Ike Zekaria
Co-owner
Ike is the youngest of five children, born in Los Angeles, California to immigrants Maurice and Alice Zekaria. Ike was raised not only by his parents, who were very hands-on, but by his much older siblings. Ike’s childhood home was lively, full of love, and always smelled of home cooking. Ike witnessed a true partnership in his parents, who worked hard to raise a tight-knit family while at the same time launching and growing a successful family business called Windsor Fashions.
After high school, Ike attended Northeastern University in Boston but ultimately earned a Bachelor of Arts from the University of San Francisco. He went on to attain a law degree from The Benjamin Cardozo School of Law at Yeshiva University in New York City.
After law school, Ike joined the family business, and together with his brother Leon, pledged to grow it to its full potential. Their efforts were at times incredibly stressful but thankfully successful. Ike and Leon expanded Windsor Fashions from 20 retail stores to more than 300 stores across the US.
As a student, Ike lived in Boston, San Francisco, New York and Los Angeles, and as Windsor’s Fashion Director, he traveled all over the world. Ike has made it a point to discover the cuisines of every culture he encountered. Naturally, wine became part of that story, and Ike developed a passion for it and the joy it brings to every meal.
Much like his parents, Ike and his wife Lara are true partners. They work hard to nurture their growing boy-girl twins, while at the same time strive to build their family wine business Dogged Vine. Sharing a passion for wine, they recently moved to the Santa Ynez Valley to devote more time to building their brand and sharing it with friends and family.
Dr. Lara Zekaria
Co-Owner
Born in Mexico City, Lara moved to Los Angeles, California when she was seven years old. Although the transition was hard, she soon learned English, made friends, and acclimated to her new life. She still has family living in Mexico and feels very connected to her Mexican roots.
After graduating from high school, she went on to earn a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Pennsylvania and a Master in Education from Pepperdine University. At first, she enjoyed working as an elementary school teacher but soon realized she wanted to combine her love for teaching with her lifelong love of animals. That dream took her back to school for another six years to earn a Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine from UC Davis.
It was at UC Davis that she discovered a passion for wine and winemaking. She was lucky to attend a school so close to Napa and Sonoma and visited wineries often. She became fascinated by the incredible potential of grapes and how they can be transformed in smell and taste to the beautiful variety of wines in the world.
Today, Lara feels blessed to be living and working in the Santa Ynez Valley. Like so many others during the pandemic, she and her husband Ike made the decision to relocate. They traded in their hectic Los Angeles life for a slower, more mindful life in the country. When Lara is not busy raising her boy-girl twins and working as a veterinarian, she is focusing her efforts on Dogged Vine. She loves learning all aspects of the wine business and enjoys sharing her passion for wine with others.
James Sparks
Winemaker
You should trust an ex-Mormon winemaker. Here’s why…James started life as a Mormon. But in 2009, having long left the religious days of his upbringing, his brother-in-law suggested that California’s Santa Ynez Valley in Santa Barbara wine country would be a good place to live—a move that kick-started his career in winemaking.
Originally assistant winemaker for Santa Barbara County label, Dragonette Cellars, James left Dragonette to join Liquid Farm as the boutique label’s very first, dedicated winemaker. James transitioned over to Liquid Farm at the start of harvest 2013, and continues to make Liquid Farm’s variety of wines (now five Chardonnays, a Rosé of Mourvèdre, and four Pinot Noirs) in addition to Kings Carey Wines.
In 2021, Food & Wine magazine highlighted his efforts, writing that he possesses a “Midas touch.” James’ work ethic and attention to detail, including his fastidiousness (some might say annoying) and penchant for cleanliness in the winery, allows his wines to speak for themselves. Simply put, they undergo fewer manipulations which are often due to necessary fixes or corrections in the winemaking process. He is thrilled to be part of Ike and Lara’s dream, and hopes that the purity of flavors and textures in the Dogged Vine wines shines through in every sip.