Family-grown, sustainably farmed wines - Nice Winery
Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in food and beverage but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Ryan Levy founder of Nice Winery, located in Houston, TX.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
Nice Winery and Wine Club is focused on producing family-grown, sustainably farmed wines. We have created the first-of-its-kind wine and culinary education center in Houston featuring classes, guided educational tasting experiences, and urban farm tours. Giving back to the community is a cornerstone of our Winery and the focus of our acclaimed Charity Wines series.
Tell us about yourself
A winemaker by profession, Ryan Levy is also an accomplished Chef and Certified Sommelier with the Court of Master Sommeliers. He trained in France at Le Cordon Bleu, in California in the UC Davis Winemaking Program, and with Master Sommeliers and star winemakers in Napa. He began creating his first wines in 2007 under his label, Nice. A native Houstonian, Ryan graduated with honors from Rice University and earned his Doctor of Jurisprudence from the University of Texas School of Law. Ryan calls himself a "recovering" attorney- since leaving the practice of law he co-owned the restaurant "Republic" in Dallas with Le Cordon Bleu classmate and fellow winemaker Ian Eastveld and now makes organic and sustainably grown wine, teaches wine classes, and leads culinary classes at Nice Winery's Houston headquarters. In 2019, he created and planted the first commercial winegrowing vineyard inside the city limits of Houston. Nice Winery is now home to a modern organic apiary, organic vegetable and herb gardens, and a sustainably farmed vineyard. It boasts a state-of-the-art kitchen and production facility that has become the epicenter of wine and culinary education in Houston.
His wines have won top honors in the massive Houston Rodeo International Wine Competition including Best in Show, and that bottle was auctioned off for $140,000 for charity. His wines have received 94 point ratings and acclaim from both Wine Enthusiast Magazine and the Beverage Testing Institute. Ryan crafts 30 wines from sustainably farmed, family-owned vineyards in Texas, California, Argentina, and Washington state.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
Ryan's commitment to giving back includes serving on multiple foundation boards and raising over $1M for local charitable causes through his winery's extensive philanthropic initiatives.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
Maintaining a culture that is more like a family than a business is a focus for us as we grow as a winery.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
1. Do what you love.
2. Give back every day.
3. Practice gratitude.
Is there anything else you'd like to share?
The best way to experience Nice Winery is to book a Premium Guided Wine Tasting Experience with Chef's Pairings, fun and educational tasting of six of our highly rated, premium wines. Tastings are led by one of our knowledgeable winery team members. Wines are served with 6 Chef-crafted accompaniments, specific to each wine. This tasting also includes a short tour of the winery. Advance ticket purchase is required.
Where can people find you and your business?
https://www.instagram.com/thenicewinery/
https://www.facebook.com/nicewines
If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solopreneur that you'd like to share, then email community@subkit.com; we'd love to feature your journey on these pages.
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