Our Team
Our Team
Behind Silver River Vineyards is a family of growers, educators, makers, and lifelong learners who believe meaningful work begins with care.
Our motto: Stay curious, keep an open mind, and carry a lifelong willingness to learn.
Led by Cal Poly faculty turned sustainable farmers and winemakers, we bring diverse expertise, a shared respect for the unpredictability of nature, and a deep willingness to learn from the soil, the vines, and the community around us.
Our work is rooted in stewardship, collaboration, and the belief that farming well means caring for the long term health of the land we are privileged to farm.
Together, we are building more than a winery. We are creating a place where thoughtful farming, honest wines, approachable education, art, science, craftsmanship, and fresh ideas grow side by side.
Meet Nicole:
Operations Manager and Next Generation of Female Winemakers
Nicole represents a new generation of Paso Robles wine professionals, bringing fresh energy, creativity, and a modern perspective to the evolving wine industry. As Operations Manager, she wears many hats and helps keep Silver River Vineyards running across the vineyard, wine making, hospitality, and daily operations.
A young female winemaker with roots in both science and hands on agriculture, Nicole reflects the experience driven, innovative wine culture that is resonating with younger consumers.
Nicole came to winemaking from the biotech industry, where she earned a master’s degree from Northwestern University and developed the precision and analytical skills she now applies to her true calling.
Currently completing her Winemaking Certificate Program through UC Davis, she brings scientific rigor together with several years of hands on expertise in farming, cellar work, and winery operations.
Combining her background in biotechnology with immersive work across the vineyard and cellar, Nicole approaches winemaking and operations with precision, authenticity, and care, embracing new ideas while remaining deeply connected to the craft, the people, and the community that make Paso Robles unique.
Combining her background in biotechnology with immersive work in the vineyard and cellar, Nicole approaches winemaking with both precision and authenticity, embracing new ideas while remaining deeply connected to the craft, the people, and the community that make Paso Robles unique.
Meet Charlie:
Assistant to the Winemaker
Every good winemaker needs a loyal sidekick—and at Silver River Vineyards, that role belongs to Charlie, our beloved vineyard dog. Equal parts guardian, greeter, and vineyard scout, Charlie is never far from Nicole’s side as she tends to vineyard rows, monitors fermentation, or hosts visitors in our vineyard and our gardens.
Charlie brings a calming presence and tireless energy to the daily rhythm of vineyard life. Whether chasing off curious critters, inspecting freshly picked clusters, or napping in the winery, he is a vital part of our winemaking team. He also takes his hospitality duties seriously—welcoming visitors with a wagging tail and often guiding them straight to their tasting spot.
More than just a companion, Charlie embodies the heart and soul of the vineyard: attentive, grounded, and always ready to lend a paw. In his own quiet way, he reminds us to enjoy the journey, one vintage (and vineyard stroll) at a time.
Meet Rudy:
Boots on the Ground, Problem Solving
From leading teams in multinational corporations and cutting edge aerospace companies to teaching students through Cal Poly’s Learn by Doing approach, Rudy Schalk brings both technical depth and practical problem solving to the vineyard.
He is also currently working on AI integration in agriculture, using Silver River Vineyards as a real world test bed for innovation.
From pruning and irrigation repairs to tractor work, harvest logistics, equipment maintenance, and the countless day to day challenges that come with farming, Rudy is the boots on the ground who keeps the vineyard moving forward. He combines technical knowledge with hands on experience, approaching each season with observation, patience, and a willingness to learn.
Whether improving vineyard infrastructure, solving problems, or lending a hand wherever needed, Rudy embodies the hard work and stewardship that define Silver River Vineyards. He combines technical knowledge with hands on experience, approaching each season with observation, patience, and a willingness to learn.
His philosophy is simple: no task is too small, and every detail matters when the goal is producing exceptional wines and leaving the vineyard stronger for the next generation.
Meet Vidya:
Sustainability, Wine and Vineyard Education
Dr. Vidya Schalk brings decades of experience in plant sciences, biochemistry, sustainability, and education to Silver River Vineyards. A faculty member at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, she has taught courses in materials science, chemistry, and energy systems, and served as the university's very first Sustainability Faculty Fellow. As a research scientist, educator, and Master Gardener, she combines rigorous scientific knowledge with hands on expertise in growing, observing, and adapting to the land.
At Silver River, Vidya is focused on making sustainability part of the DNA of vineyard operations, from soil health and water management to packaging, recycling, and exploring innovative practices that align with our values. She also brings her teaching background into the tasting experience, helping make wine education approachable, engaging, and grounded in curiosity rather than intimidation. For Vidya, wine is not just something to taste, but something to understand through farming, science, sensory experience, and the story behind each vintage.
For a decade, she also pursued her lifelong passion for history, archaeology, and art, bringing artifacts and artworks to life through research and teaching. Her philosophy is simple: you can learn anything if you bring enough passion and put in the time and effort. The world is full of possibilities, and she approaches the vineyard with that same curiosity, commitment, and belief that stewardship is an ever evolving practice.
