Ron, they knew it was meant to be. And on September 24, 2011, Lauren and Ron were married at the winery. Their son, Jack, watched on with the entire family as they were serenaded by an Elton John impersonator – who arrived via helicopter. Unfortunately, Ron’s dad passed away shortly after the wedding. It was a tragic event in the couple’s life, but they vowed to make Rory proud. Two years before the wedding, Ron and Rory bought an 1891 Queen Anne-style Victorian in Downtown Napa. “When we signed the closing papers, I never imagined that this would be the home I would bring my wife and kids to,” Ron said. Prior to moving in, Ron and his Father-in-law, John, went to work on the house. “John and I both have architectural degrees and had an instant friendship. It was inevitable that we would join our experiences and appreciation to restore this home.” Lauren and Ron, along with their family, found that perfect harmony 18 www. n A PAVA L L E Y L I F Emagaz ine .com does not come from a good night’s sleep. Their second child, Georgette, will be followed by Teddy. “We are so in love with our children and the family we have created, it’s more than we could have imagined it would be,” Lauren shares. “We find a sense of harmony among the chaos; we are silly people and can put our stresses at rest when we are together,” Ron adds. In 2013, Lauren began working for Pacific Union, where she combines her mother’s real estate lessons, and her own winery experience, to achieve her goals. At press time, she has sold over $15,000,000 in real estate this year, and is close to achieving one of her goals: being named one of the Thirty Under 30. Meanwhile, Ron continues working day and night producing excellent wines that represent his family’s tastes. Today, Lauren and Ron are enjoying their relationship, being parents, and bringing their families together. Ron misses his pops, but finds solace in talking with John about racecars and their shared appreciation for design. Ron also finds joy in debating wine and horticulture points with his brother. Lauren and Susanna love to talk about interior design. And Lauren is very excited that her sister is moving back to Napa next month from Alaska. Lisa and her partner, Michael Weis, eagerly await a sixth grandbaby. Lauren and Ron agree, “We are a family just like any other. We have our ups and downs, but through it all we have mutual love and respect, while recognizing that at the end of the day, family is what is most important.” The Nicholsons are part of a growing number of next generation Napans who understand that strong work ethic and commitment to community will continue to sustain the Napa Valley throughout time. Since 2009, Ron and Lauren have been working with ALDEA, a Napa Valley based mental health and child welfare non-profit. They started a program through the Adapt School called Future Winemakers of the World, where they spend a semester mentoring, teaching and giving the students valuable experience. “We felt that the students of the Adapt program would benefit from valuable experience in the wine industry. It is such a great resource for them to have, and it’s our small contribution to creating a better future for our community,” Ron says. “We were both introduced to our careers in such unique ways and with such interesting experiences, this is our way of giving others in the community a future with opportunities, just as we received,” adds Lauren. The couple’s advice for the upcoming year: “Recognize that passion keeps us positive and moving forward. Follow whatever it is you’re passionate about, regardless of other’s opinions. Embrace challenges and stepping stones and accept that they will lead you to something greater. Be a positive advocate for your neighbors and your community, and always welcome opportunities in life.” Continued from previous page
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