Lewis, John June Sr.

Impact on the world

Founded Woburn Winery in Clarksville, Virginia in 1940, becoming the first recorded Black American to own and operate a winery in U.S. history; the winery is also believed to be the only one in Virginia at the time producing wine made entirely from grapes grown on its own land, focusing on native varieties including the Norton grape.

Life & background

Lewis developed a love of wine and viticulture while stationed in France during World War I, an interest he carried home and eventually acted on after inheriting land in Clarksville, Virginia. With Prohibition recently ended, he began growing his first grapes on the property in 1933, planting native varieties suited to Virginia's climate including the Norton grape, and by 1940 had opened Woburn Winery, selling his wine to local customers until his death in 1974. His winery is recognized as the first Black-owned winery in the United States, and is believed to have been the only winery in Virginia at the time producing wine made entirely from estate-grown grapes rather than purchased fruit.

Sources

1. Essence; Decanter; Virginia Department of Historic Resources