Today we’d like to introduce you to Russ Johnson.
Hi Russ, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I have been fortunate to travel the world and experience many amazing places, cultures — and wine! As part of my adventures, I took up sailing late in life and immediately fell in love with it. A group of friends and I just returned from sailing in Croatia, where the locals were always wonderful and friendly and the food and the wine were world-class. That experience led me to recently introduce Croatian wine and spirits to the local cuisine here in Kansas City.
As the opportunity to travel far and wide to explore the world of wine is sometimes elusive, Sail Away Wine sets out to deliver that spirit of adventure and escape for everyone close to home. Enjoying wine from a distant corner of the world allows one to get away and experience, albeit briefly, that far away culture and place. Sail Away Wine is that neighborhood respite where you can explore the world through wine and do so on your own terms and at your own pace.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Sail Away Wine is in a smaller space, by design, to provide a special, cozy atmosphere for our wine explorers. Sometimes that has made it a full house, but the experience always remains very enjoyable. Of course, it would be awesome to see more folks during the quieter times early in the week!
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Sail Away Wine is a one-of-a-kind concept in Kansas City, offering 72 different self-serve wines by the taste, half pour, or full glass which you can pair with delicious flatbread, charcuterie, and sweet escapes. For the wine, you choose your own adventure with your complimentary Sail Away Wine Passport, which is used in our wine dispensing machines.
The Passport keeps track of your purchases and you settle your bill at the end of your journey. Sail Away Wine is all about exploring and sampling, and every visit is different. For our friends that aren’t in a wine mood, we also offer a carefully curated selection of 30 craft beers and 24 high-end spirits.
Have you learned any interesting or important lessons due to the Covid-19 Crisis?
It was the COVID-19 crisis that actually brought about the decision to take the steps to start the wine bar. Life is short, and with travel stunted and the world made too small by quarantines, the vision for a wine bar that allows visitors to explore the world one sip at a time was more relevant than ever.
The timing added complexity, of course. Construction started during the peak of the pandemic, with the existing interior being completely demolished, exposing long-hidden brick walls and steel beams. The result was a completely transformed interior reflective of Sail Away Wine’s desire for a casual and yet inviting space.
Of course, there were supply chain challenges and additional steps to make sure the construction crews stayed safe and healthy. Sail Away Wine was fortunate to be able to open right about the time many in-person dining restrictions were being lifted.
Pricing:
- Wine pours start for as little as $1.25 an ounce.
- As every wine can be sampled by the ounce, some of the once-in-a-lifetime wines are still able to be experienced at a very reasonable price.
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: sailawaywine.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sailawaywine/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SailAwayWine
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/sailawaywine
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUCcS6lP8NOPok10DOi7HFA
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/sail-away-wine-north-kansas-city-2
- Other: https://explorenkc.com/sail-away-wine/
