Open: Year Round
Zimmerman Vineyards was established in 2001 but the land on which it sits has much deeper roots.
The land was purchased in 1987 from Annie Smith Dewar. Annie had received the land in 1951 as a dowry from her parents, descendents of Noah Briles. Noah had received the parcel of land from his father, John Briles in 1826. The land was part of a 437 acre parcel that John bought in two pieces in 1801 from John Hoover Sr. and Andrew Hoover, predecessors of Herbert Hoover.
A Structure in 1987
Many different agricultural endeavors were researched but it was a chance visit from the daughter of a family friend that helped narrow the search. The visitor was a horticultural student at NC State traveling with her classmates to visit Westbend Vineyards in Lewisville. The visit lead to a new beginning - the establishment of Zimmerman Vineyards. With the hope that a plant would bear fruit, 1700 vinifera wine-grape vines were planted in the spring of 2001. One year later, an additional 1800 vines defined a second vineyard. After three years of nurturing, the vines produced their first harvest.
Zimmerman Vineyards LLC opened its doors to the public on June 1, 2007 becoming Randolph County's first commercial vineyard. While the wine is made off premises it is produced exclusively from grapes grown on site. The opening marked the culmination of a twenty-year quest to "live off the land" for Norm and Leslie and their family.
The Property in 2008
While the five Zimmerman children may not agree that it has been a labor of love, it has indeed been the case. So far, so good. Zimmerman Vineyards looks forward to future growth with additional plantings and a winery.
