Real Valley couple builds from first crush to marriage and family S E P T E M B E R / O C TO B E R 2 0 1 3 17 Article by Kari Ruel Photos by Art & Clarity T o the outside world, Lauren and Ron Nicholson’s life might look like a fairy tale. They adore each other, have two beautiful children, and share a love for their home: the Napa Valley. And this February, they will welcome their third child, Theodore. They also have careers they love: Ron is a winemaker and Lauren works in real estate. How the Nicholsons came together, however, shows that the universe sometimes provides support and love in unexpected and unpredictable ways. “We have both lived very unique and independent lives before meeting each other,” said Lauren. “Hard work and determination is how we found balance in our lives while focusing on our businesses. It was a miracle that we even met.” Lauren was born and raised in Napa. She was bred to be a real estate agent. Her mother, Lisa Marsey, owns Fieldstone Real Estate, and her father, John Marsey, is the co-owner of Marsey Brothers’ Construction. As a child, Lauren would play “real estate agent” at Lisa’s company. Then after school, she would play builder/designer on her dad’s job sites. All the while, her older sister, Sarah, would be making sure that no one got in her way. “My family is a huge part of our life,” says Lauren. “They provide a foundation of love, support and stability. I look up to both my parents for being such incredible parents and friends.” Ron was also fortunate; he was born and raised in Marin County. He is the eldest son of Susanna Kelham, an interior designer, and older brother to Hamilton. Before Ron’s freshman year of high school, his family moved to St. Helena to live with Ron’s step-father, Rawson (Rory) Kelham. “I had come to St. Helena every summer to visit my grandparents so I already had friends in town and I loved living there,” said Ron. Ron grew a strong bond with Rory, a farmer who taught Ron the importance of hard work. “He taught me everything I know about life and a hard work ethic,” Ron reflects. “He was my ‘dad’. In 1997 and in step with the family’s industrious work ethic, Susanna purchased Kelham Winery on Zinfandel Lane in St. Helena. Shortly after graduating college with a degree in economics, Lauren passed the California Real Estate Exam and began working for her mother. Meanwhile, Ron had graduated from the University of Colorado with a degree in architecture, and returned to Napa as co-owner of the family winery. “The boys had a vision of making top quality wine,” beamed Susanna. The brothers are like day and night in their personalities, but have almost identical palates, according to their mom. “Hamilton and I complement each other,” said Ron. “We both have our strengths and differences of opinions, but it helps us create a better product.” In 2010, Lauren was single and enjoying the thrill of the sale. With her dad’s design aesthetic and mom’s sales smarts, Lauren was excelling at her craft, but higher end home and winery sales were her dream. To achieve this goal, and knowing that winery experience would help, Lauren left real estate and accepted a sales position at Celani Winery. This is where Ron and Lauren’s lives came together. “After I had been with Celani one month, I hosted an open house for others in the industry to celebrate the holidays and get to know Celani Family Vineyards,” said Lauren. That night, it was work as usual until Ron walked into the party. “As soon as we shook hands, I instantly knew this was going to be someone special in my life.” Ron clearly felt the same way; he stayed late and helped her do the dishes. “I was struck by her conversation, values and sense of humor. I stayed just so I could talk to her more,” Ron remembers. “Ron and I shared so many things we considered interesting and were passionate about,” Lauren recalled, “It was effortless.” At the end of the night, they shook hands and went their separate ways, with hopes to connect in the near future. For two busy individuals, coming together was much easier said than done. “I was knee deep in harvest and headed to Arkansas to go on a brief hunting trip with my buddies,” said Ron. “It was Thanksgiving week and I was headed to Palm Desert to spend it with my family,” Lauren said, “but not before dropping off a nice thank you card and bottle of wine for Ron.” When Ron returned on the eve of Thanksgiving, he called Lauren. “I called her right after landing to see if she wanted to get dinner the day after Thanksgiving. Five hundred miles away and with no plans to return any time soon, Lauren decided to hop on a flight and take a chance. They had their first date at the bar at Don Giovanni’s. “We closed the bar down; it was so romantic; raining and cold,” says Lauren. “What we had is the definition of chemistry,” said Ron. For Lauren and Ron, their bond was instantaneous. To their families (of course), it seemed like no time passed between meeting and marriage. But to Lauren and Continued next page Clothes from Helen Lyall Clothes for Women and from Scott Lyall Clothes for Men
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