doug beckett

Proprietor and Founding Vintner

Douglas P. Beckett was born January 1, 1946 in Morgantown, West Virginia. Born into a Navy family, he traveled most of his early years.  He settled in San Diego where he met and married Nancy Thibodo in 1971.  In that same year Doug graduated from college with a Bachelors Degree in Business Administration. He earned his Masters degree in Psychology in 1975.

Between 1970 and 1979 Doug taught multi levels of school ranging from Kindergarten to the University level and ending his teaching career as a high school counselor.  Prior to leaving education, he became involved as a full partner in a small chain of convenience stores, which lasted until 1981 when he and his family, wife Nancy, and their two sons, Josh and Jake, moved to Paso Robles.

Doug’s first job in Paso Robles was as a carpenter, which he held for a number of years, working exclusively on barns.  At the same time he started making wine with friend, Pat Wheeler.  Over the course of 18 years he also developed land, sold real estate, taught school as a resource specialist and started his own import-export company specializing in art glass from Eastern Europe.

Nancy Beckett

Proprietor and Founding Vintner

Nancy was born and raised in Vista, Ca. Her grandfather and father were underground contractors. Her mother Margie was a professional dancer in Michigan and then toured with the USO during WWII. She seemed to follow in her footsteps, and studied dance at Stephens College under the direction of Harriet Gray for 2 years then finished her degree at USIU in San Diego where she met Doug.

They were married in 1971 and moved up to Paso Robles in 1982 with their sons Josh and Jake. Her first teaching position was through the Paso Robles Parks and Recreation in the old Veterans’ building. In 1991 she became part owner of Class Act Dance Studio and has since retired from running the business but is still teaching. Tap dancing has always been her passion and she plans to continue teaching for many more years.