Our Team
Pedernales Cellars is a family owned and operated winery. The sixth generation Texas family feels a deep connection to the landscape and values of the area. The team that makes up the staff of Pedernales Cellars collectively has decades of experience of the wine industry in Texas. If you wish to join our team, please contact us at [email protected].
Julie Kuhlken, PhD, WSET III
Julie Kuhlken is co-founder and CEO of Pedernales Cellars. A graduate of Stanford University, Julie received a doctorate in Philosophy and has taught at universities in Europe and North America. She holds the WSET III certification, which she received with distinction, and has served in various leadership positions in the Texas wine industry and local community. She is a regularly published author, passionate about wine, art, and philanthropy – those loves have come together in Pedernales Cellars’ partnership with the Hill Country Film Festival. Follow Dr. Julie on Instagram @drjuliekuhlken and her wine reviews @winesbydrjulie. Check out her recent interview about what its like to own Pedernales Cellars.
David Kuhlken
David Kuhlken is co-founder, President, and Winemaker of Pedernales Cellars. He is a sixth generation Texan and graduate of Rice University and the McCombs School of Business at the University of Texas. He studied oenology and viticulture at the University of California at Davis. His involvement in the Texas wine industry goes back to the early 1990s, when he and his family first planted the vineyard carrying his family name, Kuhlken Vineyards. Follow Dave on Instagram at @winemakerdave.
Heather Kuhlken
Heather Kuhlken, co-founder, helped oversee the interior design of the tasting room, and plays a key role in developing our sustainability programs. As a freelance photographer, she produced the photography found in our tasting room. Her background is in teaching and ecology, and currently runs Families in Nature.
Cathy Martell
Cathy Martell, Direct to Consumer Manager, is a graduate of The University of Wisconsin – La Crosse (but got to Texas as soon as she could). After graduating, she worked as Camp Director at Y.O. Ranch Adventures in Mountain Home, Texas. She further built her leadership and hospitality skills over the following eight years as General Manager of the Kenai Fjords Wilderness Lodge, where she oversaw an upscale resort, two restaurants (one casual, one fine dining), as well as day visitors to this beautiful island off the coast of mainland Alaska. She joined the Pedernales team in January 2021, bringing with her a wealth of mangerial and logistical experience.
Melanie Carter
A Texas native, Melanie Carter moved to Fredericksburg 13 years ago and we are fortunate that she has spent the last 11 with us growing in her career. She has a versatile background in guest service and hospitality; ranging from business development to running her own peach stand. Mel joined the Pedernales Team in 2013 as a part-time associate and through the years has moved to Assistant Tasting Room Manager and now our Wine Club Coordinator. Mel has an extreme eye for detail and true passion for Texas Hospitality.
Amy Sutton
Amy Sutton, Assistant Tasting Room and Events Manager, has been part of the Pedernales family since 2013, when she and her husband became club members. Amy brings a vast knowledge of hospitality, special events, leadership and communication to the Pedernales Cellars team. She was a teacher and librarian in Houston for 17 years before working five years as the Special Events Director for Harris County Precinct 4. Her interest in wine education began at the Siena Wine School in Siena, Italy in 2011 and has become her passion.