Winemaking Operations Manager at Pernod Ricard
https://www.linkedin.com/in/tom-dodson-8796511b
Hello all,
I would like to express my deepest appreciation for Julie’s outstanding contributions to Kenwood Vineyards. Kenwood boasts a long and distinguished history of exceptional winemaking, and I am grateful to Julie for her invaluable support over the past several years.
I first met Julie in 2002 while she was working at Gallo’s Frie Ranch. At that early stage in my career, it was evident that she was a key member of the winemaking team.
Years later, when Kenwood Vineyards required additional winemaking expertise, Julie was highly recommended as a leading consultant in our industry. And so, with a simple handshake, our journey began.
I found Julie’s approach to winemaking to be truly dynamic and multifaceted. She possesses a remarkable ability to both embrace the challenge of crafting terroir-driven wines with a focus on precision and seamlessly adapt to the diverse fiscal demands of producing cost-effective commercial wines. Her extensive knowledge of viticulture proved invaluable, providing crucial guidance on critical picking decisions, treatments, and fermentation practices.
Beyond her winemaking expertise, Julie demonstrated a keen understanding of winery operations, offering valuable insights into best sanitation practices and employee training standards. This holistic perspective helped us identify and address blind spots and implement best practices as we continuously strive for improvement.
In essence, we not only hired a winemaking consultant; we gained a true business partner who provided clear guidance on the necessary steps and the pathways to achieve our goals.This past weekend, I opened a bottle of our 2021 Pinot Noir Santa Nella, one of the finest wines produced during my tenure at the winery. As I savored the wine, I couldn’t help but reflect on the vintage and the invaluable support, leadership, and tireless dedication that Julie provided throughout the process.
Bravo to you, Julie! My gratitude and appreciation for your unwavering support will forever be cherished.
Barrel Down Wine Services, Livermore, CA
https://www.linkedin.com/in/meredithsarboraria
Julie is highly knowledgeable when it comes to winemaking, wine science, and winery sanitation. She is skilled at helping wineries achieve the wine style they are looking to produce. She has an easy-going demeanor and always has a smile on her face.
November 23, 2025
Julie, and her work, are Excellent.
This letter documents my work with Julie over a period of a year. I needed to organize and document the 4300 bottles of wine in my collection. I needed someone with wine technical expertise, to understand what we were handling, to document it, to join me in sensory evaluation of certain bottles and to then organize the wines, and record our findings.
Her qualities helped to make this project a success:
Julie has excellent organizational skills which I needed to sort, record, and package all the wines for their final destination: keep, sell, give, remove. She worked quickly, and sourced and used the resources needed.
Julie is responsible and reliable. She came to my cellar in the country, dressed for a day of work in a cold wine storage area; moved full and partial cases around as part of getting them to their destination, was invaluable doing sensory work to provide me with a second opinion, and analyzed the external of each bottle – label quality, foil condition; label information, and condition of wine (color, headspace details). Julie is a seasoned wine professional. I did not have to spend time explaining the details of the wine, its origin, its condition; its potential. She understood package goods; wine aging systems; conditions needed for correct aging. She handled the many bottles with care and respect.
She has an excellent palate and was invaluable in this regard. Julie was a pleasure to work with, with a good work ethic, a sense of humor, an innovative streak; honest, with good judgement. That project took three quarters of a year to complete, during that time she was available between her other work. She then worked with a specialist in aged wine sales, to access the wines when needed and keep records as the wines were depleted.
I have considered myself fortunate to have had her assistance; the process got a complicated project completed; the valuable wines sensitively handled and moved on to their respective destinations.
Zelma Long, Ph.D.
Retired:
Simi Winery CEO, winemaker, Sonoma County
Vilafonte founding owner and winemaker, South Africa
Robert Mondavi Enologist/Winemaker
Long Vineyards, founding owner and winemaker
Manager Public Relations & Strategic Alliance at Diageo Chateau & Estate Wines
LinkedIn.com/in/philippa-jones-b660544
Julie is a wonderfully gifted winemaker with an extraordinary palate. I believe that her previous life as a chef has given her a real feel for lot blending and for delicate aromas and flavors. It has always been a pleasure to pour Julie’s wines for media or VIPs because I know that the response will be positive. Additionally, Julie approaches each task with meticulous attention to detail and organization, an attribute that I really appreciate and have grown to rely on.
Julie’s passion for her trade was evident as she worked diligently to achieve the highest standards possible for our fine wines. Julie always maintained a great attitude and didn’t leave until the job was complete. Julie was always very approachable and communicated openly with the cellar team, willing to share her knowledge of winemaking.
I enjoyed working with Julie. While we were working together, she was a true team player and was very dedicated to her profession. Her technical skills, combined with her fine palate and background in culinary arts has allowed her to excel in her profession.
Julie is an excellent communicator in professional and personal domains. Her great personal integrity, calmness and brightness illuminate people around her and encourage team working. Julie is very accurate and clear in the messages she is sending to the audience.
She is scientific and common-sense winemaking professional. I have known and worked with Julie through various winemaking organizations in Napa (ASEV, CERA & NWVTG) and I’m giving my highest endorsement for her.
Julie is one of the most talented and passionate flavor specialists I know. I know she is a winemaker, but beyond that she is a professional chef and when tasting with her as a winemaker she is dead on the money. Great attitude and a joy to work with.
Julie is a talented and dedicated winemaker with an eye for detail, a wonderful palate gained from her time as a chef and a strong ability to communicate how and why her wines taste as good as they do.
Julie’s passion for wine shows up in every bottle. Her knowledge, professionalism and her desire for constant improvement is amazing. Julie assisted me with wine training for new hires and was always unselfish with her time and knowledge. Julie is reliable, dedicated and her work ethic is of the highest order. I’d work with her again in a heartbeat!
Julie is energetic, fun, and talented. Her years of experience have made her competent with the tools of our trade. That along with her beaming personality give me confidence in giving her the highest recommendation I can.
Julie and I together co-chaired for one year the Winemaking Techniques committee of CERA, the California Enological Research Association. I could not have asked for a better partner in this task. Julie is always incredibly devoted to every project to which she commits. She continually raises the bar for herself and those around her. Even more, she is a wonderful person!
I’ve worked with Julie on several projects within the scope of our business and I have found her to be extremely passionate about what she does and very willing and excited to share that passion with others. I enjoy her enthusiasm and knowledge that she brings to the job.
Julie’s thorough understanding of her craft allows her to make wonderful wines that are full of character and interest. Julie’s leadership in the California Enological Research Association revived the organization and helped a new generation of wine producers to learn more about their field and keep current with technical advances. Furthermore, she is a joy to work with.
Julie is an extraordinary consulting winemaker with whom I had the pleasure of working with for several vintages. She is detail-oriented and has a great work ethic. Great experience and focus in all aspects of winemaking from the vineyards to the bottle. She is part of a group of fantastic winemakers who are less recognized but as equally accomplished as the well-known set. Her wines and their praise speak for themselves!
Julie has an incredible mix of expertise. Combining her expertise as a winemaker, experience as a chef, and deep knowledge of mycology (mushrooms!), Julie has the flexibility, insight, and know-how to be a top-notch consultant and engaging trainer in a number of fields where both deep and broad knowledge count. And Julie has the passion and personality you just enjoy being around.
Julie is a talented Winemaker and and has an easy and succinct style of communication. Highly recommend her.
Julie is a multifaceted chef and winemaker. Always been a pleasure to work with her.
“Julie possesses a wide range of experience over decades as a skilled chef and winemaker for several top brands.”
“Julie is top notch talent!”
“Excellent Winemaker, Chef, Mushroom Forager. Honest, articulate and thorough.”