Andrew Dickson

Andrew (Drew) Dickson(opens in new window), who graduated with a BA in Economics in 1999, is owner of Andrew Lane Winery(opens in new window) in St. Helena, California.  Drew also owns and manages Petaluma Stand Up Paddle(opens in new window) in Petaluma, California, and Napa Valley Paddle(opens in new window) in Napa, California.  

After graduating from high school in 1993 Drew enrolled at the University of Montana(opens in new window) where he majored in Journalism(opens in new window).  In 1996 Drew transferred to Chico State and declared Economics his major.  While at Chico Drew found time for “a lot of fly fishing in the Ishi Wilderness and McCloud Preserve,” according to his LinkedIn(opens in new window) page.

Beginning in 2002 Drew and his brother, Lane, sons of a Napa Valley winemaker, produced a Napa Gamay Beaujolais that celebrates old school Napa Valley and was featured in the Wall Street Journal, Napa Valley Wine Library Association, Food & Wine, Culinary Trends and Gourmet Magazine,”  according to their webpage(opens in new window).

Drew found time in 2012 to start Napa Valley Paddle in order to offer Beaujolais & Oyster on the riverside for his wine club members.   The quarterly event quickly became a seasonal rental & tour business which expanded to Petaluma and the Northern Reach of San Pablo Bay at large.   

In 2013 Drew enrolled in the Graduate School of Management at the University of California, Davis(opens in new window) where he earned his Certification in their Wine Executive Program.

In the middle of 2016 Drew acquired Petaluma Stand Up Paddle in Petaluma, and he “installed technology that will transform the Petaluma River into an outdoor gymnasium by offering automated, rental technology for members giving them access to premium paddleboards from sunrise to sunset, 7 days a week,” according to his LinkedIn(opens in new window) page. 

“My economics degree from Chico state shaped the way I see the world and helped me find value in this largely undiscovered, outdoor playground just 45 minutes from San Francisco,” Drew stated in a recent email.  “The benefits of exercising in nature and the beauty of these water ways had not been tapped in 2012.  Our customers were the only ones on the water here until 2014.  The ability to ride the tide and wind from salt water wetlands to fresh water forest brings a visceral connection to the earth and memories that last with stories and experiences that can be shared with family and friends for many years.  The Petaluma River is alive and constantly changing and growing.”

“My Chico State education helped me realize the environmental benefits here and build a company that brings to bare free market principles.  By monetizing the paddling experience we are able to continually improve service and give back (full circle) by marketing this region properly - as a new recreational opportunity - one that did not exist a decade ago.  Chico State helped us create value out of thin air and let me tell you, the air here on the river is rich with oxygen!   (Wetlands create some 60% of the worlds oxygen.)  (Last Updated 2/22/19)