Nilima & Vivek Ragavan

Nilima and Vivek Ragavan, the founders and owners of Valencia Wineries, the producers of the Ragavino Cabernet Sauvignon wine collection, established the vineyard in 2001. For several years, the Ragavans have shared the unique Ragavino wine with friends and family but soon were inundated with requests by these very same friends to purchase additional bottles and sometimes whole crates of wine. Neither Nilima nor Vivek who are medical and tech professionals respectively, had envisioned entering the wine business but due to the continuing plentiful harvests and prolific production of the delicious Ragavino wine through the years, decided to get the necessary permits and enter this business. Thus was born Valencia Wineries, named after the Portola Valley Street in which the vineyard is located. Nilima and Vivek now enjoy the vineyard and its garden, with its changing colors and its maturing grapes under the canopy of California blue oaks and the shadow of the surrounding hills. They continue to cater to and nurture their vineyard in partnership with the able professionals of Coastal Range Vineyards, ensuring that it is provided the necessary resources to produce the quality grapes that now seem to emerge from its inevitable charms.

Nick Painter

After graduating from Cal Poly with a degree in Wine and Viticulture in 2012, Nick started working for Joseph Phelps Winery. Nick worked through harvest and then hit the road for a few years working and perfecting his craft at different vineyards throughout Australia, France, Chile, Oregon and New Zealand. Upon returning to California, Nick settled in as a viticulturist at Halter Ranch on the western side of Paso Robles and eventually made it up north to Thomas Fogarty. Nick joined the Coastal Range Vineyards team as the Director of Vineyard Operations in the fall of 2022. His extensive experience in vineyards throughout California and the globe make him an ideal fit for Coastal Range and plethora small block vineyards that we care for. When Nick is not in the vineyards, we can find him in the cellar chasing his passion for wines or out on the slopes or in the surf. He loves to stay active and outdoors!

Peter Kirchner

Peter has a degree in biology and a love of the outdoors. He began his winemaking and grape-growing career working in vineyards in the Santa Cruz mountains and Santa Clara Valley. As his passion for wine grew, he completed the winemaking certificate program at UC Davis. He has been making wine and managing vineyards since 2006, and is constantly trying to improve his craft, looking for ways to produce the best wine possible.
Peter strongly believes that the most important component of a great wine is the fruit that goes into it. In addition to his wine-making, he spends a good deal of his time working with the viticulture crews from Coastal Range Vineyards on the property to ensure the grapes are reaching their optimal flavors. By implementing both meticulous and gentle winemaking techniques, he lets the fruit speak for itself and showcase the micro-climate and terroir of the vineyard.