The Team
Whether we’re in the vineyards or in the cellar, it takes an incredible commitment to excellence and a shared vision to create remarkable wines and experiences for our friends and guests.
To learn more about our team, please scroll over the icon in the lower right corner of each photo.
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Dennis Cakebread, Founder and Proprietor
Dennis Cakebread, chairman of the board of Napa Valley’s renowned Cakebread Cellars, brings more than 35 years of wine expertise and passion to Mullan Road Cellars. A graduate of the University of California at Berkeley (GO Bears!), Dennis spent his early years working as a CPA and CFO in the financial services industry before joining his family in Napa at Cakebread Cellars in 1987, where he spearheaded the sales and marketing teams and finance.
Over his career, he has built lasting relationships with trade partners and wine enthusiasts alike and was a leader in the movement to update direct-to-consumer shipping laws for wineries.
Drawn to the quality of wines being made in Washington state and having close connections with the wine community in Washington, Dennis started Mullan Road Cellars in 2012. Dennis continues to enjoy the friendships developed and the unique differences between eastern Washington and Napa Valley grape growing and winemaking, and loves drinking the wine we make using vineyards on the Royal Slope. Life is good.
Sally Johnson, Winemaker
Sally, a University of Michigan alum, ignited her passion for winemaking while studying abroad in France. With dual degrees in French literature and biology and a master’s in winemaking from UC Davis, she has crafted a stellar career. Sally has made wine at several prominent wineries, including stints at Sonoma’s St Francis Winery, Australia’s St Hallett Winery, and Napa Valley’s Pride Mountain Vineyards, where two of her wines earned perfect 100-point scores from Robert Parker and garnered three placements on Wine Spectator’s Top 100 list. Sally was also recognized by Glamour magazine as one of the “10 Most Badass Women Winemakers.”
In 2023, Sally launched her consulting business, choosing Mullan Road Cellars as her inaugural client. Drawn to the quality of Washington state’s Royal Slope AVA, she is eager to utilize her extensive winemaking experience with Mullan Road Cellars. Sally relishes exploring vineyards with her Boston terriers, discovering cellar treasures, and pushing the boundaries of winemaking in Washington’s thriving wine scene.
Aaron Fishleder, VP of Operations
Aaron Fishleder, a seasoned viticulture expert, joined Cakebread Cellars in 2020 as Vice President of Operations after an illustrious 20-year tenure at Far Niente Winery, where he rose to President of their farming operations and land holding company. Aaron’s journey in wine began at UC Davis, where he immersed himself in plant science, viticulture, and horticulture.
As head of operations at Mullan Road Cellars, he leverages his experience to lead our grape growing and wine production teams, enhancing the synergies between viticulture, winemaking, and facility management teams.
A staunch advocate for sustainability, Aaron is dedicated to enriching green practices in the vineyard and beyond, ensuring that every bottle of Mullan Road Cellars wine embodies our commitment to the environment.
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