MEET OUR HALL FAMILY WINES
Jeff Zappelli
VP Sales & WALT GM
jzappelli@hallwines.com
Jeff Zappelli is a seasoned veteran in the wine industry. After dedicating eight+ years in restaurants, including Morton’s Steakhouse in San Francisco, Jeff made a career shift in 2006 and joined HALL Wines, based in Napa Valley, CA. There Jeff played a pivotal role in shaping one of Napa Valley’s most successful Direct-to-Consumer programs. In 2012 owners Craig & Kathryn Walt Hall introduced WALT, a new Pinot Noir and Chardonnay brand. This new wine brand broadened Jeff’s responsibilities to encompass a myriad of day-to-day efforts for both HALL and WALT Wines.
Fast forward to 2016, Jeff assumed the role of General Manager at WALT, with a goal to grow the brand with responsibilities involving winery development, sales planning, execution, distribution and vineyard acquisitions. In 2022 Jeff’s role expanded again, adding the title of Vice President of Sales to his resume. In this broad capacity, he leads a robust wholesale program and export sales for HALL, WALT and the company’s newest brand, BACA, continuing to serve as WALT General Manager.
Originally from Seattle, WA, Jeff pursued his education at the University of Santa Barbara, earning a Bachelors degree in Biopsychology. Jeff resides in Marin County, CA, with his wife and their three daughters.
Erin Hamada-Bigelow
Regional Sales Manager - West Region
ehamada@hallwines.com
Erin, a distinguished graduate with honors from the Elliott School of International Affairs at George Washington University, embarked on her journey in the world of luxury fine wines in 2006. Her initial foray was with Breakthru Beverage in Washington, D.C., where she represented HALL Family Wines and played a pivotal role in the launch of inaugural vintages of WALT Pinot Noir. Over the course of eight years, Erin effectively managed a territory encompassing the finest dining establishments in the nation’s capital, eventually earning a well-deserved promotion to the position of Fine Wine Division Manager. In 2014, she transitioned to Duckhorn Portfolio, assuming the role of Mid-Atlantic District Manager, and in 2016, she returned to her roots in San Diego to serve as Regional CA Sales Manager. In 2019, Erin’s professional journey came full circle as she connected with Vintner Kathryn Hall and her family’s esteemed wines as HALL Family Wines Regional Sales Manager – West. Her territory includes all of California and now the Southwestern United States. Erin is a seasoned professional and a recognized expert within the wine industry as well as vast distribution networks. She holds the prestigious title of Certified Specialist of Wine (CSW) from the Society of Wine Educators and has achieved Level III Certification from the Wine & Spirits Education Trust (WSET). Erin resides in San Diego with her husband and their three children.
James Anci
Regional Sales Manager - Atlantic Region
janci@hallwines.com
James joined HALL in 2017, bringing with him 14 years of invaluable experience acquired at Round Pond Estate, Constellation Brands, and Southern Wine & Spirits. His professional journey has encompassed both small, family-owned wineries as well as large corporate brands, shaping his career trajectory significantly.
With a profound connection to wines that tell a story and evoke a sense of place, James helps to foster and environment where retailers and consumers feel part of an extended family. His wealth of experience, knowledge and established relationships now contribute significantly to the Atlantic Region. A graduate of University of Hartford with a double major in Communications and Marketing, James was also a member of the Men’s Lacrosse Team during his time at Hartford. James resides in New York with his wife and two children.
Chad Nuzum
Regional Sales Manager - South Region
cnuzum@hallwines.com
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
Regional Sales Manager - Midwest Region
tgatti@hallwines.com
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 with 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.
Patrick Madden
Regional Sales Manager - South Region
pmadden@hallwines.com
Patrick is an industry veteran with over 25 years of experience of wine sales with a focus on the luxury wine segment. His interest in wine began in the hospitality industry at The Ritz-Carlton Naples, but his career started in earnest with the West Indies Corporation in St. Thomas, USVI. Having held various positions within Wine and Spirits distributors in Florida and South Carolina, he was drawn back to Southwest Florida.
Prior to joining Hall, Patrick gained valuable supplier experience with Duckhorn, Gallo’s LuxWines, and Sinegal. He is a graduate of the University of Florida in Finance and holds certificates of CSW and WSET Level II. He now lives in St. Petersburg with his wife and two children.
Melissa Sotak
Regional Sales Manager - West Region
msotak@hallwines.com
Melissa brings two decades of wine industry experience to her role at HALL, with a career spanning both the distributor and supplier sides of the business, specifically in luxury portfolio development. Based in the North Bay Area, Melissa represents HALL across Northern California and Northern Nevada, combining deep industry expertise with a heart-centered approach, relationship-driven sales, and strategic brand growth. She believes wine is more than a beverage, it’s a vessel for story, connection, and joy.
Known for her intuitive style and thoughtful communication, Melissa is passionate about building lasting, meaningful partnerships. Outside finds grounding in nature and time with loved ones. She treasures life with her husband, two children, and their beloved dogs, Cooper and Boots. Whether hiking among the redwoods or raising a glass in good company, Melissa brings warmth, presence, and purpose to all she does.
Dan Sullivan
Regional Sales Manager - Atlantic Region
dsullivan@hallwines.com
Dan has been in the wine and spirits industry for nearly 25 years. With two decades owning and managing retail businesses ranging from local boutique shops to large regional and national chains. More recently, he has spent the last several years on the wholesale side of the business and has worked as a trade speaker, judge, and educator along the way as well.
Dan holds the Diploma in Wine & Spirits from the London based Wine and Spirits Education Trust as well as the Certified Specialist of Wine from the Society of Wine Educators.
Keogh Hepp
Regional Sales Manager - midwest Region
khepp@hallwines.com
Keogh Hepp is a seasoned wine industry professional whose passion for wine and hospitality began early in her career. As a teenager working in a renowned French restaurant in the Chicagoland area, she was introduced to the business side of wine through opportunities to work with distributors and sales representatives—an experience that helped shape her future in the industry.
In 2009, Hepp graduated from Ohio University with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Management and Communications before continuing her culinary education at Kendall College, where she earned an Associate degree in Culinary Arts.
Building on her culinary and business foundation, Hepp has held hospitality leadership roles in restaurants and private clubs across the country. Her experience includes serving as the wine buyer for Tomasso on Kiawah Island, where she curated and managed an extensive Italian wine program. She later returned to Chicago and spent 12 years with Heritage Wine Cellars / Republic National Distributing Company as a Sales Consultant, further establishing herself as a trusted expert in wine sales and client relationships.
Outside of her professional life, Hepp enjoys cooking, exploring food and wine pairings, and spending time at home with her fiancé, Sean, and their two cats, Mahi and Tuna.