MEMBER FOCUS: Lance Lemon & Kristen Gardner Beal, Founders of RichWine
“RichWine was born out of a passion for sustainably-produced wines. We focus on clean farming practice. We focus on vineyard relationship and producer. We like unique. We like off-the-beaten path,” says Lance Lemon, co-founder of Richmond’s boutique online wine shop. Kristen Gardner Beal, also a co-founder, adds another abiding principle of their business: “We aim to reduce the stereotype of wine being hoity-toity or inaccessible. Everyone can be part of this; there is a wine for every person, every price point, and every palate.”
Lifelong friends and wine virtuosos, Lance and Kristen launched RichWine in September of 2019 to share their love of natural, biodynamic, and organic wines that don’t break the bank but can be enjoyed by anyone and everyone. While living in Brooklyn, the two formulated a business plan to open a turnkey brick-and-mortar shop and looked around at commercial real estate in both New York and Virginia, where they are from. When Lance and his family received the opportunity to buy a house in Richmond, he moved back, and the two ultimately decided to open RichWine in their home city, initially operating out of Urban Hang Suite— a social café owned by Lance’s sister and Common House member, Kelli Lemon.
Then COVID hit, and like most businesses, Kristen and Lance moved to an online platform. “Even though there is a pandemic, we can still get wine to people. We’ve gotten to know the faces and people we are driving wine to. We get to know their tastes and what they like,” Kristen says. They offer contactless delivery, state-wide shipping, and curbside pickup out of their headquarters (2601 Maury Street, building 2), with an option to subscribe to their weekly or monthly curated wine services.
Lance notes, “A mentor of mine often says that curating wine is like playing a game of chess. Everyone has their own preferences, so you’re constantly trying to strike that balance between different regions and producers. A lot of it is trial and error but that’s part of the fun.” Their virtual tastings have been a way to get to know their customers and their personal tastes on a deeper level. In the coming weeks, Kristen and Lance will be joining forces with Common House Richmond’s Beverage Team to host a wine dinner to introduce members and guests to unique varieties from around the world that are sustainably-produced and carefully chosen to accompany their meals. (Stay in the loop: Goings On.)
The community element of wine has fueled their love for the vine over the years. Both Kristen and Lance are UVA alumni, and Kristen states how exploring Charlottesville’s many vineyards first sparked her interest in wine and wine culture. “You have people, food, and drink all combined together against a beautiful backdrop. It’s all my favorite things in one place.” Shortly after graduating, she began her career in global investment banking. When Kristen isn’t working, she enjoys international travel to explore famed wine regions like Bordeaux and Stellenbosch.
Lance’s journey to wine began while working as an actor in New York City. The Mechanicsville native has been interested in theater since a young age, and performed in John Grisham's 2004 film Mickey with Harry Connick Jr. While studying cinematography at UVA, his devotion to acting grew and he began taking on more extensive roles. In 2013, Lance moved to the Big Apple. In between auditions and rehearsals, he bartended at ABC Cocina and sold wine for Frederick Wildman & Sons, which eventually paved the way for him help open and manage two illustrious wine shops in Bed-Stuy: Wine-O and Liquid Assets. The more he learned about wine, the deeper his love for it grew and he has since completed his WSET Level 2. As Lance continues to light up the screen and stage, he’s excited to share his knowledge and passion for wine at RichWine.
“We are super thankful for the community for their support. We opened our business during one of the four busiest months of the wine season, and they’ve helped lift us up,” says Kristen. Lance affirms his gratitude, too, as well as his hope for the wine world becoming more diverse across demographics. “There’s not much when it comes to Black winemakers, Black vineyard owners, Black Sommeliers, and Black wine shop owners. That’s growing, though. I really appreciate where it’s going and where it could go.” At RichWine, Lance and Kristen bring their own expertise, backgrounds, and personalities to make wine relatable and accessible. They say how wine doesn’t have to be a pinky-high thing. It is a way to connect and commune, even as we continue to be six feet apart.
For more information on their services and hours of operation, check out their website or Instagram page. And stay tuned for upcoming wine collaborations at Common House Richmond.