Jerry Nehls has played a key role on the production team at Apex Cellars since the beginning. As the first and only Apex cellarmaster, he’s helped Brian Carter in the winery for almost twenty years with equipment maintenance, laboratory tests, and supervision of cellar staff.

2007 – After a long tenure as cellarmaster, Jerry became the winery operations manager of Apex Cellars’ new winery facilities in Prosser and Grandview.

1989 – Jerry left Chateau Ste. Michelle and became the cellarmaster at Washington Hills Cellars, now Apex Cellars. Over the years, Jerry has worked closely with Brian, and with the various assistant winemakers who worked for Brian and have since moved on to winemaker positions, including: Ray Sandidge of CR Sandidge wines, Tom DiBello of CedarCreek Estate Winery in British Columbia, Craig Larson of Maryhill Winery, Flint Nelson of Kestrel Vintners, and Andy Gamache of Hyatt Vineyards winery.

1983 – Jerry began his career in the wine industry, working in the cellar at Chateau Ste. Michelle.

Jerry’s roots are in the Yakima Valley. He was born in Prosser, and grew up working on his family’s wheat ranch in the Horse Heaven Hills. After graduation, Jerry spent several years working as a welder, a skill that he puts to good use in the winery. He and his family live in Yakima, Washington, where they just purchased a home with three acres of woodlands. Jerry is very busy with all of his responsibilities in the winery, but in his spare time, he enjoys camping and gardening.