Agajanian Leadership Team
Gary Agajanian
Gary Agajanian, Founder & CEO of Agajanian Inc., graduated in the school of Agricultural Business at California State University, Fresno. Gary grew up on the family vineyard in Madera, California. Gary has had his own production agricultural operation since 1976 and began marketing fresh perishable agricultural crops since 1986. In the early 1990’s, his marketing and sales business began to focus on winegrapes and began making wine in 1998.
Keith La Honta
Keith LaHonta, General Manager graduated from the school of Business at California State University, Fresno. Keith has over thirty years of corporate and small business management experience, notably with the Xerox Corporation and Digital Generations Systems as an Executive Manager from start-up in 1989 through a successful IPO in 1993. Keith has been a resident in the Walnut Creek for twenty-five years and varies his time weekly at our offices in the North Coast, Central Valley and Central Coast.
Rick Aldine
Rick, North Coast Winegrapes Supply Manager, was raised on his family’s vineyard in Mendocino County, Northern California and graduated from UC Davis in 1982 with a degree in Plant Science, Viticulture & Pomology. He has over forty years of experience with A&P Ag Structures, Stags Leap Wine Cellars, Ch. Ste. Michelle and LVMH/Chandon & Newton Vineyard. Rick resides in Napa since 1987 and owns 60 acres in Aetna Springs/Pope Valley that he is developing into vineyard. Rick manages the grape supply and Grower Relations for the 5 North Coast Counties for Agajanian Vineyards & Wine Company.
Jake Aukes
Jake was raised in Woodland, CA where he grew up in an agricultural based real estate family. His roots go back to 1877 when his forefathers moved to the western Sacramento Valley to farm. Jake graduated from Fresno State in 2016 with his degree in Viticulture. During his time in college, he acquired a vast amount of experience by interning at E&J Gallo Winery and working as a Viticulture Research Assistant. Jake began his career in the wine industry in 2017 joining Agajanian doing Grower Relations along the North Coast. Over the years, Jake has worked assiduously to refine his proficiency throughout the wine business, ultimately ascending to the position of Bulk Wine Manager at Agajanian.
Harry Parducci
Harry Parducci, Jr. as the Director of Winemaking, oversees all custom winemaking production, and custom private label bottling for Agajanian Vineyards and Wine Co. A wine industry veteran, his winemaking and viticulture experience spans over 40 years at prominent Sonoma wineries, including Valley of the Moon, Kenwood, Adler Fels and Sonoma Estate Vintners. Harry is a third generation member of one of Sonoma Valley’s pioneering winemaking families, his grandfather and father established Valley of the Moon winery in 1939. After attending Santa Rosa Junior College for Viticulture and University of California Davis winemaking extension courses, Harry’s first harvest as head winemaker was in 1981 and most of Harry’s early experience winemaking came while working alongside his father and Ernie Lane, enologist for Valley of the Moon Winery. Harry currently lives in Sonoma Valley with his wife Margaret, they have one son Kalani living in Portland.
Dan Garcia
Daniel Garcia, Northern Interior Sales Manager, was raised in agricultural crop production business and operated a successful grape logistics business for almost four decades. Now he is growing winegrapes in Clarksburg (within 15 miles of Sacramento), and managing grapes supplies and winery relations for AV in the Northern Interior region.
Sarkis Torosian
Sarkis Torosian is a third generation California farmer out of Dinuba, California where they grow stone fruit, table grapes and citrus. Sarkis attended Fresno State University double majoring in Viticulture and Enology before starting with Agajanian Vineyards in 2017. Before that he briefly interned at The Grapery in Shafter, CA as an assistant vineyard manager. He is currently working for Agajanian Vineyards and Wine Company as the Central and Southern Interior Grower Relations and bulk wine representative at our Madera office. Sarkis works with our growers to help manage and produce the best quality grapes harvested at the perfect time for our winery clients. When he is not assisting our growers and winery clients with their grape and wine needs, his passions include offshore sport fishing, exploring California’s Sierra Nevada Mountains, and continuing his love of farming with his family.
David Salazar
Introducing David Salazar, our esteemed Bulk Wine Sales Associate for the North and Central Coast regions. Raised amidst the sprawling vines of a 3000-acre vineyard in South Monterey County, David brings a wealth of experience to our team. Having completed vintages in diverse locations such as New Zealand and throughout California, he has cultivated a deep understanding of viticulture. Salazar is a proud alumnus of California State University, Fresno, holding a bachelor's degree in viticulture and enology. His insights extend beyond the vineyards, encompassing roles in winemaking and production management. We are delighted to have David on board, contributing his passion and knowledge to our collective success.
