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La Fran Marks said he wants Chateau Bevvy to feel like home. Marks, a retired Army veteran from Fairfield, said he turned his winemaking hobby into a passion and looks forward to sharing it with others. The winery will open in April 2026 on First Avenue North in Bessemer. “My goal is to create an environment where individuals can come and enjoy nice quality, traditional wines, specifically Merlots, Chardonnays, Cabernets, all those traditional Old World wines, and they do that without having to make a long commute to another winery outside of Jefferson County,” Marks told AL.com. In 2020, less than 1% of the more than 10,000 wineries in the country were Black-owned, according Wine Business Analytics and The Association of African American Vintners. “Being Jefferson County’s first winery that’s coming to fruition, it is something significant. It is something that is worth noting, because there are only a handful of Black wine makers in the country,” Marks said. “I think that it showcases to a lot of people that a kid like me, from Fairfield, can travel, do some great things, serve their country and then come back and start a business. I think that says that anybody could do it. And that gives people hope. So I’m excited to be a part of that.” His story In 1990, Marks graduated from Fairfield High School, where he learned trades and how to work with his hands. In 1998, he earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from Miles College in Fairfield. Upon graduating, he left Birmingham to serve in the Army, and earned two master’s degrees, one from Troy University and another from the Army War College. During his 25 years of service, Marks traveled to Italy, France, Norway, Germany and Greece. “That’s where I got my exposure to wine, just traveling to different countries,” Marks said. “I started drinking wine, enjoying wine…I became excited about it.” He began making his own wines as a hobby and over time, his passions grew. “I tried with some grapes, and they didn’t turn out well my first couple of batches, but that’s part of the process, and I trust and believe in the process,” He reminisced. “Lo and behold, I found a niche for me and I’m pursuing it.” Thus his business was born. The winery The winery will be opening in a 120 year old Bessemer building that was once a saloon. Marks said he plans to maintain the historical feel of the building, using the original wood flooring as bar tops and showcasing the exposed brick walls. The renovations will be complete in December. As construction is done on the building, Marks is curating the space, thrifting vintage furniture and collecting unique wine glasses. “I want it to feel like you’re in your living room, enjoying a glass of wine,” Marks said. The urban winery has no vineyard, so Marks is outsourcing the juices from wineries from the East Coast all the way to Argentina. Marks will ferment, age and bottle the wine all in-house. The whole venture, Marks said, is self funded. “It’s been a labor of love, an uphill climb…But it’s been great,” Marks said. “I really want people to come and enjoy themselves and try some good wine, taste some good cheese and just enjoy a nice atmosphere where you can sit back, relax and think.”
