Drink Up! Black-Owned Wine In The World

Markell-Bani Fine Wines and Sparkling Beverages

In 2007, lifelong friends Greg (Markell) Lawrence and Sean (Bani) Yisrael founded Markell-Bani Fine Wines and Sparkling Beverages with the intent to impact their community legacy through entrepreneurship. Using Concord and Niagara grapes grown in Maryland, the pair created a flavor that they said would be a friendly introduction to African American wine drinkers, their primary audience. “Markell-Bani Wines (Aniyah Rouge and Demera Blanc) are known for their distinctive sweet flavor and amazing taste,” said Lawrence.