After obtaining a Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering and a Master’s Degree in Laser Physics from UCLA, Sarah decided to take a leave of absence from her Ph.D. program to attend the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, New York. She moved to New York City, obtained a sommelier certification through the Sommelier Society of America and an Advanced Certificate from the WSET, and set out with a backpack on a one and a half year journey through the wine regions of Europe, Australia, and South America. Upon her return to California Sarah opened the original Barrel Room in San Francisco in August 2011, The Barrel Room Rockridge in December 2013, and The Barrel Room San Francisco at 415 Sansome in 2015.