Ghee Hagedorn: Founder

Alan Hagedorn: Founder

Nathan Vader:  Winemaker

Villa Vallecito Vineyards is fortunate to have one of the top winemakers in California.  Nathan grew up in a large ranching family in Colorado, and moved to Calaveras in his teens.  Starting out as a “Cellar Rat” at a local winery and working construction during the day, he soon discovered that he was a natural when it came to making wine. 

A passionate winemaker who follows the natural energy of the fruit itself, Nathan is able to craft some of the finest wines in the Sierra Foothills.  He now gets to spend his life doing what he loves: making excellent wine for his own personal label as well as several others, year after year.


Will Houle:  Assistant Winemaker

Born and raised in Calaveras County, Will appreciates that he lives and works in paradise.  Every day he learns more about the winemaking process and increases his knowledge.  Will never aspired to learn winemaking as a trade, yet he gets to live every young man’s dream, which is to love his job.


Nate Milnick:  Sommelier

A love of wine led Nate Milnick to become a Sommelier with an impeccable palate.  Intrigued by the wine making process, he interned with winemaker Nathan Vader in 2011 and custom crushed his own personal Barbera, currently still in the barrel.  When not sipping wine, Nate can be found at Columbia University, where he is a Philosophy Professor.