accomplishments, Mrs. Bonneté is deeply committed to philanthropy and community service. She actively supports causes such as domestic violence prevention, women veterans, children’s welfare, and French education. She undertakes annual mission trips to Uganda and holds leadership roles in several organizations, including:
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President of SOS French in Texas
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Vice President and Board Member of Mark White Elementary School’s dual-language immersion program
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Co-Chair of the Wave Campaign Association
