Known as the woman who has made more pisco than anyone in Peru, Carmen Gonzales leads production at Destilería La Caravedo Est. 1684, the oldest working distillery in the Americas.
Responsible for transforming acres of estate-grown grapes into thousands of liters of award-winning pisco each year, Carmen combines a deep understanding of the land with a chemical engineering degree from San Luis Gonzaga University of Ica. Her connection to pisco runs in her blood—raised in Ica in a pisco-producing family, she was drawn back to her country’s heritage spirit despite initially planning a career in dairy production.
Carmen began her career in 2000 as an intern at CITEVID (now CITE Agroindustrial), where she gained foundational expertise in viticulture and established her commitment to producing pisco of the highest quality. After studying viticulture and oenology in Jerez, Spain, she returned to Peru to teach grape-growing and winemaking techniques in Tacna before joining La Caravedo in January 2011.
Today, she leads production with equal focus on quality and people—instilling pride in everyone from vineyard workers to bottling line staff. Her leadership fosters a family environment from grape to glass. Carmen’s favorite expression is Caravedo Mosto Verde Acholado for its versatility, and she invites visitors to Ica to tour the distillery, taste her pisco, and experience the heritage of Hacienda La Caravedo.
Mr. Johnny Schuler
Mr. Johnny Schuler
Regarded as the world’s foremost pisco authority, Johnny Schuler has dedicated his life to celebrating, protecting, and advancing Peru’s national spirit. In 2011, Caravedo founders Bill and Brent Kallop invited Johnny to help create the finest handcrafted pisco—thus beginning the Caravedo journey.
Johnny’s passion began in 1977 when, after judging 80 piscos in a single competition, he was astonished by their diversity, depth, and complexity. Since then, he has been one of pisco’s most tireless advocates, educating spirits professionals and the public around the world on its culture, heritage, and craftsmanship.
For over two decades, Johnny has worked with government and industry to establish and enforce strict pisco regulations. He has served on INDECOPI to verify the authenticity of piscos seeking official designation, is a member of the National Commission of Pisco (CONAPISCO) and was a founding member and 17-year president of the National Tasters Guild of Peru. The Peruvian Congress awarded him the Medal of Honor for his contributions.
A celebrated speaker and judge at international spirits competitions—including the Concours Mondial de Bruxelles—Johnny also shares his expertise on his popular TV show Por Las Rutas del Pisco, aired throughout Latin America and the United States. A trained chef and successful restaurateur, he showcases Caravedo Piscos in the dishes and bars of his Peruvian restaurants, Granja Azul and Key Club.
