Julie Pedroncelli St. John is the President and 3rd Generation Owner of Pedroncelli Winery, located in Geyserville, Sonoma County. Julie grew up in the family home next to the winery. She attended Dominican University and, soon after graduating with a BA in English, returned home to work at the winery, first in the tasting room and then in administration. Julie later took on additional marketing communications responsibilities. Taking advantage of her degree, she began by writing Pedroncelli’s first newsletter, later on started the winery blog Vino in my Dino, and developed materials promoting their line of wines for the trade. Traveling as the ‘Brand Ambassador’ took her from the northwest through the northeast of the United States and Canada. Wine and food pairing is a passion evidenced by the wine-friendly recipes collected and posted on the winery website. She became president of the winery board in 2022. 2024 marks her 39th year in the family business.
Julie has been involved with many wine industry groups over the years including her current role as a board member with the Wine Institute, and Sonoma County Wine Library Association. She has been married to Ed St. John since 1989 and resides in Healdsburg with their Australian Shepherd Jasper. Proud stepmother of 2 and Grammie to 5 grandchildren. She became a member of the Pacific Empire Chorus in 2024 where she sings in the lead section. Media Inquiries Julie@pedroncelli.com | https://www.pedroncelli.com/our-story/the-pedroncelli-family/
What’s the ONE THING most unique, authentic, & memorable about your winery brand?
Pedroncelli Winery was founded by my grandparents Giovanni & Giulia Pedroncelli in 1927 when they purchased a shuttered winery (it was mid-Prohibition), 25 acres of vineyard and a home. They continued to sell the grapes for the remainder of Prohibition and began making wine once Repealed—so 1934—it is our 90th year of making wine and 97th year owning the property and growing grapes. We have had 3 head winemakers over these decades beginning with my grandfather who in turn trained my uncle John. Our current winemaker Montserrat Reece was hired in 2007 and is now overseeing her 18th harvest. Now we are a four-generation family-owned and operated business and it is our pleasure to honor the first two generations and all of their work to build up our brand. We farm 100 acres of estate grapes over 3 distinct areas of Dry Creek Valley where we have had our home for generations.
Describe how and what you’d do with your winemaking career or winery business if you were not constrained. Sky’s the limit!
I would become an agritourism site diversifying what we grow and make, my grandparents had an extensive year-round garden with fruit, nut, and citrus trees. I would also feature a Farm to Table restaurant near where my grandparents used to host alfresco Sunday dinners.
What is the One Wine most emblematic of your brand and/or winemaking style? Tell us its story.
Zinfandel!! This grape is interwoven into our 97 years. The grapes were planted by an Italian family who owned the property before us (1904-1919 making wine for their North Beach store and then with Prohibition they farmed the grapes until they sold the property to my grandparents). I have grown to love this grape and its’ versatile style-we have been making a Rose from it for 70 vintages, it was the first variety we bottled in 1947 under our own name and we make 5 distinct single vineyard wines from this grape. Zinfandel is underestimated as a variety and that is too bad because I feel it brings so much personality to the glass. Our winemaker Montse says Zinfandel tells the story of the vintage because it is so transparent—what goes during the growing and harvest season is on display in the wine! Read the 2022 Pedroncelli “Mother Clone” Zinfandel review here.
Bonus Question – What’s the one thing people would be surprised to learn about you?
I sing in a competitive chorus! It’s the Pacific Empire Chorus: I auditioned in January 2024 for a spot in this chorus. They are celebrating their 60th anniversary this year! I sing in the lead section and this is a competitive chorus that has won regional and international competitions. I am thrilled to challenge myself with such a wonderful group of women.
Photo Credit Amber Burke