Kara, after whom the winery’s estate vineyard and flagship Cabernet Sauvignon are named, began assisting her father at the winery in 1990, after working in the field of international education. Augmenting the knowledge gained during a childhood spent in wine country, she completed numerous wine industry-related courses at the University of California at Davis, including its acclaimed Wine Executive Program. A passionate lover of wines made from classic Rhône Valley grape varieties, Kara initiated the addition of Syrah to the Robert Pecota wine portfolio in 1997.

Today, Kara devotes her time to raising her two children and developing a small winery consulting business. She is married to Mike Dunn of Dunn Vineyards, another of Napa’s fine, small family wineries.