about your hosts
Between the two of us, we've been working in the California wine industry for over 17 years between Hospitality (think: working at wineries), Wine Clubs, and Digital Marketing. Not only that, John grew up in Napa and Tara grew up in Sonoma.
We've been around the block once or twice, have seen a lot of interesting things in the food and beverage industry (and enjoy spilling the tea about it, obviously). On top of that, we're avid travelers. While we wish we had this wild, wanderlust-filled nomadic lifestyle at times, we have an eight month old and full-time jobs that keep us nice and busy.
When we're not on a trip, we're happily home based where we grew up. We did get married in Italy, though! That was pretty sweet...
good question! let's dig in...
who are we, anyway?
Your fellow foodies, epicurians, and lovers of all things travel and exploration.
about tara
Tara's taste for travel came at the age of 19 when she studied abroad in Florence, which also happened to be her first time out of the U.S. After quickly falling in love with Italy (as most do), this kick started her deep passion for discovering more. More adventure, more mouthwatering global cuisine, and more exotic and exciting beverages as time went on. Growing up around the wine industry of Sonoma County, it's only fitting she fell into a job in a tasting room after working for Gap, Inc. for 8 years.
After several trips to Italy and countries beyond for pleasure throughout her early 20s, she moved back to Florence in 2017 for work experience. She earned her TEFL Certification, then journeyed to Rome for the opportunity to teach English to the Italian military at the Ministero della Difesa. She returned in 2018, met John while working at a winery in Napa, then three months later they found themselves happily dating and living at a winery just outside of Siena, Italy.
After three months, they returned home and Tara began her career in digital marketing for the wine industry, and continues this work to this day. She's also the brains behind Taste Toast Travel, but her most important "title" is Mama to their daugther, Audrey.
wife + mama | digital marketer | brains behind the pod
As a Certified Sommelier and CSW with an MBA in Wine Business Management—plus 10+ years of wine industry experience—John is a breadth of knowledge when it comes to all things food, beverages, and how the hospitality world works. Through working for some of the most noteworthy and well-known names in Sonoma and Napa (think: Beringer and Inglenook), John's passion for all things tasting, toasting, and traveling goes beyond the wine industry.
With his questionable dad jokes and admittedly dry sense of humor, he's all about bringing an entertaining mix of industry know-how and good banter to the podcast.
certified sommelier | hospitality extraordinaire | certified specialist of wine
about john
