Daily Inspiration: Meet Sarita Cheaves

Today we’d like to introduce you to Sarita Cheaves.

Hi Sarita, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I was first drawn to wine the way so many of us are, through food, good girlfriends, and shared bottles that seemed to make time slow down. In those early days, wine was simply a backdrop to joy, something to be enjoyed rather than examined. But in my mid-twenties, I attended a wedding California and I made my way to Napa. That was the shift, when that casual curiosity began to evolve. I started paying attention, really paying attention, to what was in my glass and how it make me feel. The subtle differences between bottles, the names and stories printed on the labels, the regions mapped out on the back, and how a single grape could express itself in entirely new ways depending on where it was grown. I bounced around DC, searching for wine shop tastings and wine bar flights.

That passion eventually became purpose. My journey led me to serve as Lead Tasting Room Associate at Black Ankle Vineyards (2008–2015), where I learned firsthand what it takes to bring a bottle to life for others. Later, I expanded my voice as a wine blogger and as co-creator, producer, and host of The Swirl Suite Podcast (2014–2025), where I explored wine through conversations, culture, and storytelling.

Though those chapters have come to a close, my evolution in story-telling in this industry continues. The platforms may shift, and the partnerships may change, but the mission remains the same: the stories still need to be told. With faith, focus, and a little more time, I hope to share the next piece of that story through my upcoming wine pairing cookbook, a project that brings everything full circle, one sip and one recipe at a time.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
My journey hasn’t been without its challenges. Like many independent creators, I struggled to monetize the podcast, to turn passion into something sustainable. There were times when opportunities dried up, when support and funding disappeared, and I had to keep pushing forward anyway. The wine world, like any industry, has its cliques and favoritism, and it can be disheartening to feel unseen while working tirelessly to create meaningful content. People often don’t realize how hard it is to keep showing up when the applause fades and the momentum slows.

Yet even in those moments, I’ve learned to refocus on purpose and keep doing what I love. Ive learned that I love to cook and pair wines and I love to learn how people fell in love with wine. I’ve discovered that consistency and authenticity matter more than popularity. Every interview, every tasting, every story told has helped shape my path. The platforms and partnerships may shift, but the mission remains the same: to tell the stories that deserve to be heard.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
At my core, I’m a storyteller. Wine just happens to be my medium. Everything I do, whether it’s behind the bar, behind a mic, or over a flame, all is rooted in helping people see wine as more than just what’s in the glass. I want them to feel the culture and the communities that enjoy wine.

My background in wine began at Black Ankle Vineyards, where I worked from 2008 to 2015 as a Lead Tasting Room Associate. That’s really where I learned how to connect people to wine in a meaningful way, not through pretentious jargon, but through stories. I discovered that wine is a practiced language anyone can learn if it’s presented with patience and heart.

From there, my path evolved into storytelling on a broader scale. In 2014, I created and co-hosted The Swirl Suite Podcast, which became a platform for voices often left out of the wine conversation. We wanted to talk about wine in a way that reflected real people, diverse backgrounds, different entry points, and honest conversations. It wasn’t always easy, especially trying to sustain and monetize an independent show in a niche space. There were plenty of moments when opportunities dried up and support was hard to find. But what kept me going was knowing how much representation matters — knowing that someone, somewhere, felt seen because of what we created.
What I’m most proud of is that I never let the challenges silence the work. Even when the funding stopped or the doors didn’t open, I kept showing up. I kept telling stories. That persistence, that refusal to give up on something meaningful, is what defines me most.

In 2022, I released “A Wine Activity Book Celebrating The Melanated Wine Enthusiast”. This book is something I created during the pandemic. It was an expression that combined my love for puzzles, wine, and an ode to all the people who carved their way in the wine industry.

What sets me apart, I think, is my perspective. I bridge worlds, the formal side of wine and the everyday side of it. I speak the language of vineyards and vintages, but I also speak the language of people who just want to enjoy wine without judgment. I also speak wine through food and uniquely through TV shows and movies. My work lives in that intersection, where knowledge meets accessibility, and where everyone feels invited to the table. My TikTok hook is “I pair wine with everyday life”.

Right now, I’m pouring that same passion into my next project, a wine pairing cookbook that blends storytelling, flavor, and culture. It’s a full-circle moment for me, a chance to celebrate how wine connects us, not through perfection, but through shared experience. Because at the end of the day, wine isn’t just about what you’re drinking. It’s about who you’re drinking it with, and the stories that come to life when you do.

How do you define success?
For me, success has never been about titles, money, or recognition; it’s about freedom. The freedom to create, to take risks, to be great and to fail, all without regret. That kind of freedom means I’m living on my own terms, staying true to my purpose even when the path isn’t easy or predictable.

In the wine world, and honestly in creative work in general, it’s easy to get caught up in what everyone else is doing, who’s getting the funding, who’s getting the features, who’s being seen. I’ve had moments where I questioned my place because the opportunities didn’t come as easily. But what I’ve learned is that real success isn’t always loud or visible. Sometimes it’s the quiet confidence of knowing you built something authentic, something that reflects who you are.

When I think about freedom, I think about the ability to evolve. The space to try new things, to pivot, to explore new ideas without asking permission. That’s why I’ve been able to shift from the tasting room to podcasting, and now into writing and developing my wine pairing cookbook. Each chapter has looked different, but the common thread is choice, the freedom to grow and express myself creatively.

Success, to me, is waking up knowing that what I’m doing aligns with who I am. It’s being unafraid to fail publicly if it means I’m trying something real. Because failure teaches, and freedom gives you the courage to keep going. I’d rather stumble chasing something I love than stand still doing something safe.

So when I think about where I’ve been and where I’m going, I define success as the freedom to keep showing up, boldly, authentically, and without regret. That’s the kind of success that lasts, because it’s not measured by anyone else’s standards but my own.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.vinemeupdc.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vinemeup/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/vinemeup/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarita-cheaves-b468a620/
• Other: https://open.spotify.com/show/3cqmafKQScEWkCNgHhjeHL?si=akQJaQ0XQ6K25kskT52k8A