‘Boutique-style wine.’ New gathering spot opens in Warner Robins

A new spot to gather, relax and unwind with a glass of wine is now open in Warner Robins.

La’Vino Wine Bar at 106 South Kimberly Road off Russell Parkway celebrated its soft opening recently with specials on red and white wines, mimosas and wine slushies.

“I love it,” said Christian Campbell, who was enjoying a glass of Merlot at the soft opening event. “Nice and cozy — relaxed.”

Christian Campbell shares his thoughts on a new spot in Warner Robins, La’Vino Wine Bar, while enjoying a glass of Merlot.

Campbell, who moved to Houston, Texas, in 2010 but was back in town for a visit, said he heard about the new spot and wanted to stop in and check it out.

“We sell boutique-style wine,” said owner Ebony Lewis. “We don’t sell wine that you can buy in the grocery store.”

Labels include Bacchus, Charles Woodson’s Intercept, Osmote, Ugabe, Gregoris and Balea — to name a few.

Ebony Lewis, owner of La’Vino Wine Bar, talks with a customer.

Step inside

Stepping inside the new venue is a small bar with a few tall chairs. There’s a long thin table also with tall chairs on the opposite side of the room and against a large open window that faces South Kimberly Road.

A few smaller tables are in between and there’s a couch along a wall with four small, round tables as well as comfortable chairs.

La’Vino Wine Bar opens in Warner Robins.

The space also includes a small wine cellar. Wines may be purchased by the glass or by the bottle and recorked to take home, or people may stop in to pick up a bottle of wine to go.

La’Vino Wine Bar in Warner Robins has a small wine cellar. Wines may be purchased by the glass or bottle on site and recorked to take home, or people may drop in and pick up a bottle of wine to go.

The wine bar also offers wine slushies packaged to go as well.

In a side room that can be used for wine tasting and private events rests a couch with an artificial green grass background with “From La’Vino With Love” created for customers to take selfies.

A room that can be used for wine tasting and private events at La’Vino Wine Bar in Warner Robins includes a space created for customers to take selfies if they desire.

In that side room at the soft opening event, Yolanda and Aundray Barnes were selling a wide variety of candles that she makes, with a few to remain at the wine bar for sale. The candles may also be ordered through her online business, Datso Good Candles.

“She made the men’s scents for me because I like to wear cologne,” her husband noted.

Aundray and Yolanda Barnes selling her candles at La’Vino Wine Bar. The candles may also be ordered through her online business, Datso Good Candles.

Lewis said she’s planning a Wax and Wine event with her friend Yolanda at which participants can make candles while enjoying wine.

Lewis also offers specials throughout the week such as Teacher Thursdays and Salute the Troops Fridays.

She also plans to offer $25 wine tasting with Taurean Lennon, founder and CEO of The Urban Wine Room, on Friday nights.

A cousin, Tara Reese, makes the charcuterie boards for the wine bar and delivers them to the venue. The charcuterie boards rotate weekly.

La’Vino Wine Bar in Warner Robins offers a back porch where live music is expected to be offered Fridays and Saturdays.

Patio seating

The wine bar also offers seating on a back patio that’s partially covered and where live music is expected to be offered Friday and Saturday nights.

“If you dream of playing guitar, just call and we’ll set you up on the roster,” Lewis said.

Patio seating is also available on the deck in the front of the building, with Lewis working to encourage guests to actually enter the venue from the south side of the building via a privacy fence. She wants this entrance to serve as the main entrance instead of the front door.

A passion for wine

In opening La’Vino Wine Bar, Lewis said she wanted to bring “a little bit of California to Warner Robins.”

She developed a passion for wine while earlier stationed at Los Angeles Air Force Base in California where she enjoyed spending time with friends at wine bars and vineyards.

She’s retiring this month from the Air Force Reserve at Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling in Washington D.C. and holds a civilian job at Robins Air Force Base.

Owner Ebony Lewis, with the help of her husband, Marc, opens La’Vino Wine Bar in Warner Robins.

Lewis operates the venue with her husband, Marc, who’s active duty at RAFB, and joins her at the wine bar in the evenings.

The couple, who celebrated their 10th wedding anniversary in September and have five children between them, met at LongHorn Steakhouse in Warner Robins when she was in town for work.

Customers line up at the bar at a recent soft opening event at La’Vino Wine Bar in Warner Robins.

The soft opening event was well attended.

“People seem to love it,” Lewis said. “We’re seeing how much fun we can have pouring wine and slushies.

“It’s exciting. It’s new,” she added. “Come meet me at La’Vino’s.”

Hours are 4-9 Tuesday through Thursday, 3-10:30 Friday and noon-9 Saturday. The number will be 478-551-4850, or Lewis may be reached by email at lavinowinebar@gmail.com.