SBA Spotlight: Tarara Winery
Thank you to Tarara Winery for answering a few of our questions.
Congratulations on being named a finalist for Loudoun Destination Business of the Year!
The 24th Annual Loudoun Small Business Awards will be on November 1, 2018 –Tickets/More Info Here
1. Tell us your story of how your company got to where it is today? (300 words or less)
Tarara Winery is the product of hard work, vision and desire from the Hubert family, primarily the late Whitie Hubert. Whitie dreamed of having a farm that he would be able to welcome people to in order to show the greatness of rural Loudoun County as well as the great hospitality of the area. The winery was created in 1989 and has since been a pioneer for the wine industry in Loudoun. Surrounding himself with the best team possible Whitie pushed Tarara to be one of the most acclaimed, visited, sought after and respected wineries in the area. His dream was developed to the point that the team he started has only grown and succeeded further over the years.
2. What would it mean to you and your company to win a Small Business Award?
It would mean a great deal to all of us at Tarara Winery, but especially Margaret Hubert, Whities wife. Going into our 30thanniversary it would be a sign of our many successes and relationships here in Loudoun county and show the results of what was originally built by Margarets husband. Tarara Winery is very family and friends focused. That how we see our customers, employees and community. We would be thrilled to share this award with all as without everyone in the area, we would not be what we are today.
3. If you weren’t running your own business/working at this business, what would you be doing?
Enjoying wine at some of Loudoun’s other great wineries while exploring all that is Loudoun’s great rural landscape as well as its beautiful towns. Truly though, I can’t envision myself doing anything else at this point other than being in this great industry in Loudoun.
4. What book are you reading right now? / What is your favorite book?
Volcanic Wines – Salt, Grit and Power. I’m pretty passionate about all things vinous. It’s more of an obsession than a career.
5. If you have 24-hours off, and your family was out of town, what would you do?
Firstm facetime my family. Then I would head out to one of my favorite Loudoun restaurants like Ah-So, Conche, Patowmack Farm, Wine Kitchen or Market Table (so many others too!!!!). I would likely hit up a Taekwondo lesson at Kim’s Taekwondo (do that all the time anyway). Then I would come home and binge watch something and have a nice bottle or possibly go golfing with our wine making team at Raspberry Falls. I might have the order of all this wrong J
6. What is the smallest thing that has made the largest impact on your business?
Our Sales/Hospitality managers are all pretty small people and definitely make the biggest impact driving the team J.
7. What did you want to be when you grew up as a child? / What was a childhood dream that you had?
I wanted to be a hockey player. Then I wanted to be in restaurants (which morphed into wine pretty quick).
8. Who is the one person that has influenced you the most in your career?
My first boss, Romano Agostino who managed the restaurant that was the first job I had. He taught me to love your work, work your hardest, and be the best you can be at what you choose. He also taught me that with all that you must have balance in life so also enjoy your family and friends.
9. What is your favorite thing about running a business in Loudoun County?
The people. Everyone from the teamat Tarara to our associates in the community are driven and great people. I also love the diversity of Loudoun County from east to west. The styles of businesses and people is very diverse.
10. If you’re not in the office where can we find you?
At the office still. No, literally, I actually do live at the winery J. My family and I are also very active with Taekwondo at Kim’s Taekwondo so you might find us there. If it is a Saturday morning you will also always see us at the Leesburg Farm Market from 10:30am-11:30am (after TKD) and then running to B Doughnuts before they close.
11. What is your favorite weekend activity in Loudoun County?
Taekwondo, then the Market, then B Doughnuts. Sometimes we get really crazy and hit up Bites for lunch before heading home too. The weekend is also pretty busy at the winery so my wife and I often have friends over or meet friends here and enjoy a glass of wine.