Lewis, John June Sr.
1894-1974 · Contribution: 1933-1940
Vintner
Widely recognized as the first African American to own and operate a winery in the United States (Woburn Winery, Clarksville, Virginia, founded 1940)
Portraits are AI-generated interpretations, not photographs.
Quick facts
- Born
- 1894
- Active since
- 1933
- Category
- Agriculture & Food
- Best known for
- First recorded Black U.S. winery ownerWoburn WineryNorton-grape wines
Impact on the world
Lewis established the first documented Black-owned winery in America, decades before the industry acknowledged Black vintners. He built it entirely on estate-grown native grapes.
Sources
- In Good Taste
1 more sources and references are available to members.
Related visionaries
Rideau, Iris
c. 1937-present
Opened Rideau Vineyard in 1997, believed to be the first winery in the United States owned and operated by a Black woman
McDonald, Edward Lee "Mac"
1942-present
Founded Vision Cellars in 1995, becoming one of the first Black-owned premium Pinot Noir labels in California, and co-founded the Association of African American Vintners in 2002 to expand Black participation in the wine industry
Lee, Theodora
c. 1962-present
Founded Theopolis Vineyards in 2003 in Mendocino County's Yorkville Highlands while continuing a full-time career as a senior trial lawyer, becoming one of the few Black women to both own and personally make wine in the United States
Green, Nathan 'Nearest'
c.1820-1890s
First known African American master distiller; taught the distilling craft to a young Jack Daniel, whose namesake whiskey brand became a global industry