Denver Wine Merchant Shares Her Love of Wine With The World
Wine sommelier Sally Stewart shares her love of wine with her store the Denver Wine Merchant
Photos courtesy of Sally Stewart | A selection of wine and beer curated by Stewart, at the Denver Wine Merchant
Sally Stewart is showing the world her love through her wine store, the Denver Wine Merchant. Customers flock to the north Highland neighborhood store to explore an extensive variety of wines, beers and spirits in a non-intimidating atmosphere.
Stewart and Washuta at the Denver Wine Merchant
Becoming a wine sommelier is no small feat, but to become one at the age of 27 and an advanced sommelier at 31 is pretty spectacular. Stewart grew up in Houston and studied hotel and restaurant management in college in the hopes of becoming a chef. In her first job as a chef (at age 22), she started teaching her peers about how wine can accentuate various menus.
She moved to San Francisco at age 25 and met her partner, Steven Washuta, via a wine sales job. They traveled around the world, working in famous restaurants while creating wine programs. Ultimately, she wanted to end up in her favorite city—Denver—and have a wine shop.
Stewart with some favorite rosé wines
A year before the move to Denver, life threw Stewart a curveball: At the age of 32, she was diagnosed with ALS. In Colorado, she found peers and support through the Women’s Wine Guild of Colorado, a nonprofit that helps women in the wine and hospitality industry flourish through mentorship and education, supporting each other and fighting for equal respect and pay. Her peers in the guild have helped Stewart raise awareness of ALS while bringing attention to women in the wine business.
She and Washuta opened the Denver Wine Merchant in 2020, taking over a failing liquor store and turning it into a “a wine paradise,” as Stewart says.
Stewart wants people to know that ALS does not just affect older male adults, and she is active in “Her ALS Story,” a place where females diagnosed with ALS before age 35 can support each other and be a voice for finding a cure.
Her favorite three wine regions are Etna, Burgundy and Piedmont, but she is a lover of all wine. Stewart and Washuta distinguish their wine shop from other stores by providing over 25 years of combined experience. They are known for their impeccable service, and Stewart will make sure she understands what you are looking for when recommending a wine.
A force in the wine industry—and a woman with many missions yet to come—Sally Stewart is a reminder to not sweat the small stuff, to live every day to the fullest, to pursue your dreams and, by all means, to drink the wine!
DENVER WINE MERCHANT
3911 Fox St., Denver
303-433-4020
THE WOMEN’S WINE GUILD OF COLORADO
Caren Austin is a food and lifestyle writer for Colorado magazines. She is a true foodie who seeks out new and exciting places to dine in Colorado. She lives with her husband and two rescue dogs in the mountains of Evergreen.
