2008
Ike and Lara Zekaria first visited the Santa Ynez Valley in 2008. Los Angeles residents, the Zekarias found the area an easy weekend getaway. The beauty of the region lured them, and the discovery of beautiful wines from the Central Coast convinced them to find a way to stay.
Soon, they purchased a shared weekend home with family and spent their time in the valley exploring wineries and meeting winemakers. As a result, wine soon became a big part of Ike and Lara’s life. While Ike relishes the art of wine pairing and how wine can take food to the next level, Lara is fascinated at the range and depth of wines all over the world.
2016
In 2016, Ike and Lara took their love for the Santa Ynez wine country to the next level. They began to hunt for a property to call their own. Although still active in their careers—Ike co-owns a reputable fashion business, and Lara is a distinguished veterinarian—Ike and Lara wanted to move to Santa Ynez sooner rather than later. They yearned for a place to build a dream home and possibly start their own winery. Due to ongoing health challenges over the years, Ike and Lara were also looking to regenerate and live a more peaceful, health-filled life with each other and their children.
2017
A year later, in early 2017, a 20-acre property came up for sale. It was a picturesque landscape of hills and valleys. It contained a natural pond, a few structures, and an existing vineyard. At the time, it was farmed by a management company that employed a viticulturist named James Sparks. Neither Ike nor Lara knew it at the time, but that young man would one day become their winemaker.
It was at that time that Ike and Lara named the estate Dogged Ranch, a play on words. As a veterinarian, much of Lara’s work is centered around the care of dogs. At the same time, the term ‘dogged’ refers to a tenacious persistence, a will to persevere—and in Ike and Lara’s case, the dogged pursuit of their dreams.
Once acquired, Ike and Lara realized the complexity of their estate was even better for winemaking than they anticipated. Cooling breezes offered a constant flow of energy, and the estate’s pond helped mitigate temperatures and foster an array of unique microclimates.
Today
The estate was a diamond in the rough. It soon became clear, however, that although all of the elements were there for a peaceful home and a successful winery, a lot needed to be done. Ike and Lara were determined to build a home on the property and rework the vineyard. There were many setbacks—logistically, financially, and personally—but in the end, they are fulfilling their dreams. Today, the Zekarias are living full time at Dogged Ranch in Santa Ynez, California, and have successfully released their first wines. They hope you enjoy them as much as they do!