Durham's first Black-owned winery opens in Southside Industrial Park

Durham's first Black-owned winery opened on Wednesday in the Southside Industrial Park of Durham.

The owner aims to pour inspiration into others while making fine wine more accessible to all.

“When they take a sip, we tell everyone you are uncorking the culture,” said Lashonda Modest, the owner of Melanated Wines & Spirits.

Modest was drawn to this industry because of the flavors, the tastes and the fruitfulness of life wine represents.

She said her "entrepreneurial spirit" helped cultivate Melanated Wines & Spirits. She began work on her business around two years ago, shattering glass ceilings.

“I don’t take it lightly," Modest said. "I do want other people to know that you can do it and we don’t have to put those limitations on ourselves. There are enough limitations in this world put on us."

That's also the meaning behind her motto —"Uncork the culture," — to pull back those layers of things holding you back.

“It’s very important that other Black women and people of color see me doing this and understand that is not too far-fetched.”

There was a point Modest didn’t believe herself, or that it was possible for her to open a winery. Financial problems, the global pandemic and now shipping and supply chain issues all stacked up against her dreams.

“It’s been a challenge because a lot of the resources that would typically be in place either people or any anything else has either been missing,” she said.

Her varietal blends are brining people together. With every sip, a new vision of community comes to life.

“Our hope is that everyone will be able to sit at a table and have a glass of Melanated Wine, regardless of your skin color, regardless of your social economics, and just enjoy," she said.

Her varietal blends are brining people together. With every sip, a new vision of community comes to life.

Modest envisions her business as a place where people will "have those hard conversations that some people are afraid to have."

You can also visit the tasting room at 4608 Industry Lane in Durham.