July 30, 2025

721 Martha Barra: Owner of Barra of Mendocino

36 minutes

On this episode of The Kara Goldin Show, we’re joined by Martha Barra, Owner of Barra of Mendocino and Redwood Valley Cellars—a pioneer in organic winemaking with a story that spans decades of grit, growth, and unwavering values. Alongside her late husband, Charlie Barra, Martha helped turn a single vineyard into a thriving, vertically integrated wine business with more than 350 acres of certified organic grapes, two acclaimed wine brands (BARRA of Mendocino and Girasole Vineyards), and a 2.8 million gallon custom crush facility serving wineries across Northern California.
In our conversation, Martha shares what it’s really taken to lead in a legacy industry, the early decision to farm organically before it was popular—or even profitable—and how she’s weathered market shifts, changing consumer expectations, and personal loss to keep the business thriving. We dive into the value of patience, the hard truths about the organic wine market, and how Martha continues to innovate while staying rooted in tradition. If you’ve ever wondered what resilience, vision, and leadership look like over the long haul—this one’s for you.
Whether you’re in the food and beverage world, building a family-run business, or just love hearing from leaders who’ve done the work for decades—this episode is full of timeless insight and inspiration. Now on The Kara Goldin Show.

Are you interested in sponsoring and advertising on The Kara Goldin Show, which is now in the Top 1% of Entrepreneur podcasts in the world? Let me know by contacting me at [email protected]. You can also find me @‌KaraGoldin on all networks.

To learn more about Martha Barra and Barra of Mendocino:
https://www.instagram.com/barraofmendocino
https://www.instagram.com/girasolevineyards
https://www.facebook.com/BarraofMendocinoWines
https://www.facebook.com/GirasoleVineyards
https://www.redwoodvalleycellars.com/
https://www.barraofmendocino.com/