Meet the Team: General Manager and Culinary Director Pete Dulin

Pete Dulin, general manager and culinary director at Fence Stile Vineyards and Winery, contributes an array of skills and experience in business operations, communications, and cuisine.

In coordination with winery owner-founder Shriti Hallberg Plimpton, Pete manages operations, business development, and special events at Fence Stile. His responsibilities also include online communications for the website, newsletter, and social media, and media relations.

“I look forward to telling the story of Fence Stile’s vineyards and wines through words, video, and images as the seasons change,” says Pete. “From the spring bud break to fall harvest and the process of transforming grapes to wine, Fence Stile’s lush countryside setting, talented operations team, and the grapes have rich stories worth sharing.”

As culinary director, Pete creates custom menus and prepares food for special events, such as the Small Bites wine and food pairings, corporate events, and private catering. This summer, he also launched a “chef’s special” at the tasting room on weekends. Dulin selects produce and goods from the City Market and other vendors in Kansas City in the morning and prepares a weekend special of seasonal, small-batch dishes designed to pair with Fence Stile’s wines.

“Food is communal, an expression of hospitality that extends to family, friends, and guests,” says Pete. “It’s the same with wine, sharing a bottle of Vignoles or sparkling wine with others to celebrate, commiserate, or simply toast a well-lived day. I want to produce food that marries well with Fence Stile’s wines and creates an inviting setting for our guests and friends.”

Dulin’s French-based culinary experience traces back to his kitchen work at Le Fou Frog in Kansas City as well as catering and culinary work in KC and Boston. Dulin draws on his Thai upbringing, French training, and love of ingredients from other cultures to create flavorful dishes.

A native of Kansas City, Pete is perhaps best known for his work as an author, freelance writer, photographer, and editor. He has written about food, drink, business, and community for print and online publications for nearly 20 years. His work has appeared in Feast Magazine, Flatland, The Kansas City Star, Thinking Bigger, Visit KC, Northland Lifestyle, River Front Times, and other publications. He was the co-founder and editor-in-chief of PresentMagazine.com, an online food, arts, and culture magazine from 2006–2011.

He is the author of the travel guide Expedition of Thirst: Exploring Breweries, Wineries, and Distilleries Across the Heart of Kansas and Missouri (October 2017 release), Kansas City Beer: A History of Brewing in the Heartland, Last Bite: 100 Simple Recipes from Kansas City’s Best Chefs and Cooks, and KC Ale Trail.

His business experience includes decade-long corporate work in the mutual fund industry, entrepreneurship, managing a small family-run business, and consulting.

​“I’m excited to work with Shriti, who founded Fence Stile with a bold vision, vineyard manager Shawna Mull, and our tasting room team,” says Pete. “I’m eager to learn and share knowledge of our wines, winemaking processes, and the story of Fence Stile.”

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