Originally from Riverside, California, Nathan has been in the hospitality industry for over 20 years. He began his management career with a small family owned restaurant in Carpinteria, California, which eventually became the Robert Krauss Group. Upon graduating from college, he accepted a position with the Waterview Restaurant Group as the Food and Beverage Manager. After developing their award winning concept and increasing the profitability of their beverage program, he accepted the Food and Beverage Outlets Manager position with The Monterey Plaza Hotel & Spa, the premier Forbes 4-star and AAA 4-diamond property in Monterey, California. Here, Nathan served as department head, overseeing all of the resort’s food and beverage concepts, including Schooner’s Coastal Kitchen, The Duck Club, and The Piano Bar. Ultimately, his passion for wine and desire to be closer to his family, brought him back to Southern California where he accepted the position of Beverage Manager for South Coast Winery Resort & Spa in Temecula.
After graduating from law school, Nathan accepted a position with the Legal and Compliance Department for Bridgepoint Education, a corporate entity that owns University systems throughout the country. While there, he represented the University’s interest against claims filed by the Department of Education, The Attorney General’s Office, The Department of Education’s Office of Civil Rights, and various other government entities. After a couple years of working in the compliance field, Nathan realized that his true strengths and passions lie in providing others with a genuine hospitality experience through legendary food and beverage. This realization ultimately led Nathan back to the hospitality industry and to his current position as Owner/Operator for Goat & Vine Hospitality.
Nathan cherishes the opportunity to head such a genuine concept and to work with the most amazing hospitality professionals in Temecula Valley. He is beyond excited to be a part of this community and to be a small part in pushing the culinary and hospitality envelope forward in Temecula. Nathan said, “There is no other place in Southern California that is more positioned for a true food and beverage Renaissance than Temecula. I’m just grateful to be here to bear witness.”
Nathan holds his Bachelor of Arts degree in Philosophy from the University of California, Santa Barbara and his Juris Doctor degree from California Western School of Law in San Diego. Nathan also holds awards from The Court of Master Sommeliers, The Cicerone Certification Program, The Wine & Spirit Education Trust, The Regulatory Council of Jerez, and The Sake Education Council.
When not working, Nathan loves to fly fish, read books about food and beverage, discover new restaurants, and spend time with his daughter and wife, who is an attorney in Temecula Valley.