Winemaker
When I recall my earliest memories, I’m transported to my childhood on my family’s farm in Central California—where my great-grandfather had settled in the 1800s after arriving from the Azores Islands. With dust in my hair and mud on my shoes, I’d stand with my hands on my hips in a “farmer stance” while gazing out admiringly at the land around me.
Even as I embraced the rhythms of nature and seasons, I yearned to experience life beyond the farm, believing that a big city would offer more excitement and opportunities. That longing led me to UC Berkeley on an athletic scholarship, with dreams of becoming a professional athlete and a woman in sports business. While there, however, I felt a growing disconnect from myself and the world around me—like something essential was missing. Soon, following an athletic injury, I transferred to Cal Poly in search of a path that felt more true to who I was. While accepted into the College of Business, I sought guidance from an agricultural advisor to figure out how to align my passion for the land with a business focus. I’m forever grateful to the late Professor Phil Dobb, whose suggestion to take a Wine and Viticulture course became a turning point in my life, setting me on a path I hadn’t known I was searching for.
At 20, my newfound passion for all things wine—growing, making, and sharing in the glory of the surrounding land—was sparked. Over the past two decades, wine has been the common thread weaving through my life, leading me to work alongside remarkable people in some of the most beautiful places in the world, including Santa Barbara—the place I intentionally chose to build my life, family, and career.
As an aspiring winemaker in Santa Barbara County, I found opportunities here unparalleled to other wine regions, particularly for women. Well over a decade after my first lead winemaking job here, Santa Barbara County continues to boast the largest percentage of female winemakers of any wine region. I’m honored to be among these talented creators—many of whom, like me, are now balancing the dynamics of raising families and crafting wine in a place we’re proud to call home.
After years of honing my craft and deepening my conviction, Pars Fortuna was born as the purest expression of my journey. Nearly 15 years in the making, it’s more than just a label—it’s a reflection of my passion for wine, a tribute to my roots, and a reminder to always hold on to that childlike belief that anything is possible.
For me, winemaking is both art and expression—a career and a lifestyle in one. Ultimately, it’s how I show my daughters what it means to dream big, work diligently, and co-create your own magic with the world around you. It’s more than what I do—it’s where I belong.
