Our Nutty Crew
The Gullett Family
Founders & Owners
The Gullett Family
Vino Noceto is a family-owned winery rooted in a deep love of Sangiovese, hospitality, and the Shenandoah Valley. Founded in 1987 by Suzy and Jim Gullett, the winery is now led by their daughter, Lindy Gullett, who continues the family’s vision with the support and guidance of Jim and the broader Gullett family.
The whole Gullett Family welcomes you to our world of Italian wine, and we are proud to produce the "Best Sangiovese in California."
The whole Gullett Family welcomes you to our world of Italian wine, and we are proud to produce the "Best Sangiovese in California."
& The Amazing team who gets wine to your glass
Rusty Folena
Winemaker
Rusty Folena
Winemaker
Rusty@noceto.com
Rusty Folena started his career in winemaking as a teenager, sweeping floors at Santino winery and pruning vines in the Original Grandpere Vineyard. Rusty joined Vino Noceto as Assistant Winemaker in early 1999. In 2001 he became Winemaker. Due to his early vineyard work and the direction of his tutors, Scott Harvey & Gordon Binz, Rusty understands and naturally pursues fruit-driven, varietally-accurate wines. This makes him ideal for Vino Noceto’s style and approach to winemaking.
Rusty Folena started his career in winemaking as a teenager, sweeping floors at Santino winery and pruning vines in the Original Grandpere Vineyard. Rusty joined Vino Noceto as Assistant Winemaker in early 1999. In 2001 he became Winemaker. Due to his early vineyard work and the direction of his tutors, Scott Harvey & Gordon Binz, Rusty understands and naturally pursues fruit-driven, varietally-accurate wines. This makes him ideal for Vino Noceto’s style and approach to winemaking.
Jim Gullett
Founder
Jim Gullett
Founder
jgullett@noceto.com
Jim Gullett co-founded Vino Noceto with his wife, Suzy, driven by a shared passion for Sangiovese, community, and building a welcoming winery rooted in family values. Over the decades, Jim helped shape Noceto’s vineyards, wines, and culture, establishing it as a cornerstone of the Shenandoah Valley. Today, he remains actively involved as an advisor and decision-maker, offering guidance and institutional knowledge while supporting the winery’s next generation of leadership.
Jim Gullett co-founded Vino Noceto with his wife, Suzy, driven by a shared passion for Sangiovese, community, and building a welcoming winery rooted in family values. Over the decades, Jim helped shape Noceto’s vineyards, wines, and culture, establishing it as a cornerstone of the Shenandoah Valley. Today, he remains actively involved as an advisor and decision-maker, offering guidance and institutional knowledge while supporting the winery’s next generation of leadership.
Lindy Gullett
President
Lindy Gullett, PhD
President
Lindy@noceto.com
Lindy Gullett has answered Club Member phone calls and worked winery events since her elementary school days. A certified Level One sommelier, she loves wine, hospitality, learning, and sharing knowledge. One of her favorite childhood memories is sneaking into the winery with her mom to steal Frivolo straight from the tank. Today, her go-to bottle is Noceto’s Riserva Sangiovese, though when there’s time for a few years in the cellar, she’s especially fond of OGP Zinfandel library vintages.
Lindy Gullett has answered Club Member phone calls and worked winery events since her elementary school days. A certified Level One sommelier, she loves wine, hospitality, learning, and sharing knowledge. One of her favorite childhood memories is sneaking into the winery with her mom to steal Frivolo straight from the tank. Today, her go-to bottle is Noceto’s Riserva Sangiovese, though when there’s time for a few years in the cellar, she’s especially fond of OGP Zinfandel library vintages.
Anamieke Kegge
Director of Operations
Anamieke Kegge
Director of Operations
Anamieke@noceto.com
Anamieke grew up in Amador County and started her career in the wine industry back in 2009 with Cooper Vineyards. She ran our Wine Club and marketing from 2014-2015 and returned to us in October of 2024 in the role of Operations Manager. When Anamieke is not at the winery, you can usually find her with her husband and two daughters, or in her kitchen or workshop. She is an avid baker, cook and hostess who loves to throw dinner parties and loves all aspects of hospitality.
Anamieke grew up in Amador County and started her career in the wine industry back in 2009 with Cooper Vineyards. She ran our Wine Club and marketing from 2014-2015 and returned to us in October of 2024 in the role of Operations Manager. When Anamieke is not at the winery, you can usually find her with her husband and two daughters, or in her kitchen or workshop. She is an avid baker, cook and hostess who loves to throw dinner parties and loves all aspects of hospitality.
Larry Sapperstein
Director of Sales & Marketing
Larry Sapperstein
Director of Sales & Marketing
Larry@noceto.com
Larry brings to Vino Noceto over 36 years of experience in the Wine & Spirits industry. His career in the wine industry began in distribution with Wirtz Beverage Group in sales and then evolved to the General Manager of the fine wine division overseeing the sales team in Northern Nevada. His admiration for the wines at Vino Noceto began in 1998 while developing a relationship with the winery and a love of Sangiovese.
Larry brings to Vino Noceto over 36 years of experience in the Wine & Spirits industry. His career in the wine industry began in distribution with Wirtz Beverage Group in sales and then evolved to the General Manager of the fine wine division overseeing the sales team in Northern Nevada. His admiration for the wines at Vino Noceto began in 1998 while developing a relationship with the winery and a love of Sangiovese.
Anna Perschbacher
Tasting Room Manager
Anna Perschbacher
Tasting Room Manager
anna@noceto.com
Though she's the newest member of Noceto's team, Anna Perschbacher is already one of the most beloved. A mighty combo of diligent administrative acumen and human-centric customer service, Anna truly loves wine and hospitality. You'll often find her laughing with customers on the floor and making sure every step of the tasting experience wows our guests. In her spare time, Anna loves to pluck strings at archery competitions.
Though she's the newest member of Noceto's team, Anna Perschbacher is already one of the most beloved. A mighty combo of diligent administrative acumen and human-centric customer service, Anna truly loves wine and hospitality. You'll often find her laughing with customers on the floor and making sure every step of the tasting experience wows our guests. In her spare time, Anna loves to pluck strings at archery competitions.
Kristin Crocker
Club & Office Coordinator
Kristin Crocker
Club & Office Coordinator
Kristin@noceto.com
Kristin has been a valued member of the Vino Noceto team since 2006. Originally from the flatlands, she moved to Amador County over 35 years ago after marrying a hometown boy. Kristin’s role at Vino Noceto encompasses a wide range of club and administrative duties. She is a key figure in ensuring that your favorite wines make it safely to your doorstep and ready to lend a helping hand with any of your needs. Whether you're visiting midweek or at an event, Kristin is sure to make you feel welcome. Be sure to stop by and say hello!
Kristin has been a valued member of the Vino Noceto team since 2006. Originally from the flatlands, she moved to Amador County over 35 years ago after marrying a hometown boy. Kristin’s role at Vino Noceto encompasses a wide range of club and administrative duties. She is a key figure in ensuring that your favorite wines make it safely to your doorstep and ready to lend a helping hand with any of your needs. Whether you're visiting midweek or at an event, Kristin is sure to make you feel welcome. Be sure to stop by and say hello!
Chella Giovacchini
Events & Outreach Coordinator
Chella Giovacchini
Events & Outreach Coordinator
Chellag@noceto.com
Chella grew up in the beautiful rolling hills of Calaveras County, a true native of our surrounding areas. Being of Italian descent, she is well versed in Italian wine. Chella has been in the hospitality business for over 15 years and is always gravitating towards all things “FUN”, so it only made sense that she’s in charge of Noceto’s Events. She has a deep love for guests’ experience and a profound knowledge of what makes people tick!
Chella grew up in the beautiful rolling hills of Calaveras County, a true native of our surrounding areas. Being of Italian descent, she is well versed in Italian wine. Chella has been in the hospitality business for over 15 years and is always gravitating towards all things “FUN”, so it only made sense that she’s in charge of Noceto’s Events. She has a deep love for guests’ experience and a profound knowledge of what makes people tick!
Jessica Herndon
Administrative Assistant
Jessica Herndon
Administrative Assistant
jherndon@noceto.com
Jessica comes from 21 years of banking experience, working a variety of positions before moving on over Vino Noceto. She is an active member of the Rotary Club of Plymouth-Foothills. Jessica has a deep love for the outdoors, all seasons, animals and plants. You might find her snowboarding, enjoying the lake or beaches, or deep and dirty in the adventures of being a backyard gardener. Her love for nature and people make the Vino Noceto family the right place.
Jessica comes from 21 years of banking experience, working a variety of positions before moving on over Vino Noceto. She is an active member of the Rotary Club of Plymouth-Foothills. Jessica has a deep love for the outdoors, all seasons, animals and plants. You might find her snowboarding, enjoying the lake or beaches, or deep and dirty in the adventures of being a backyard gardener. Her love for nature and people make the Vino Noceto family the right place.
Patrik AJ Brown
Cellar Master
Patrik AJ Brown
Cellar Master
Patrik, a transplant from Mississippi who has migrated to Amador County, can be found working in our winery and vineyards. His work ranges from running sulfurs and alcohols in our lab to racking wine in the cellar to walking the vineyards fixing irrigation. Patrik started his wine career working in the cellar at the former Renwood Winery. After a brief stint of cooking at a local casino, he found his way to Noceto.
Mac Williamson
Wine Guide Extraordinaire
Mac Williamson
Wine Guide Extraordinaire
Mac is a transplant from Encinitas, CA where he spent 25+ years in Market Research and Business Development on the B2B and distribution side of the wine industry. Arriving in Amador County in 2018, Mac instantly fell in love with the County's diverse wine selections and Vino Noceto's Sangivese. He spends his free time cycling the Shenandoah Valley hills, skiing the Sierras, and trekking with his Golden Retriever Maci.
& Countless, Indispensable part-time staff Members
Here at Vino Noceto we have over 20 part-time staff, including long-time Nuts Henry Archangel, Kevin Porta, Patty Collett-Robb, Andrea Madden, and Michelle Bell and new faces like Frank, Mike and Debbie.
Want to join our crew? Shoot us an email at info@noceto.com.
Commitment to Community
Vino Noceto regularly donates wine and time to the local community, ensuring that we contribute to the people, businesses, and organizations around us that make our livelihood possible.
Jim has been president of the Amador County Business Council, Treasurer of the Amador County Wine Grape Grower’s Association, and served on the Board of the Amador Council of Tourism. He is past president of the Plymouth-Foothills Rotary Club and the Family Winemakers of California. Suzy served for many years as Treasurer of Amador Vintners Association, is a past president of Diablo Valley Hadassah, and spent many years donating her time to numerous charitable organizations.
Adopting responsible employment practices is also a priority for us; all regular employees are provided a living wage and real benefits.
