honoring the past, building for the future

THE PEOPLE BEHIND THE PLACE

Great wine is not made by machines. It’s made by people — by hands in the soil, minds in the cellar, and hearts committed to the stewardship. At The Vineyard House, each member of our team plays a role in the process. From our vineyard workers to our winemaker to our family leadership, we share a common belief: that attention to detail is a form of respect, and that what we build today will speak for us tomorrow.

Group of five people standing outdoors in a vineyard, smiling and posing for the photo.
Collection of vintage family photographs with people of various ages enjoying time together.

a multi-generational commitment to agriculture

GIL & JEREMY

Our proprietor, Jeremy Nickel, leads with boundless energy and generosity of heart, ferociously focused on creating exceptional wines. Over the past decades, Jeremy’s been laser focused on restoring The Vineyard House to its deserving glory, honoring the legacy of his father, and preserving and sharing the gifts of this special place.

The Vineyard House is a loving tribute to Jeremy’s late father, Gil Nickel, creator of three of Napa’s most iconic wineries. Gil was the second generation to run the family’s Greenleaf Nursery Company, which grew from a small Oklahoma nursery to the second largest, family-owned wholesale nursery in the United States over his tenure.

“Here’s to honoring our parents, and to making them proud. Cheers!”

— Jeremy Nickel

Our talent

  • A man with a glass of red wine standing in a doorway, smiling, wearing a dark jacket over a white shirt, in a room with wooden walls and concrete flooring.

    Philippe Melka

    WINEMAKER

    Philippe Melka brings over 30 years of winemaking experience from renowned Chateaux and Wineries mostly located in Bordeaux, France and Napa Valley, United States.

    As the founder of Atelier Melka, Philippe oversees every critical decision in the winemaking process, including picking decisions, vinification, and élevage, and the most critical practice: blending.

  • A man holding a glass of red wine, smiling and standing indoors.

    MAAYAN KOSCHITZKY

    WINEMAKER

    Maayan Koschitzky was born and raised in Israel and moved to Napa in 2011. He was named one of the “40 under 40” by Wine Enthusiast in 2019. In addition to making wine for some of the finest wineries in Israel, Maayan has an impressive list in Napa Valley, including Screaming Eagle and Dalla Valle.

    Maayan’s mastery is in “micro-fermentation.” Individual parcels—often mere rows—are picked at optimum ripeness, then vinified separately in three to five-ton lots. After following the wines’ development for a year, the team determines the optimal blend for each bottling. Vinifying small lots means the potential of each row, then each barrel, is maximized in the final blends.

  • An elderly man with white hair, glasses, and a camouflage cap smiling and reaching out among green grapevine leaves outside.

    JIM BARBOUR

    VINEYARD MANAGER

    For decades, Jim Barbour has been one of Napa Valley’s most sought-after vineyard managers. He works hand-in-hand with our winemakers and meticulously cares for our vines.

    Known for his skill in developing hillside parcels, Jim Barbour oversaw the planting of selected blocks at The Vineyard House. He believes that once a vineyard is planted properly—with correct rootstocks and clones for the site—the rest is consistency, with the same team practicing “clean” viticulture every year. Rigorous crop thinning and canopy management are keys to harvesting perfect fruit.


  • A smiling man in a dark gray shirt holding a glass of red wine, standing against a wooden wall with windows.

    JASON STUMPF

    DIRECTOR OF DTC & HOSPITALITY

    Jason Stumpf, a native of Fargo, North Dakota, has a wide breadth of knowledge working at luxury restaurants, bars, hotels, a private golf club and Davis Estates in Calistoga.

    A Certified Sommelier, Jason is excited to be a part of The Vineyard House team, fostering a culture of exceptional hospitality through innovation, passion and building relationships with people through sharing stories.

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  • Man in a blue blazer and white shirt opening a bottle of wine at a social event.

    Charlie Plummer

    GLOBAL DIRECTOR OF SALES

    Charlie Plummer is an enthusiastic advocate for knowledge, sustainability, and mentorship. His career path has brought him to esteemed family-owned wineries such as Hess Collection, Sebastiani, Merryvale, Paul Hobbs, Chateau Montelena and DANA Estates, where he contributed significantly to their growth and successes.

    Beyond his professional life, Charlie holds many advisory roles in the industry and greater community, and remains dedicated to fostering excellence while advocating for sustainable practices in the heart of wine country. 

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  • A woman smiling and holding a glass of red wine, sitting in front of a wooden background.

    Lacey Lucia

    MEMBER RELATIONS & EVENT MANAGER

    Lacey Lucia brings a deep-rooted passion for wine and hospitality to her role as Member Relations and Events. With a family legacy spanning generations — from her great-grandfather's winemaking in San Francisco to her parents' wine bar — her connection to the industry is both personal and profound.

    Her career has taken her through various wineries such as Repris Wines and Pangloss Cellars, where she has planned and executed a wide range of events, all while building strong, lasting relationships with members. At The Vineyard House, she is dedicated to creating memorable experiences and fostering a true sense of community with every gathering.

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