Meet The Founder
CB Cellars founder Carmela Blackman is a graduate of Cornell University, where she earned a degree in Business and Marketing. With more than 20 years of professional experience spanning luxury brand strategy, product development, fine wine sales, and client advisory, Carmela has built a career defined by relationship-driven service, refined taste, and a deep understanding of the luxury market.
Her path into the world of fine wine was shaped during several formative years at one of the world’s leading wine auction houses, where she developed expertise in direct-to-client retail sales and cultivated relationships with some of the industry’s most discerning buyers including premier restaurants, luxury hotels, and prominent private collectors. This experience provided an exceptional foundation in fine and rare wines, provenance, cellar building, and the nuanced needs of collectors at every level.
Known among friends and clients alike as a trusted “wine consultant,” Carmela recognized an opportunity to make the world of fine wine more approachable, personal, and thoughtfully curated. That vision led to the creation of CB Cellars in 2015, a bespoke wine advisory and acquisition firm dedicated to helping clients confidently build, manage, and enjoy exceptional collections.
Today, Carmela leads CB Cellars with a highly personalized and hands-on approach, overseeing every aspect of the client experience from sourcing and inventory management to curated events, and exclusive wine travel experiences. Her commitment to authenticity and meaningful client relationships has established CB Cellars as a trusted partner for collectors seeking both expertise and exceptional service.
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
“We were referred to Carmela by a close friend who had previously worked with her, and from the very first conversation, it was clear why she came so highly recommended. Carmela brought an incredible level of professionalism, knowledge, and attention to detail to the organization of our cellar. She not only created a beautifully structured and easy-to-manage collection, but also took the time to understand our tastes, goals, and the stories behind the wines we’ve collected. We now enjoy our cellar in a way we never truly had before, and we would recommend her without hesitation.”
— BP
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