Bending Branch names first COO as business expands across wine, bourbon, hospitality and custom crush services
June 1, 2026 (Comfort, TX) — Bending Branch today announced it has named its first Chief Operating Officer, promoting Jennifer Cernosek to the new position. Since joining the winery as direct-to-consumer manager in 2018, Cernosek has advanced from General Manager to commanding the full breadth of a four-brand company. She now leads a team of nearly 40 individuals spanning winemaking and cellar operations, bourbon production, vineyard management, hospitality, marketing, sales and facilities, along with a robust custom crush program serving more than 20 Texas wineries.
“Jennifer came to Bending Branch with exceptional skills and a remarkable work ethic, and she has played an integral role in the growth and development of the business,” said Dr. Bob Young, CEO and Executive Winemaker. “She knows our people, our partners and our mission with a depth that only comes from genuine commitment, and she leads this company with the same care and integrity as if it were her own. Promoting her to COO is both the right recognition for what she has contributed and the right foundation for where Bending Branch is headed.”
Cernosek brings a record of organizational leadership and managing complex operations. Before joining Bending Branch, she served as engagement director for a statewide organization with approximately 65,000 members. She has served her community through association committees and in long-time volunteer leadership roles, including as a board director of the Comfort Area Foundation. She holds a WSET Level 3 certification and is a credentialed Executive Bourbon Steward, teaching WSET Levels 1 and 2 classes as well as the Associate Bourbon Steward course.
“In addition to the caliber of our wines and bourbons, it’s the quality of the people at Bending Branch that makes this company truly extraordinary,” said Cernosek. “From our incredible team to our grower partners and industry relationships across Texas, this is a remarkable group of people doing exceptional work. Serving alongside Dr. Bob, Alison and this entire team is a privilege, and I am deeply honored to lead in this capacity.”
About Bending Branch and its Brands
Bending Branch, which includes a portfolio of four brands, was founded in 2009 by Dr. Bob Young, his wife Brenda, and their daughter Alison, who is President and Master Bourbon Blender. Bending Branch Winery is widely recognized as the Tannat House of Texas, a leader in the state’s wine industry and one of its most innovative and decorated producers. Driven by a commitment to science,
artisanal craftsmanship and sustainability, the winery has earned top honors at the San Francisco International Wine Competition, Houston Rodeo Uncorked! International Wine Competition, and the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition, was named 2020 Grand Champion at the Texas Sustainable Winegrowing Competition, and was recognized as a 2024 Hot Brand by WineBusiness Monthly.
Bending Branch Winery has been receiving national recognition for its groundbreaking work with Texas White Oak aging to elevate Texas terroir with wines and bourbons, which has been researched and spearheaded by Dr. Bob Young.
The winery also operates a custom crush program serving more than 20 Texas wineries, reflecting its broader role in the growth of the Texas wine industry.
Bending Branch also owns and operates the Ursa Vineyards wine brand, acquired in 2014, which brings a California-produced dimension to the lineup, with the majority of its wine sales and wine club membership rooted in Texas. Bourbon brands Bending Branch 1840 and ChickenDuck, both launched in 2023, extend the company’s commitment to craft and innovation beyond the wine cellar.
In 2025, Bending Branch opened a striking 5,500 square foot tasting room on its Comfort estate, designed to immerse visitors in the full breadth of the portfolio. The facility features multiple indoor tasting areas, a dedicated library wine tasting room, a merchandise shop and expansive outdoor spaces.
The winery’s onsite estate vineyard in Comfort has been organically farmed since its founding. In partnership with other organic vineyard sites in the state, Bending Branch Winery’s first certified organic wine release is anticipated in Spring 2027. For more information, visit www.bendingbranch.com.
