Dec 30, 2022
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KITÁ
| Owner(s) | Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians |
| Web site | www.kitawines.com |
| Link to this site |
Tara Gomez, General Manager and Winemaker at KITÁ, has had a love for wine from the time she stepped inside a winery as a child. With the help of a scholarship from the Sana Ynez Band of Chumash Indians, Tara attended California State University at Fresno and graduated with a BS in Enology in 1998.
After school, she became the enologist at Fess Parker Winery followed by the same position at J. Lohr Vineyards in Paso Robles. She started her own label, Kalawashaq Wine Cellars, making Merlot, Syrah, Zinfandel and Cabernet Franc. After nine years at J. Lohr, she followed her passion for winemaking to Spain. Two years later, the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians acquired the Camp 4 Vineyard and Tara was hired as winemaker.
The assistant winemaker is Tymari LoRe a 2009 graduate of Cal Poly San Luis Obispo in enology and viticulture.
The Kita program was shut down by the Chumash Indians owners in 2022.
Several varietals are offered including a Pinot Noir from Hilliard Bruce Vineyard in the Sta. Rita Hills.
The wines are largely sold through a mailing list.
Articles About KITÁ
Adventures on the Pinot Trail: World of Pinot Noir: The Tastings (9.39 3/29/2014)
California Spring Releases of Pinot Noir to Covet (11.7 8/7/2017)
KITÁ Wines (10.30 5/11/2016)
Quick Trigger: Are Reviews Done Too Soon? (11.18 2/3/2018)
Sips of Recently Tasted Domestic Chardonnay (11.7 8/7/2017)
Reviewed Wines
2015 Kitá Hilliard Bruce Vineyard Sta. Rita Hills Chardonnay
12.8% alc., pH 3.15, TA 0.0.645,
165 cases, $30. Release fall 2017. Produced and bottled by Chumash Cellars, Lompoc, CA.. Dijon
clones 76 and 96. Harvest Brix 22.0º. Lees stirring with no malolactic fermentation. Aged 6 months in
French oak barrels, 14% new, 86% neutral.
·
Light golden yellow color in the glass. Aromas of pear,
green apple, lime zest and nuts lead to a reserved style most noted for its acid-driven minerality.
Flavors of citrus and green apple carry through to a finish offering a tight cut of acidity. A bare fruit
style that will appeal to aficionados of non-MLF and minimally oaked Chardonnay.
Score: 89.
Reviewed August 6, 2017
ARTICLE »
2014 Kitá Hilliard Bruce Vineyard Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir
20 months
·
The nose is very charming, offering
hi-tone aromas of cherry, fragrant compost, mushroom, allspice and root beer. Impressive harmony and
vibrancy, with the mid weight essence of perfectly ripened cherries complimented by a slight spice and bourbon
note. Attention-getting on the attack and wonderful intensity and length on the finish. This wine has really
picked up nuance and interest over time. Previously 91
Score: 94.
Reviewed February 4, 2018
ARTICLE »
2014 Kitá Hilliard Bruce Vineyard Sta. Rita Hills Chardonnay
13.0% alc., pH 3.20, TA 6.75, 189
cases, $30. Harvest Brix 22.0º. Aged in stainless steel for 8 months.
·
Delicate golden yellow color in
the glass. The nose is very becoming, with delicate aromas of lemon oil, apple, grapefruit and a hint
of vanilla. Light and ethereal in style, with delightful lemon and pear flavors framed with a bright cut
of acidity. Velvety in the mouth with good length on the lemon-lime inspired finish. A charming wine
that seems to walk on tip toes.
Score: 92.
Reviewed May 11, 2016
ARTICLE »
2014 Kitá Hilliard Bruce Vineyard Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir
13.0% alc., $55.
·
Moderately light reddish purple
color in the glass. Seductive aromas of black cherry, spice, rose petal and toast rise from the glass, leading to a
lighter weighted wine that is sleek and elegant. Flavors of black cherry, exotic spice, tea and char enliven the
palate and carry over to a delicate, but satisfying finish. The soft tannins are well matched, and the wine is very
easy to cozy up to.
Score: 91.
Reviewed May 11, 2016
ARTICLE »
2014 Kitá Hilliard Bruce Vineyard Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir
12.8% alc., pH 3.80, TA 0.567, 217 cases, $55.
Produced and bottled by Chumash Cellars, Lompoc, CA.. Harvest Brix 23.0º. Aged 18 months in French oak
barrels, 20% new, 80% neutral.
·
Moderately light garnet color in the glass. Aromas of cherry, cranberry and
marzipan lead to a light weight styled wine with flavors of cherry gum drop, red berries and savory herbs. The
fruit tastes riper than the harvest Brix would indicate. Silky in the mouth, with a pleasing cherry themed finish.
Score: 89.
Reviewed August 6, 2017
ARTICLE »
2015 Kitá Hilliard Bruce Vineyard Sta. Rita Hills Chardonnay
12.8% alc., pH 3.15, TA 0.0.645, 165 cases, $30. Release fall 2017. Produced and bottled by Chumash Cellars, Lompoc, CA.. Dijon clones 76 and 96. Harvest Brix 22.0º. Lees stirring with no malolactic fermentation. Aged 6 months in French oak barrels, 14% new, 86% neutral. · Light golden yellow color in the glass. Aromas of pear, green apple, lime zest and nuts lead to a reserved style most noted for its acid-driven minerality. Flavors of citrus and green apple carry through to a finish offering a tight cut of acidity. A bare fruit style that will appeal to aficionados of non-MLF and minimally oaked Chardonnay. Score: 89. Reviewed August 6, 2017 ARTICLE »
2014 Kitá Hilliard Bruce Vineyard Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir
20 months · The nose is very charming, offering hi-tone aromas of cherry, fragrant compost, mushroom, allspice and root beer. Impressive harmony and vibrancy, with the mid weight essence of perfectly ripened cherries complimented by a slight spice and bourbon note. Attention-getting on the attack and wonderful intensity and length on the finish. This wine has really picked up nuance and interest over time. Previously 91 Score: 94. Reviewed February 4, 2018 ARTICLE »
2014 Kitá Hilliard Bruce Vineyard Sta. Rita Hills Chardonnay
13.0% alc., pH 3.20, TA 6.75, 189 cases, $30. Harvest Brix 22.0º. Aged in stainless steel for 8 months. · Delicate golden yellow color in the glass. The nose is very becoming, with delicate aromas of lemon oil, apple, grapefruit and a hint of vanilla. Light and ethereal in style, with delightful lemon and pear flavors framed with a bright cut of acidity. Velvety in the mouth with good length on the lemon-lime inspired finish. A charming wine that seems to walk on tip toes. Score: 92. Reviewed May 11, 2016 ARTICLE »
2014 Kitá Hilliard Bruce Vineyard Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir
13.0% alc., $55. · Moderately light reddish purple color in the glass. Seductive aromas of black cherry, spice, rose petal and toast rise from the glass, leading to a lighter weighted wine that is sleek and elegant. Flavors of black cherry, exotic spice, tea and char enliven the palate and carry over to a delicate, but satisfying finish. The soft tannins are well matched, and the wine is very easy to cozy up to. Score: 91. Reviewed May 11, 2016 ARTICLE »
2014 Kitá Hilliard Bruce Vineyard Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir
12.8% alc., pH 3.80, TA 0.567, 217 cases, $55. Produced and bottled by Chumash Cellars, Lompoc, CA.. Harvest Brix 23.0º. Aged 18 months in French oak barrels, 20% new, 80% neutral. · Moderately light garnet color in the glass. Aromas of cherry, cranberry and marzipan lead to a light weight styled wine with flavors of cherry gum drop, red berries and savory herbs. The fruit tastes riper than the harvest Brix would indicate. Silky in the mouth, with a pleasing cherry themed finish. Score: 89. Reviewed August 6, 2017 ARTICLE »