Our Nutty Crew
Jim & Suzy Gullett
Founders & Owners
Suzy & Jim Gullett
Suzy and Jim Gullett are the owners of Vino Noceto. They lived in Lafayette, CA for 19 years, where they raised their family until 1995.
After 11 years of long-distance farming and winemaking, they moved to the Shenandoah Valley in order to drive the growth of their vineyard and winery operations. Their three children -- Randy, Bobby, and Lindy -- were each actively involved in the business through childhood, providing manual labor, office support and occasional wine deliveries. All three now live in the Bay Area -- Randy, wife Mary, and two sons in Alamo, Lindy in San Francisco, and Bobby in Walnut Creek (not far from Suzy's childhood home).
You'll often find them mingling with the customers -- answering phones, giving tours, or standing behind the bar in the tasting room.
After 11 years of long-distance farming and winemaking, they moved to the Shenandoah Valley in order to drive the growth of their vineyard and winery operations. Their three children -- Randy, Bobby, and Lindy -- were each actively involved in the business through childhood, providing manual labor, office support and occasional wine deliveries. All three now live in the Bay Area -- Randy, wife Mary, and two sons in Alamo, Lindy in San Francisco, and Bobby in Walnut Creek (not far from Suzy's childhood home).
You'll often find them mingling with the customers -- answering phones, giving tours, or standing behind the bar in the tasting room.
& 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.
Anamieke Kegge
Operations Manager
Anamieke Kegge
Operations Manager
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.
Kristin Crocker
Club & Office Manager
Kristin Crocker
Club & Office Manager
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 aspires to create unique experiences and memorable moments.
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 aspires to create unique experiences and memorable moments.
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
Mac Williamson
Wine Guide Extraordinaire
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.
& Countless, Indispensable part-time staff Members
Here at Vino Noceto we have over 20 part-time staff, including long-time Nut Patty Collett-Robb, Andrea Madden, 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 is currently president of the Amador County Business Council, Treasurer of the Amador County Wine Grape Grower’s Association, and serves 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.
