Growing up in the Santa Ynez Valley, winemaker Tara Gomez has always enjoyed science and nature. Raised in wine country and by wine-enthusiast parents, Tara fondly remembers her feelings of excitement as a child strolling through wineries and seeing the science of winemaking in action.

A member of the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians, Tara received a scholarship to help her attend California State University Fresno where she studied Enology, graduating as one of two women with a BS in Enology in 1998.

The Chumash Tribe founded Kita Wines in 2010 where Tara serves as winemaker. “Kitá” means “Our Valley Oak” in their native language of Samala.

Tara, as one of the only Native American winemakers in the country, produces Kita Wines sustainably and to highlight the gifts from Mother Earth that embody the spirit of the Santa Ynez Valley.

From California to Spain and Back Again

Tara graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Enology from Cal State University of Fresno. After working for a few wineries in the area including establishing her own label, Tara then expanded her global perspective working two harvests starting in 2006 in the Spanish Pyrenees. While in Spain, Tara met winemaker Mireia Taribó.