meet sarita.
Washington, D.C.
Sarita | Washington, D.C.
I first connected with Sarita on Instagram during those unforgettable COVID years, when she graciously featured TFLUXÈ (back when it was just finding its footing) on The Swirl Suite podcast. Our conversation was full of laughter and warmth and not long after, I discovered she was a fellow Libra like myself (which explains a lot…in a good way)! Happy Veterans Day and I hope you feel connected to her story as much as I did.
The Beginning
“I was first drawn to wine the same way many of us are,” Sarita says. “Through good times and enjoying a bottle with friends. But somewhere along the way, that casual curiosity started to shift. I began to notice the details — the regions on the map, the stories behind the labels, the way one grape could taste completely different depending on where it was grown.”
That simple shift — from sipping to studying changed everything for her. What started as “just drinking wine” turned into a deep fascination with how it all connects: land, people, and culture. It wasn’t just about flavor; it was about belonging.
Sarita’s journey began in the heart of Maryland’s wine scene, where she worked as a Tasting Room Associate at Black Ankle Vineyards from 2008 to 2015. What she learned there wasn’t just technical skills but the ability to be human centered when approaching wine. From the energy of the tasting room to the intimacy of pouring for a complete stranger, and the joy of conversation over a shared bottle, she knew that these experiences were feeding her calling.
By 2014, that passion evolved into The Swirl Suite Podcast, a space she co-created and produced to spotlight voices in wine that too often go unheard. “Even though these chapters have come to a close,” she reflects, “I’m still evolving in this industry. The platforms and partners may shift, but the stories still need to be told.”
Rooted in Blackness, Raised in DC
Every bottle Sarita opens and every story she tells, carries the heartbeat of her city. “Everything I create, from podcast conversations to TikTok videos, is rooted in who I am,” she says. “I honor my work through my Blackness, my DC pride, and my commitment to showing that wine belongs to all of us.”
Her approach to wine is grounded in authenticity — a reminder that this space isn’t just for the elite. It’s for the everyday people who bring their full selves to the table. “My goal is always the same,” she adds. “To make wine more approachable, inclusive, and deeply connected to the people who enjoy it.”
A Taste of Memory
Sarita has a number of taste forward memorable moments but the 2014 Wine Bloggers Conference in Santa Barbara sticks out the most because it was her first big trip in the industry, funded by a scholarship.
“We were on a hill surrounded by rolling vines, winemakers all around, and the wines were spectacular. Lamb chops, crispy potatoes, caprese salad — I can still remember the air. When I posted a selfie, one of my followers commented, ‘cheers to you living the dream.’ That was just the beginning.”
And then there’s Pennsylvania in 2019 where she got to experience a three-day press trip that ended with an outdoor dinner hosted by Vox Vineti. “It was September, the weather was perfect, and dinner was paired with local wines and rustic dishes cooked in a brick oven. The roasted pears, the fall air, the wine… simply blissful.” You can still catch a glimpse of that magic in her Instagram post.
Behind the Pour
Ask Sarita what she wishes more people understood about wine, and her answer comes quickly. “Wine is for everyone,” she says. “This industry is not carved out for the elite. Our wine knowledge comes from trained behaviors, and there’s nothing stopping anyone from joining us.”
But she’s also honest about the barriers that persist. “Behind the polished surface, it’s a lot of hustle, relationships, and unspoken gatekeeping. It shapes who gets seen, heard, and supported. Diversity and equity in wine don’t just happen because a few of us show up — it takes real effort and intention from the people who hold power and resources.”
Still, she believes the tide is turning. “The good news is, change is happening. We’re creating our own spaces, telling our own stories, and reminding the industry that representation isn’t a trend — it’s the future.”
Flavor, Sound, and Soul
Sarita’s world is filled with flavor. Her winter glass of choice? Syrah. “It’s such a spicy, sensual wine,” she smiles, naming the 2008 Black Ankle Leafstone Syrah as a favorite vintage.
And when she’s not sipping, she’s stirring. “My favorite winter cocktail is a Hot Toddy. I mean, it’s medicinal!” she laughs. “Sometimes it’s ginger-heavy, sometimes lemon-based. I’ll take it any way it’s made.”
Her pantry staples tell their own story: smoked paprika for color and depth, basil for freshness on everything.
And because I’m an arts and culture buff, I had to ask her about her playlist which ended up being straight from the 90s. “Neo-soul and R&B raised me. I grew up sleeping next to a boombox, waiting for my favorite song to play so I could tape it. The jazz foundation with funk and soul — it’s spiritual.” From Tribe Called Quest to Erykah Badu, Mary J. to D’Angelo, her soundtrack is as layered as her palate — nostalgic, grounded, and full of feeling.
The TFLUXÈ Dinner Dreams Are Made Of
If she could set the perfect TFLUXÈ dinner table, it would be in New Orleans, under the late October sky. The table is filled with a five course seafood spread: oysters (raw and chargrilled) with homemade Old Bay saltines, blue crabs, gumbo, shrimp and grits with kale-collard greens, and sweet potato cheesecake for dessert.
She would be joined by her husband and their favorite couple friends, Katisha and Freddie listening to a dope playlist in the background — D’Angelo and the Soulquarians to start, before giving way to go-go and rap classics from 1998 to 2006 once the Sazerac makes its way around. It’s laughter, flavor, rhythm, and connection — the kind of night that sums up everything Sarita brings to her work and her world.
It’s A Wrap
For Sarita, wine isn’t just what’s poured. It’s who’s pouring, who’s invited, and whose stories are finally being told. She’s currently working on a wine pairing cookbook, a project that promises to bring her signature warmth, humor, and cultural depth to the table once again.
“Wine,” she says, “is a gateway to culture I didn’t know and a new community I needed.” In her hands, every bottle becomes an invitation — to slow down, to listen, and to savor the stories that make us who we are. You can find her on Instagram and tell her Ty-Juana sent you!
xoxo,
Ty-Juana