Jan Carscallen ~ President

The wine and liquor business has been part of my life for over 40 years. Now I have the pleasure of watching my daughters Shannon and Lesle and her husband Matt, continue on with our family tradition. My father, John, originally started our family in the wine business.
I have been all over the world tasting wines from Italy, France, Ireland, California, Oregon, Washington State, just to name a few places. It gives me great pleasure to bring new wines to our customers. My goal is to have a place where my customers feel at ease, comfortable and confident. A place where they know they have the best and knowledgeable customer services to assist in any of their needs.

Lesle Heubach ~ Director of Operations/Sales Consultant

Since high school I have been working with my father, and thus gained over 25 years of experience. My passion for wine started over a bottle of Lodi Zin with some close friends. And has been growing ever since. Instead of returning to college, I chose to follow my passion for wine and follow in my family’s foot steps. The hands-on experience with my father than I could have gained from school. Now I am Director of Operations pertaining to ordering products, floor sales and bookkeeping.
In 2004 I went to Italy on a wine tour. Being there for 10 days allowed me to fall in love with their culture and their style of wine making. This was a wonderful experience in learning more about wines. I have to say that one of my specialties is Italian wines. Since Italy I have been to Napa Valley twice. Enjoying the culture so much, my husband and I chose to have our honeymoon in Napa Valley. I have participated in teaching a beginners wine class at Erie Community College (with Bridget) and also have done private home tastings.
I feel that there is a wine for everyone, even those who say “I don’t care for wine”. I tell them they have not had the right wine. You just have to have the right bottle and fall in love (Lodi Zin did it for me).
Some of my other specialties are French Champagne, Bourbons, after dinner liquors and California wines.

Matt Heubach ~ Manager/Sales

I have over 13 years of experience in the wine and liquor industry. I started working or Gates Circle at the age of 19 and shortly after that is when I fell in love with wine. Over the years I have found that I enjoy all types of wines reds, whites, domestic and imported but French still entices my pallet more than others. I also have a knack for pairing wine and food.
I have taken a large interest in Single Malts, especially, 12 year old and older whiskeys.
I have noticed that over the years more and more friends and family have been coming to me for advice on wines and spirits. I really enjoy this, knowing that I have learned quite a bit from working with Jan and the excellent staff at Gates Circle.
I am also very involved with the ever changing and growing wine selection at Gates Circle. PS I have become very knowledgeable on Gin’s and Irish Whiskey’s.

Rich Cole ~ Sales Consultant

I have 33 years experience in the wines & spirits industry.
I was the prior owner of Main Place Liquors, located in downtown Buffalo, for 25 years. I served on the Board of Directors for Main Place Mall. In addition, I served on the Board of Directors for the Retail Liquor Association for 20 years.

Bridget O’Malley ~ Manager/Sales Consultant

I’ve been in the retail liquor business for over 10 years. I started my career in a Wine Store in Brooklyn, New York. A few years ago I moved to Buffalo, shortly afterwards I started at Gates Circle Wine & Liquor. Recently, I have the added pleasure of educating our staff as well. I am also in charge of setting up all in-store classes. I have also started and side profession of private home tastings, which I do in my spare time from Gates. It gives me great joy to watch people learn to love wine. When I’m in front of the host/hostess and their friends thus are not just enjoying wine but actually learning about wine as well. Education stemming from entertainment. I have also taught a beginners wine class with Erie Community College with Lesle. I also have a penchant for food & wine pairings.
My specialties are French and Spanish wines. Although I am the “French Wine Geek” here at Gates.
Some of my absolute favorites are Sancerre, anything from the Rhone valley and Alsace. I look forward to a long and fruitful career at Gates Circle Wine & Liquor.
“Tell me what you’re eating and I’ll tell you what to drink with it.

Andrew Finn ~ Sales Consultant

I am a 22 year old Fredonia State graduate. During my 4 years of diligently studying History and Psychology, I was somehow able to find the time to taste many of the wines and liquors we have at Gates Circle. I am new to the store, (only on my second month, as of September 2009) but learn more every day. Stop in for a bottle, a tasting, any questions you have, or just to say “Hi”.

Cynthia Paulnits ~ Front-end Associate

I’ve been with Gates Circle since 2007. I love working in this family orientated business. I have met so many wonderful and exciting people. I hope I can continue to be a part of all their lives.

Josh Kaplan ~ Front-end Associate

I moved from Florida about 8 years ago. After being an auto mechanic for several years, I decided to go for a change. I called up my uncle and asked him if he had an opening at the liquor store. It was just my luck that he was looking for help. I decided to pack up my belongings and truck up to Buffalo. Over the years of being at Gates I have learned much about wines and spirits. I really enjoy the customers and my co-workers.

Taylor Ruckh ~ Front-end Associate

I have been a part-time employee at Gates Circle since the summer of 2007. During the school year I am off in New York City studying at FIT. When I’m on break I return to Gates Circle and make everything a little bit brighter.

Carl Matusak~ Sales Consultant

Hi, I'm Carl Matusak. I'm 26 years old, and love the way wine and spirits bring people together. Gates Circle always impressed me with their knowledge and enthusiasm of their products, and that's why I wanted to work here. Being a part of the Gates Circle family has been a great learning experience with some truly interesting individuals, and I keep learning more every day. So come on, let’s uncork some wine, or pour some cocktails and get to know each other.

Mike Magnafici ~ Sales Consultant

My name is Mike Magnafici. I have been working in the wine industry since February of 2009. Wine has always been a big interest of mine and I am fortunate to have learned a great deal in the past months. I am always excited to learn about new wines and especially trying them! I love discovering great new finds and sharing them with my family and friends.

Justin Bertrand ~ Front-end Associate

Originally from the distant land of Rochester, NY, I trek up to Buffalo every year to attend classes at UB, where I major in Spanish and Education.  For 2010, I decided to stay the summer; I’ve been working at Gates Circle since April.  I’m really interested in learning more about wine and spirits, and this is a great place for it.  I love trying new things and hearing other people’s thoughts on a particular wine or spirit, so feel free to tell me what you think!

Tony Eberle ~ Sales Consultant

As a recent college graduate a few of my passions include: environmental conservation, population genetics, adventure sports, traveling, and wine. I began in the wine and spirits industry back in 2005, and it was from there that I developed a taste for red wines. I have had the pleasure of studying biology in New South Whales, Australia and traveling throughout numerous Pacific archipelagoes. Living just hours away from the Hunter Valley in Australia only amplified my love for the BBQ wines. Traveling has allowed me to understand the diversity of various cultures and upon doing so I always attempt to immerse myself with other’s customs; which obviously includes the local cuisine and wines. The Elmwood Village has a unique culture of its own, so come stop by Gates Circle for some fine wines and spirits.

Shelly Hewitt ~ Front-end Associate/Sales Consultant

I started working here in February 2010 after being a long time customer. I spent the first 10 years of my career in the food and beverage industry.  The last 5 years were in fine dining atmospheres that provoked a desire for more knowledge on wines and their affiliation with food.
In my short time here I have been fortunate enough to try wines from all over the world as well as fine scotch’s, whiskeys, and champagnes. 
I truly enjoy working for a family owned business right in my own neighborhood, and community. The people that I have met here have made this an enjoyable career and life experience.  I look forward to tasting and learning much more as well as meeting more of our valuable customers.

Brandon Schlia ~ Sales Consultant

I am a graduate of SUNY Fredonia with a BA in English, a minor in Music Business, and am currently pursuing an MA in Psychology. My experience with wine and spirits, up to this point, has been purely recreational but I've always had an interest in learning more about the subtle differences responsible for such a diverse industry. The more I learn, the more I enjoy the opportunity to share that knowledge with our customers.