What started as an idea for an urban wine and cheese shop developed quickly into what you see at Urban Wren today. Born out of a love for food, wine and hospitality, Urban Wren comes to you from Don and Roberta Lincoln, along with their son, Nick. But it’s not their first rodeo, either—they got their start with two cafés (Trail Café and Grill and Locale Eatery) in Naples, Florida which is run by their daughter, Heather and fiancé Terrance (who by the way are both chefs) way before Urban Wren had hatched.
At Urban Wren, we’re more than a bunch of oenophiles going through the motions. We’re real pros—at wine, at food, and at unbelievable hospitality, and we pride ourselves on our creative takes and passion for great fare. Don’t believe us? Check out our backgrounds.
Who We Are
Nick Lincoln
When you visit, you’re sure to run into Nick, our Executive Director and CHG (that’s Chief Hospitality Guru). After graduating and first going into a career in manufacturing, Nick began to travel, and quickly realized he was missing something important—a passion for his own work. So, he traded in nine years in a corporate job for one selling wine.
Nick’s vision to bring wine country to the city of Greenville was born before anyone else could see it, and he chose Markley Station, one of Greenville’s up-and-coming neighborhoods, before it was even up and coming. That vision resulted in Urban Wren—a callback to urban talent and accessibility with a Southern flair and sense of place that makes you feel right at home.
A new Englander by birth, Nick is a Greenvillian by heart, and when he’s not preparing Urban Wren for the best experience you’ve ever had (each and every time) you might catch him taking in the outdoors or relaxing with his wife Haleigh at home.
Travis Giarratana
Your next experience at Urban Wren wouldn’t be possible without the hard work of Travis Giarratana, our Beverage Director. A huge Miami heat fan hailing from Delray Beach in South Florida, Travis ended up in Greenville when he went to college at Furman. From there, he has spent six years in the hospitality industry, most recently at Halls Chophouse, before coming to Urban Wren.
When you don’t see him at the restaurant, Travis loves being outside, especially if he is hiking or skiing and spending time with his family and friends. But if you do see him on your next visit, be sure to reach out and say hello.
Taylor Montgomery
Every wine deserves a great pairing, and if Urban Wren were a bottle, we’d say Taylor Montgomery was the best match we had. Our culinary genius and Executive Chef, Taylor may be new to Greenville, but not at all to the industry.
With a degree in culinary arts and a 16-year career in some of the top kitchens in North and South Carolina, Taylor most recently comes from the Mountain Air Country Club in Burnsville, NC, where he served as their Executive Chef. But why stop there? In 2018, he passed the rigorous Certified Executive Chef exam through the American Culinary Federation, along with the Certified Culinary Administrator in 2019. In 2020, he earned the title of World Certified Executive Chef, and is currently pursuing is Master Chef Certification. He has been awarded several gold medals in ACF-sanctioned competitions and was most recently chosen as the People’s Choice, “2020 Best Chef of the Carolina’s.”
When he’s not in the kitchen, he enjoys spending time with his wife and animals on their farm in Leicester, North Carolina. And if you’re lucky enough to stop by and catch him in the kitchen, you can be sure it’s gonna be a night you won’t forget.
