Jean-François Pellet

Jean-François Pellet is the visionary Winemaker and Partner behind Pepper Bridge Winery, bringing a lifetime of global experience and a deep-rooted passion for viticulture to the Walla Walla Valley. A third-generation winemaker from Switzerland, he grew up working alongside his father, who managed the same vineyard for over 30 years. His hands-on upbringing, combined with a formal education in enology and viticulture, shaped his meticulous and innovative approach to sustainable winemaking.

His career spans renowned wine regions across Switzerland, Germany, Spain, and the United States, including a tenure at Heitz Cellars in Napa Valley. In 1999, Norm McKibben recruited him to lead Pepper Bridge Winery—a role he initially saw as temporary but ultimately embraced for the long term, becoming an owning partner and driving force behind the winery’s success. Under his leadership, Pepper Bridge has earned a reputation for crafting distinguished, Bordeaux-style wines that express the unique terroir of Walla Walla. Jean-François also leads Amavi Cellars’ winemaking, applying his expertise to its modern, terroir-driven style since the winery’s founding in 2001.

His deep connection to the vineyards for both wineries is evident throughout the growing season—you’ll find him in the fields monitoring vine and soil health, assessing bud break, collaborating on canopy management, tasting berries for harvest, and fine-tuning every stage of the process.

Beyond Pepper Bridge and Amavi, he is a partner in several key industry ventures, including Octave Vineyard, Artifex Wine Co. (a custom-crush facility), and a mobile bottling line, further demonstrating his dedication to elevating Washington State’s wine industry. With every bottle he crafts, Jean-François Pellet invites wine lovers to experience the essence of Walla Walla’s terroir—a perfect balance of tradition and innovation.

Jean-François may be reached at jf@pepperbridge.com.