After eight years managing restaurants including three years at San Francisco-based Morton’s Steakhouse, Jeff Zappelli joined HALL Wines in 2006, helping define one of the most successful Direct to Consumer industry efforts in the Napa Valley. In 2012, with the 2010 vintage, Craig and Kathryn Walt Hall unveiled a long sought-after project –a Pinot Noir and Chardonnay label under WALT which expanded Zappelli’s role to both HALL and WALT brands.
In 2016, Zappelli was appointed General Manager of WALT, making him responsible for the day-to-day operations and strategic planning for the Sonoma-based brand. Zappelli is an active speaker throughout the Bay Area, participating in conversations and panels related to direct-to-consumer trends, wine industry technology, sales as a science, CRM and direct marketing campaign strategies.
Born in Seattle, WA, he attended the University of California Santa Barbara and earned a Bachelor’s of Science in Biopsychology. He currently resides in Marin County with his wife, Veronika, and their three children.

 

Erin Hamada-Bigelow started her luxury fine wine career in 2006 with Breakthru Beverage Distributor in Washington, D.C. representing HALL Family Wines and launching the first vintages of WALT Pinot Noir. During those eight years, she managed a territory of fine dining On Premise accounts and was promoted to Fine Wine Division Manager. In 2014, she joined Duckhorn Portfolio as the Mid-Atlantic District Manager and returned to her hometown of San Diego in 2016 to take a position as the Regional CA Sales Manager. She currently holds a WSET III with merit and graduated Cum Laude from the Elliott School of International Affairs at the George Washington University.

 

Ryan Williams is a hospitality veteran. He began his career with his own catering business, Williams & Wynn beginning in April of 2003. He went on to enroll in the wine program at The Professional Culinary Institute in January 2007, led by Master Sommelier David Glancy. He completed the course in March 2007 as a Certified Sommelier through the Court of Masters Sommeliers. Ryan began a position as Assistant Wine Director in December 2007 at Ana Mandara Restaurant, San Francisco, transitioning to Wine Director in June 2008 until it’s closing in November 2011. Ryan was the Assistant General Manager/Wine Director of Dixie Restaurant in the Presidio from May 2013 through October 2013. Ryan arrived at HALL Family Wines as a Wine Educator in October 2013. He also served as the winery sommelier and trade host. He moved into the Visitor Center Manager role in 2015. Ryan is currently the Northern California District Manager for the wholesale team.

 

Over the last 14 years, James has worked for Southern Wine & Spirits, Constellation Brands, and Round Pond Estate. He has experienced all sides of the distributor and supplier industry, from small family-owned wines to large corporate brands. These experiences have influenced his career direction. "I enjoy working with wines that have a sense of place, a story but also for people that make you feel like part of a family." James brings a vast amount of experience, knowledge, relationships and ‘street cred’ to the Northeast Manager role. James played college lacrosse at the University of Hartford. When not locked into business, James enjoys spending as much time as he can with his family. "My wife Jaclyn and I have two amazing children, Dylan and Gabrielle who keep us busy every free minute we have.

 

Chad Nuzum joined HALL Family Wines in August 2012 as our Central Regional Sales Manager. Prior to joining the team, Chad worked for four years on the distributor side. During his time there he had experience selling Diageo, Constellation, LVMH, and Gallo to retail accounts.  Chad joined the fine wine division and became a key account representative handling high profile restaurant and retail accounts.  He moved to Dallas in 2012 and continued working within the fine wine division before joining HALL Family Wines. Chad received his bachelor’s degree in Business Management with an entrepreneur focus from Louisiana State University. His territory includes nine states within the central region.

 

Tony Gatti is a 12-year industry veteran with an eclectic background. He began his wine career managing an all-Italian wine importer on St. Croix in the U.S. Virgin Islands before moving to the Chicago area in 2013. Since arriving to the Midwest, he has managed regional business for Codorníu and Quintessential Wines, respectively; has become a certified sommelier by the Court of Master Sommeliers; and holds a Diploma (Level 4) from WSET. He also teaches both the French Wine Scholar and WSET curriculums for the American Wine School. He joined HALL Family Wines in April of 2019 and manages their business across the Midwest and Great Lakes regions. Prior to the wine industry, he spent over a decade in the adventure tourism industry living and traveling abroad for most of that time. He graduated w honors from the University of Arizona, served in the U.S. Army on the Arctic Circle, is a PADI - certified rescue diver; and once won a Scovie Award (think Academy Award for Hot Sauce). Tony resides in Cincinnati, Ohio with his children and his doggie.