Tod Hickman enlisted in the Navy in 1987. Tod spent his first two years in the Navy in school and became a Graduate of the Navy Nuclear Power Program. Tod served as a Nuclear Power and Propulsion Plant Operator and also served as a Navy Diver. After being honorably discharged from the Navy, Tod attended Sonoma State University where Tod obtained his degree in Environmental Studies. While working and living in Sonoma County, Tod pursued his passion for wine-making; utilizing every opportunity to learn and intern in the wine-making business. In 2002 Tod purchased property in the Sierra Foothills and a few years later moved his family onto what has since become an estate winery with an on-site tasting room. Tod has mentored four interns; two of which have progressed into becoming current winery owners with operating tasting rooms; the other two interns being soon to follow. Tod has performed custom crush duties for numerous wineries and has even sold his own wine to wine negociants where his wine is then sold elsewhere in the country and world.

Meredith Coghlan began her military service by enlisting in the United States Air Force Reserves. In 1993 Meredith opened Coghlan & Associates, a Tax Preparation and Accounting Business. Meredith grew her business to several hundred clients. In 2007 Meredith went back to school to receive a formal education in Business with an emphasis on Finance and Business Management at California State University at Chico. In 2008 Meredith sold her Accounting practice and in 2010 Meredith met her business partner, Tod Hickman. Through their shared knowledge for business and enthusiasm for wine, they decided to pursue a partnership as winery owners. To gain first-hand experience in working in a winery tasting room and customer service industry, Meredith went to work at a family owned winery in Sonoma, CA. On occasion Meredith continues to consult in the Accounting Business and also helps out at events for the winery in Sonoma.