WARNER ROBINS, Ga. — In the center part of town, just south of Russell Parkway, you can find a small building. On it’s face, it has it’s name: La’Vino Wine Bar.
Tuesday through Saturday evening, you may enter the small white building and take in it’s warm exterior: a bike, painted yellow and joined by yellow flowers; a plethora of chairs and cushions to sit on and the business’ centerpiece — wine. Just through the backdoor, you can find a lawn, and empty bottles acting as evidence of the business’ success.
But the important part is the people. From outside, you can hear peoples’ chattering, their laughter. Behind the bar, working at the business they own together, you’ll find Ebony and Marc Lewis, making it all possible.
Ebony sat down with The Journal and shed some light on how it all got started.
Ebony Lewis is retired from the Air Force as of October, having spent 8 years in active duty, and the rest of her military career in reserves. Today, she does HR work with the Space Force. Her husband is still active duty. The two of them have a seven-year-old son, an 18-year-old daughter attending Georgia Southern and a 24-year-old daughter working with the Air Force as well.
During an assignment in California, the Lewis’ began taking in wine culture. Visiting places like Napa and Temecula, Lewis said she learned the nuances of the aromatics and flavors, the differences in wines and how they come to be and some of the different grapes and their origins.
After their time in California, her husband was stationed at the Pentagon in Washington D.C.; Lewis decided to move to Warner Robins.
“I was riding around one day and I called my husband, he was in D.C., and I asked, ‘what are you doing?’” Ebony said. “He said, ‘I’m out having drinks, what are you doing?’”
“’Well, I’m leaving a restaurant, I’m going home. Nothing to do. Do you remember that wine bar I said we should open? I’m going to find some property tomorrow.’”
Ebony Lewis found her property about a year and a half ago — the building they’re working in now. At the time, they didn’t do anything with the property, as her mother became ill. After her passing, and after the family was able to grieve, the work to open their wine bar began.
The bar’s first official day of business was Friday, Oct. 7.
“In California, I drank a lot of wine,” Lewis said. “I figured I could bring something different [to Houston County]. Instead of you having to go into a restaurant and have a whole meal, you can come by the wine bar, I can jump out, we can talk about wine, and have a simple discussion.
“Wine is conversation. I always say, you come here as strangers and leave as friends.”
La’Vino’s offers two slushies that change on a weekly basis, ranging in flavor profiles, as well as a litany of wines, including a Pinotage from South Africa, a Riesling from New York, and Interceptor, NFL Hall of Famer Charles Woodson’s wine collection. Ebony Lewis calls their business “a boutique wine bar.”
In addition to the drinks they offer, the Lewis’ organize a growing selection of events, including Yoga and Mimosas, charcuterie board classes and special discount nights for educators, healthcare workers and the military members (and their spouses) and civilians who work on Robins Air Force Base. They are currently preparing for a “Dinner la Blanc,” an event where guests wear all white to an event decorated in all white, and enjoy a nice dinner on the lawn. They’re putting together all these events to develop a community.
The Lewis’ have been stationed in Warner Robins multiple times. Now it’s the place they plan to retire.
“We came here because this is the best place we’ve lived, and we’ve been stationed at 12 different duty station,” Lewis said. “We knew when we met here that this was going to be home.”
After finally getting everything settled, the Lewis’ plan to hold a grand opening on June 8.
You can find La’Vino Wine Bar at 106 Kimberly Road, in Warner Robins. They’re open Tuesday through Thursday from 4 to 9 p.m., and on Fridays and Saturdays from 4 to 10 p.m. For more information, you can visit their website at lavinowinebar.com, and can keep up to date on their events on Facebook at “La’Vino Wine Bar.”
“Meet me at La’Vino’s,” Ebony Lewis said.
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