Gates Circle Liquor is a family owned business in the heart of Buffalo. We have been in business since prohibition and have been at our present location for 20 years. Our staff is very well trained and knowledgeable on varied Wines and Spirits.

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.

Jeremiah Smith ~ Manager/Sales Consultant

I never pictured myself working in the wine business, to be honest. I’ve been working here for about 1 year now and have found a new passion. Learning about wine and spirits is something I work hard at and love to talk about. While I’m new to the industry, I’ve learned fast and see myself working with wine in some manner for years to come.
My name is JD and I will ROCK YOUR WORLD

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.

Lisa Frandina ~ Front-end Associate

Hi I’m Lisa, the newest member to the Gates Circle family. A Buffalo native, I recently graduated from Canisius College and received a Bachelors of Science in Marketing. I am extremely interested in and look forward to learning more about the wine industry. I’m a great people person and can always promise you service with a smile! Hope to see you soon.