Have you ever met a guy who sells wine like he’s writing a novel, one vintage at a time?
That’s exactly what Bryan Eisenberg served up in the latest episode of Rock Solid, the Round Rock Business Leaders podcast. His guest? Zahir Walji. Yes, with a Z. And yes, the wine guy everybody in town’s talking about.
Now, most folks in Round Rock might know Zahir as “the wine guru” from the Round Rock Wine Merchant. But after listening to this episode, you realize that title barely scratches the surface. He’s not just a guy who sells wine. He’s a guy who has lived it. From real estate to retail. From financial advising to French Bordeaux. Zahir’s journey is one long pour of persistence, curiosity, and guts.
He didn’t start with a dream of swirling glasses and describing tannins. He started with a convenience store. Built it. Ran it. Then sold off the parts he didn’t love and kept the part he did. The wine bar. That’s where his story gets interesting.
Because in a city that’s not exactly known for fine wine, Zahir decided to change the game.
No shortcuts. No gimmicks. Just education. Storytelling. And a palate so trained he’s become Central Texas’ unofficial authority on Bordeaux. He hand-sells every bottle. Hosts tastings. Runs a wine club. Advises top-tier restaurants. And he’s got the largest collection of good Bordeaux in the area. That’s not an accident. That’s discipline.
And it turns out, Round Rock is responding.
What stood out in this episode was Zahir’s unapologetic honesty about building a business around something most locals didn’t even know they wanted. He talked about the uphill battle of cultivating a market that didn’t exist. The long nights. The empty rooms. The awkward tastings where no one showed up. But he also talked about how one good bottle shared with the right person changed everything.
Zahir is building more than a business. He’s creating culture. He’s elevating taste. And he’s doing it the hard way. He shows up every day and delivers something unforgettable.
The best part? He’s approachable. You’ve got a random wine question? Text him. No pressure to buy. No pitch. Just help.
This episode of Rock Solid is a masterclass in how local business owners can create loyal followings by being deeply knowledgeable, genuinely helpful, and proudly untraditional. If you think Round Rock is just big box stores and fast casual joints, think again.
And if you don’t drink wine, you’ll still want to listen. Because this conversation isn’t really about wine.
It’s about showing up. Knowing your stuff. And being brave enough to build the thing no one asked for. Then watching everyone end up loving it.
Listen to the episode. You’ll leave smarter, hungrier, and maybe a little thirsty.
Find it on your favorite podcast app or head to Round Rock Studio to see where the stories get recorded.
