There are few things that get us more excited than hearing stories of women in business who go after their dreams. I admire the passion, courage, and tenacity of females, as we typically have to overcome a few more challenges than our awesome male counterparts.
Erin O’Brien and Allison Buffum, Saved By the Wine Owners
Erin O’Brien and Allison Buffum are the owners of Saved by the Wine in Dillon, Colorado, and they are kicking a$$. We had the honor of filming a feature video to capture their business story for Women of the Summit. They were selected as the grant winners at the first annual Women of the Summit Gala in December 2022. Erin and Allison are seeking to rebrand their business as a wine bar and “eatery” since they serve an exquisite variety of homemade dishes and desserts in addition to their eclectic collection of wines.
Their story is special and inspiring! They were ski instructors a while ago at Keystone Resort and became best friends. They would brainstorm different business ideas, and had in mind to build a “do-good” company. They decided to combine their love of food and wine and animals to create a local winery where a portion of all their profits benefited animal shelters. They opened their doors in 2020.
Needless to say, there were a series of challenges they faced throughout the first two years in business, due to extra restrictions, but they persevered through each one, and have thrived, becoming a favorite spot for locals and visitors passing through.
Women in Male-Dominated Worlds
They share their story in the video we filmed and their experiences as women. Allison is a chef with an excellent work-ethic. She spent a great deal of time in kitchens, mostly among men, setting her bar high, and honing her skills as incredible chef. Erin has had a long-time fascination with wine and became a sommelier. She is excited by the new trends of vineyards owned by women and new female-owned wine labels. She brings a wealth of knowledge to offer a unique variety of wine selection with the best recommendations for food/wine pairings. Erin and Allison bring complementary strengths to the table as business partners and friends, and they enjoy being leaders and making a difference in our community.
Congratulations to Erin and Allison and Saved by the Wine Bar & Eatery, and a special thanks to Women of the Summit for support women owned businesses in the area. We are all so lucky to be a part of each others lives!
If you plan on stopping by Saved by the Wine, let us know, and we’d love to meet you there!