Shearone Lewis is now present in every wine-growing region in the United States and the majority of wine regions worldwide because to its quickly expanding wine business. She is still a mainstay of the Almeda business area (Third Ward) in Houston, nevertheless.
Lewis is the owner of the upmarket wine bar UnWine on Almeda (4420 Almeda Rd., Houston 77004), which serves craft beer, housemade sangria, mimosas, and light appetizers. However, she started off as an employee before becoming an entrepreneur.
ROAD TO OWNERSHIP
Local businessman Lawrence McQueen built UnWine in 2014 on the site of the former well-known G s & Z’s. Lewis helped UnWine create their wine list as their event coordinator and wine shepherd (sommelier). Lewis had spent years studying and experimenting with wine as well as working in the field prior to her chat with McQueen.
Despite Lewis’s one and a half-year absence, McQueen and his colleagues were aware of the gifts Lewis contributed. Additionally, McQueen approached her with an alternative idea after she returned to Houston.
I received a call from Mr. McQueen asking if I was still interested in buying UnWine. Lewis, who ultimately took the question seriously, remarked, “I had never said that to him, so I had no idea what he was talking about.”
On Juneteenth of 2019, she reopened UnWine as its owner and changed its name to UnWine on Almeda after working there for a few years.
MEANT TO BE
However, Lewis really grew up in New Orleans, where she was first exposed to the world of wine as a youngster.
We didn’t have computers or the internet when I was growing up. I simply read constantly, learnt about wine from encyclopedias, and worked in a family restaurant. It was merely a means for me to put some cash in my pocket. I never imagined it would get this bad. “It wasn’t my plan,” Lewis, a college business student, said.
However she lived and what she did for a living, wine was always a part of her.
Regardless of where I worked or what I did, I always dabbled in the field since it was always enjoyable and a fantastic opportunity to make additional money. I just kept studying. In 2001, I retired from UPS and returned to full-time dabbling in the food and beverage and restaurant industries.
I would occasionally pursue other endeavors, but I consistently returned to the food and beverage sector. After that, in 2009, I returned to Houston to help my mother, who was losing my stepfather. “What can I do to be available for them?” I asked. This is how I returned to UnWine. I simply love wine, and since there is wine all around the world, it’s a fantastic opportunity to travel.
COMMUNITY FIXTURE
Lewis quickly restored her reputation in the Houston neighborhood after moving back home, as her grandmother’s house, which was her initial residence, is only two blocks from her place of employment.
According to educator, yoga instructor, and UnWine employee Aisha Shahid, Shearone Lewis has been in business for the past 11 years because of her dedication to maintaining a standard of elegance, sophistication, and community-focused experience. She has drawn notice for her dedication to establishing a welcoming environment where guests may partake in wine education and tastings.
In addition to being a person that people tend to like, Lewis’s dedication to helping and advancing local business owners, those in the wine industry, the arts, retail, etc., is part of her attractiveness.
Working with Wayne Luckett and his son Warren of Branwar Wine Distributing Co., Lewis has established himself as the go-to guy for local Black wine producers looking to market their goods.
“Shearone’s extensive wine knowledge has always impressed me,” Luckett stated. Her wine knowledge is impeccable, as she is a professional sommelier.
In addition to her business sense, she is passionate about giving back to the community by organizing wine tasting parties and introducing local wine enthusiasts to new wines.
Despite seeing the significant change in the community’s demographics, Lewis and her neighbors are dedicated to preserving the area’s traditional character.
I believe that those of us present are still holding out hope that we can preserve and bring that back to life. We do all of the things I’m interested in here in the community. We do not wish to relocate permanently. There is a thread that ties us all together even though we visit and learn.
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