Meet Sarah Barnas | Business Owner

We had the good fortune of connecting with Sarah Barnas and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Sarah, can you talk to us a bit about the social impact of your business?

At Persona Wine, our mission goes beyond just selling wine; it’s about fostering meaningful connections within our community. I believe that a local business thrives when it becomes an integral part of the local fabric, and the only way to achieve that is by investing in your community. Through cultivating personal relationships with our patrons, collaborating with other small businesses, sponsoring community events, organizing fun activities, etc. we aim to enrich the lives of those around us.

Choosing to sell only natural wines reflects my commitment to supporting natural winemakers using agricultural practices that are kinder to our planet. For those unfamiliar, natural wine is crafted with minimal intervention. Nothing is added or removed from the wine, ensuring a pure and authentic product. This approach to winemaking is championed by small, eco-friendly producers both domestically and globally, aligning my ethos on sustainability and environmental stewardship. And I love that I’m providing my wonderful patrons with a more sustainable and conscientious way of enjoying wine.

At Persona, we are proud to be part of a movement that prioritizes sustainability, quality and community well-being!

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.

I started working in hospitality at the age of 16, starting as a hostess and continuing through college as a server at the Dark Horse in Boulder. I always thought I would pursue a career related to my bachelor’s degree after graduation, but youth is for the young and I was dead set on experiencing life in New York City. Shortly after moving there, I landed my first bartending gig, which not only gave me financial freedom but also turned out to be something I really enjoyed! After spending a few years in NYC, I advanced to general managing several establishments and eventually joined my brother’s restaurant, Little Canal, where I discovered my profound love for wine.

Having worked in nearly every facet of hospitality for 20 years gave me the experience I needed to feel confident enough to open my own small business, Persona Wine. But, as I moved through the process of building my business, I quickly discovered that I had jumped into it with a healthy dose of blissful ignorance and a dollop of naivety… it was so much harder than I expected. I had this “quest for perfection” approach and ironically, it was precisely because of that mindset that I found myself navigating through numerous failures. I quickly learned that perfection does not exist, especially when you’re venturing into new and unknown territories. There were moments when I felt inadequate and completely lost, but thankfully, I have a great support system through my family and friends. They reminded me that this was an adventure
and a learning process. Shoutout to all of you who kept me glued together!

The journey thus far has taught me more than I ever could’ve imagined, and I’d like to think it’s made me a better person and business owner. I am now a little over a year into running my own business and honestly, it’s so much fun! I have a deep love for natural wine and my brand reflects that. I support small wine makers who are environmentally driven and their passion is reflected in their process. I am very proud of what I have built within my community and I only hope to continue growing, learning and bringing a bit of joy through some delicious, quality wine.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?

This is easy—my best friend Laura loves to do all the things I enjoy, and we have our Fun-Tinerary down to a science!

Day 1: Rooftop Views and Reservoir Romp

Morning: We’d kick off our week with drinks at Avanti’s rooftop, enjoying the stunning
view of the Flatirons while indulging in pizza and Caesar salad from New Yorkese.

Afternoon: Next, we’d head to Horsetooth Reservoir for some paddle-boarding,
swimming, and all-around-mermaiding.

Evening: For dinner, we never miss a super silly night at the Dark Horse, complete with
an Atomic Chicken Sandwich, a pound of wings and one too many straw shots (ask
them about these next time you’re there).

Day 2: Creekside Session and Live Music

Morning: After a post-rachet evening, we’d wash away our sins at the Boulder Creek
with sandwiches and a charcuterie spread from Le Frigo.

Afternoon: Nap time. We earned it.

Evening: In the evening, we’d catch a fun show at the Boulder Theatre.

Day 3: Fine Dining and Finer Wine

Morning: We would dine at Lucky’s Café in North Boulder because it’s the best breakfast in town, including mimosa’s and bloody mary’s. Don’t skip the Huevos, just sayin.

Afternoon: We would mosey around Wonderland Lake and watch the paraglider’s float in the sky and land next to us.

Evening: To class it up a bit, we’d take a scenic drive to Lyons to my favorite dinner spot paired with amazing wine at Marigold.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My mother, Kim. She is a true inspiration and the light of my life. I strive every day to be as thoughtful, kind, generous, and an all around boss lady as she is.

Website: https://personawineshop.com

Instagram: @personawine

Image Credits
Maddy B Creates