Vanessa Zúñiga is a sociologist whose work bridges cultural understanding and academic research to explore how meaning is created, shared, and experienced. Born in Chile, where wine is deeply woven into everyday life, collective memory, and social rituals, she brings a perspective that views wine as a cultural expression rather than simply a commodity.
Alongside her work with TANNINS, Vanessa is an accomplished researcher with more than two decades of experience at Yale University, where she designs and leads complex studies on human behavior, trust, and community engagement. Her work is grounded in rigorous methodology, providing deep insight into how people connect, assign value, and build lasting relationships.
This unique combination of cultural awareness and research expertise informs her approach to wine. By applying sociological perspectives to the world of wine, she helps uncover and communicate its deeper cultural significance. Through the integration of art, storytelling, and research-based frameworks, Vanessa contributes to redefining wine as an experience shaped by creativity, human connection, and enduring meaning.