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 industry professional with two decades of experience, both internationally and in the US.
Throughout his career in the Wine and Spirits industry, Mr. Bonneté has earned a distinguished reputation as an energetic, determined, efficient and passionate brand and business leader as well as an exceptionally creative marketer.
Prior to 2015, Mr Bonneté was Chief Operating Officer of Pisco Porton LLC. He managed the company daily operations and strategic decision, while being responsible for developing the brands Porton and La Caravedo. During his tenure Porton became one of the fastest growing beverage brand in the United States and the leading Pisco brand in the world.
Formerly, Mr. Bonneté founded and built the spirits’ portfolio of W.J. Deutsch & Sons, one of the leading wine importer and marketer in the United States. He served as Senior Vice President and oversaw a myriad of award-winning wines and spirits brands – including Yellow Tail, Josh, Barone Fini, Andre Lurton, Luksusowa Vodka, Villa Massa and Licor 43.
Previously, Jean-François served as Director North America of Cognac Ferrand USA for more than ten years, in which capacities he played a leading and instrumental role in building and expanding the company’s business in the United States, launching and building well-known brands such as Pierre Ferrand Cognac, Plantation Rums and Citadelle Gin.
Jean-François was knighted in 2011 as “Chevalier de l’Ordre National du Mérite Agricole” by his native country of France and elevated to "Officer" in 2016. Jean-François studied business at Harvard University as well as New York University, and received his MBA from 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-Etienne and Paris, earning a Master's degree in geophysics from the prestigious French petroleum school IFP (École Nationale Supérieure des Pétroles et Moteurs).
Her professional journey started in London, where she worked with Amerada Hess and Chevron. She then returned to Paris to serve as an IT developer for geoscience software at the French Institute of Petroleum’s research center. In 2002, she embarked on her second expatriation to Colombia, teaching at the French International School in Bogotá. Upon her return to France, she joined Halliburton, eventually 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 allowed her to travel to French-speaking countries like the Republic of Congo.
In 2012, Mrs. Bonneté joined ConocoPhillips as a geophysicist, specializing in oil exploration in the Gulf of Mexico.
In 2015, Mrs. Bonneté transitioned from her corporate career to entrepreneurship, co-founding BCI with her husband. As co-owner and COO, she now leads a successful U.S. national importer of wines and spirits.
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 various organizations, including President of SOS French in Texas, Vice President and board member of Mark White Elementary School’s dual-language immersion program, and co-chair of the Wave Campaign association.
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