From Wine Country to Wichita: DeAnna Ornelas Brings Cosecha to ICT

For DeAnna Ornelas, Wichita is home. The city’s North End, known for its rich Mexican and Latin American cultures, raised her into the independent, forward-thinking business owner she is today.

“I love that I grew up in a community that was predominantly Hispanic,” shared Ornelas. “That place shaped my values, taught me resilience and to hold true to who I am.”

As a Wichita North High School and Wichita State University alumna, Ornelas said what she learned in the Air Capital helped her navigate the wine industry in Portland. She started working in the world-famous Willamette Valley in 2015 to deepen her knowledge of Pinot noir, her favorite grape.

“Willamette Valley is the best place to grow Pinot noir stateside outside of Burgandy, France,” Ornelas explained. “We have to work for a large portion of our lives, so I had the immense privilege and opportunity to actually make a living doing something I loved, which was bringing people together through food and wine in Oregon for ten years.”

While the last decade on the coast was rewarding, Ornelas felt a pull to return to her roots. In March 2025, she moved back to Wichita to share her love of beverages and inclusivity with her hometown.

“I love where I'm from. My entire immediate family lives in Wichita. I chose to move back not only because the cost of living is affordable but also because I want to give back to the place that raised me and helped shape who I am today. I want to share what I learned with my community in an impactful way,” she shared.

Ornelas owns Cosecha, a wine and Mezcal pop-up that proudly showcases and explores the rich history of wines and Mezcals from Mexico and the Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) community. “Cosecha,” meaning “harvest” in Spanish, is more than just a business for Ornelas – it’s a mission to bring representation and culture to the forefront.

“The intent is to help every wine or Mezcal drinker discover where their palate lies within the big world of beverages and meet them where they're at in their beverage journey,” she explained. “Most people don’t know that the first wine region in North America was in Mexico. I want to change that by sharing these stories and creating a space where everyone feels welcome to explore the world of wine.”

For Ornelas, Wichita isn’t just home; it’s the ideal place to build a purposeful life.

“It’s a place where you can put down roots, build meaningful connections, and enjoy life without the stress and costs associated with more famous destinations,” she said.