FOPPIANO HISTORY
The story of Foppiano Vineyards is a family epic full of tradition, perseverance and contributions to the history of Sonoma County and the wine country. Founded in 1896 by Giovanni Foppiano, Foppiano Vineyards is one of Sonoma County’s oldest continually-operated, family-owned wineries. Our family has supplied Northern California with wine for over a century, surviving Prohibition in the 1920s by selling home winemaking kits. We believe that through the strength of the family and a commitment to quality, our traditions can be maintained and thrive. We’re proud to be one of the founding members of the Russian River Valley AVA, and continue to enjoy the fruits of our hardworking Italian heritage. To stay on the cutting edge of quality winemaking, we’ve made important investments in infrastructure and winery equipment throughout the years. The vision of the fifth generation of Foppianos, together with Giovanni’s foresight to purchase land in the Russian River Valley, guides our family into the future while creating a world class wine program representative of our history.
NOVA PERRIL WINEMAKER
NOVA PERRILL | WINEMAKER
Our winemaker, Nova Perrill, joined Foppiano Vineyards in the beginning of 2015 and embodies the essence of what Foppiano represents: a commitment to quality in the cellar and vineyard. He brings with him not only the knowledge and experience gained from over 10 years of winemaking in Sonoma County, but also a strong desire to continue to enrich and expand the legacy of Foppiano Vineyards. Often times likening wine to art, he recognizes the subjectivity of wine and strives to create a masterpiece that many, from those just starting to explore wine to the ultimate wine enthusiast, can enjoy. After having already earned his Bachelor of Science from California State University San Luis Obispo, Nova had decided to go back for his Master’s degree in Crop Science when he found himself drawn to winemaking. At first attracted by the farming aspect, he quickly found himself intrigued by how, like art, this hands on process could create such an enjoyable end result. This winning combination of education, inquisitiveness, and respect landed him in the role of assistant winemaker and viticulturist at Mount Eden Vineyards where he worked with small batches of award winning Pinot Noir and Chardonnay for four years. Nova soon recognized that to become a well-rounded winemaker he needed to learn more about what winemaking and production involved beyond the realm of boutique winemaking. So in 2008 he moved on to become the Assistant Winemaker at Dry Creek Vineyards where he mastered making quality wine that was more widely available. Within his 7 years there he not only expanded his repertoire but also learned to quickly and accurately recognize which technique could make a wine truly shine. Nova brings to Foppiano Vineyards a very simple philosophy: to maintain the quality of the wine from grape to glass by letting the fruit guide the way. He does this by making sure he “stays in touch with the cellar” and employs the hands on technique that attracted him to this industry in the first place. It enables him to really get a feel for what is happening to the wine throughout every step of the winemaking process. When speaking of the future of the Foppiano line-up of wines, Nova cites not only the quality of the fruit that comes from the vineyards, but also the successful legacy of the winery and family. “Not only does Foppiano have quality vineyards and good wines but it also has a rich history, and you can’t buy history”.
ROB MCNEILL GENERAL MANAGER
ROB MCNEILL | GENERAL MANAGER
Joining the management team in 2017, Rob brings a wealth of winemaking and management knowledge to the Foppiano Family. Serving as General Manager of Foppiano Vineyard, Rob oversees all the departments of the winery helping the business succeed and prepare for continued Foppiano ownership for many generations to come.
Before joining Foppiano Vineyards, McNeill oversaw the winemaking team at Don Sebastiani & Sons. Rob has an accomplished sparkling wine background gained by many years of experience in the North bay counties of Napa, Mendocino, and Sonoma. He served as V.P. of Winemaking and Operations at Mumm Napa, where he worked for 15 years. Prior to Mumm Napa, he worked for Remi Martin serving two roles: Director of Winemaking for Piper Sonoma, and Production Manager at their alambic, RMS distillery in Napa. His first winemaking position was at Scharffenberger Vineyards in the Anderson Valley. His passion for sparkling wine was kindled by Mumm’s previous winemaker, Greg Fowler, over thirty years ago when, after graduation from the University of California at Davis School of Enology and Viticulture, Rob became Fowler’s assistant winemaker at Schramsberg Vineyards.
McNeill’s wide range of winemaking expertise in addition to sparkling wine includes the production of still wines, particularly Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, making a perfect fit for Foppiano’s Russian River location. When asked to select a favorite grape variety, he is quick to name Pinot Noir, citing its versatility in table wines and brandies, and as an integral component in the blending of quality sparkling wines.
McNeill earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Fermentation Science from University of California at Davis. He has served as a member of a number of different organizations including the American Society of Enology and Viticulture, Napa Valley Vintners, Atlas Peak Appellation Association and Mendocino Grape Growers Associations. In his free time, he enjoys the outdoors, particularly mountain sports. He lives in Healdsburg, California with his wife Linda, and an assortment of animals. He and Linda have two children, their son Robert and daughter Adrienne.
PAUL FOPPIANO VINEYARD MANAGER
PAUL FOPPIANO | VINEYARD MANAGER
In 1999, Paul rejoined the Foppiano vineyard operations. In addition to what he had learned at Sausal, his craft had also been refined through Santa Rosa Junior College’s well-respected viticulture program. Paul’s return to Foppiano Vineyards prompted a Renaissance, with a new chapter beginning as the fifth generation of Foppiano became present in the vineyards.
In bringing the knowledge that he had gained elsewhere, Paul’s been able to take
the vineyards to new heights, and is well respected within his viticulture peer group. Today, Paul manages all aspects of vineyard operations and viticultural practices. The passion he shows spans to each vine, intimately knowing every single vine’s history, growth patterns, and needs. Paul is also keenly looking toward the future, knowing where Foppiano needs to head, and which vine needs to go where on the property, in order to meet the winery’s plans for future growth.
“With about 140 acres under vine, it is our goal to farm grape varietals in a sustainable manner to fit the terroir of our estate property.” – Paul Foppiano
HEIDI NUMAINVILLE
DIRECTOR FINANCE
Heidi Numainville | Director of Finance
Heidi joined the management team at Foppiano Vineyards in 2013 with 20 years of finance and operations experience. She oversees finance, accounting, inventory, human resources and compliance.
Heidi grew up in Western New York, where her first job as a teenager was tying grapes. Although those grapes went on to make grape juice (not wine), it was her unofficial start in the business. Onto California where she obtained her degree in Finance from Chico State University. From there, she moved to Sonoma County, where she has lived and worked in the wine industry for the past 30 years. Her start was with Allied Domecq Wines as a Financial Analyst. While her passion of wine blossomed, she gained a wide range of knowledge in finance, accounting, costing, and learning the process from grape to bottle. After Allied Domecq was sold, she worked for Ascentia Wine Estates and Accolade Wines as their Finance Manager, where she honed her skills in supply chain management. Her broad range of experience, leadership, and wine passion made her a perfect fit for Foppiano. “Foppiano is such a special place. We have world class wines, great people, a rich history, and one of the most beautiful places on earth.”
Heidi lives in Healdsburg with her husband Mike and their 2 English Cream Retrievers, who can be seen greeting customers at the winery. They have 3 children, Emma, Jacob and Max.
DAMY TAMBURRINO
DIRECTOR DTC/HOSPILITY
Damy Tamburrino | Director - Direct to Consumer and Hospitality
Rounding out the Management team at Foppiano Vineyards, Damy brought his multi-faceted talents to the winery in 2021. As Director of DTC and Hospitality, he is responsible for the Tasting Room sales and marketing, private/public programming and experiences, Wine Club, shipping and any direct-to-consumer wine sales. Damy brings over 40 years of leadership and a lifetime of wine and food knowledge to the winery.
As an active youngster, he held many handy jobs learning machinery, carpentry and more. As most people his age, he offered neighbors his services at yardwork, painting, babysitting and a paper route with the Oakland Tribune. Once he was 16, he and some friends went to work at a wine shop in Berkeley. Under the trusting guidance of the Navone’s, Damy quickly learned about high-end California and Imported wines, spirits and beer. He also gained a strong appreciation for fine foods, cheeses and explored all the International local cuisine available in the happening Berkeley food scene.
Deregulation of the wine and spirits industry in California paved the way for large discount specialty stores. Damy soon found himself working as a Head-Clerk in one of these Bay Area stores while earning a BS in Finance at a local University. With a passion for wine and a degree, doors began to open at higher end wine and food establishments.
For the next few years, Damy spent time in Management developing his retail expertise at several well-established wine and food institutions. Among these was the first Cost Plus Wine Shop in San Francisco, the Oakville Grocery Company in Oakville, and one of the first employees at Bevmo! During this period, he also was able to enter into the judging circuit with local experts at the Press Democrat, Sonoma County Harvest Fair and other periodicals.
Then one day while working at Bevmo, Damy received a call from a famous Napa Valley Vintner Dario Sattui of the famed V. Sattui Winery. Dario offered Damy his first job at a winery as the Director of Wine Sales running the busiest Tasting Room in California. After 5 years, he was approached by Constellation Brands to manage Hospitality and Direct to Consumer at the historic SIMI winery in Healdsburg. Working for one of the largest wine companies in the world, Damy honed his skills at Simi while taking on additional responsibilities including: DTC management of Hogue Cellars, Ravenswood in Sonoma, and interim DTC management of Clos du Bois and Franciscan Vineyards.
The historic, family run winery, Foppiano Vineyards opportunity, brings all of Damy’s past experiences to life. Equipped with great Estate wines, an intimate setting, and a knowledgeable staff, Damy enables fulfilling wine experiences to every customer fortunate to cross the wineries path.
