Family Run Vineyard in the Uwharrie Mountains
Zimmerman Vineyards is a family-run winery in Trinity, NC, tucked into the Uwharrie Mountains of Randolph County — known for its flagstone terrace overlooking the vines, steel-fermented wines named for Greek mythology, and a tasting room built to look a lot older than it actually is. Opened in 2007 by the Zimmerman family, it was Randolph County’s first commercial vineyard, and it’s still run today by siblings Lauren, Shane, and Adriaan Zimmerman, along with Lauren’s spouse, Megan. From April through October, Songwriter Sundays bring live local music to the terrace, and the property doubles as a wedding and event venue.
Location | History | Amenities | Wines | Wine Club | Our Review | Photos & Videos | FAQs | Customer Reviews | Add Your Review
Location
Zimmerman Vineyards
1428 Tabernacle Church Rd,
Trinity, NC 27370
336-861-1414
Zimmerman Vineyards sits in Randolph County, which falls outside all of North Carolina’s official AVAs. The nearest, the Haw River Valley AVA, has a boundary that runs along the county line rather than into it, so while Zimmerman isn’t within a formal appellation, it’s planted right in the Uwharrie Mountains wine country that’s grown up around this part of the state.
History
Zimmerman Vineyards opened its doors on June 1, 2007, becoming Randolph County’s first commercial vineyard. The wine itself is made off-site, but it’s produced exclusively from grapes grown right there on the property.
The vineyard is family owned and operated, now managed by siblings Lauren, Shane, and Adriaan Zimmerman, along with Lauren’s spouse, Megan. Every wine label carries an image of Sisyphus, the Greek mythological king condemned to push a boulder uphill for eternity — the family’s way of mirroring their own long climb building the vineyard from scratch, with one key difference: their efforts were goal-driven, and they got to see the dream realized.
Amenities
- Pet-friendly terrace (leashed dogs, up to date on vaccines — not permitted inside the tasting room)
- Flagstone terrace with mountain and vineyard views
- Charcuterie boards (Goat Lady Dairy cheese, meat, crackers, grapes)
- Picnic-friendly during normal business hours
- Live music — Songwriter Sundays, April through October, 3–5pm
- Ticketed concerts throughout the season
- Local beer available (Goose & the Monkey)
- On-site wedding and private event venue
Wines
Best Known For:
Whites:
- Sisyphus (White) — a crisp, neutral Bordeaux Blanc-style blend with light acidity and lime or apple notes
- Persephone (White) — a blend of the estate’s white varieties, with citrus notes and a light, slightly sweet finish
Reds:
- Heir of Hypnos — a light-bodied, unoaked Bordeaux-style red blend, with cranberry and red cherry notes
- Sisyphus (Red) — a Bordeaux blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc
- Persephone (Red) — a semi-dry red of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and Merlot, best served chilled
Rosé:
- Rosé Rush — a light, effervescent rosé with citrus and red fruit notes and a dry finish
Dessert:
- Aegina — a dessert wine with tropical fruit notes, served chilled or at room temperature
All of Zimmerman’s wines are fermented in steel rather than oak, which is a big part of why the whole lineup drinks so light and easy.
Wine Club
We didn’t come across a shipping wine club during our visit — wine is sold by the bottle and by the case on-site, with a one-case minimum built into the wedding packages. If Zimmerman runs any kind of club or standing order for regulars, we haven’t confirmed the details. Ask during your visit and let us know in a review below.
Our Review
We stopped at Zimmerman Vineyards on September 5th, the same afternoon we visited Native Son Vineyard down the road, and it turned into the kind of visit where you lose track of time. We ended up closing the place down as their last customers of the day, and we regret nothing — except maybe not buying more of the Aegina.
The drive up into the Uwharrie Mountains has its own charm, and the tasting room looks like it’s been standing since the 1800s — weathered wood siding, an old barn silhouette, the whole look. Turns out that’s mostly for effect. The building isn’t actually that old; it was just built to feel that way, and it works.
Inside, the wood-paneled tasting room is covered in family photos, with old farming tools tucked into the pull-out drawers behind the bar — tools that belonged to the owner’s father and grandfather. We got to talking with the owner, who told us he grew up doing wine-making chores on the property every day and figured that’s just what everyone’s childhood looked like. That kind of multi-generational, this-is-just-normal-life story is exactly why we love these small family wineries.
One detail that stuck with us: the owner mentioned that Childress Vineyards lets Zimmerman use their production facilities to actually make the wine, since Zimmerman’s own operation is grapes-only on site. And according to him, most people who’ve tried both say they prefer Zimmerman’s wines. Having tasted through the lineup ourselves, we get it — every wine we tried was light, clean, and dangerously easy to drink, thanks to steel fermentation instead of oak.
If you lean sweet like we do, don’t skip the Aegina. We walked out with a bottle each of Persephone (white), Heir of Hypnos, Persephone (red), and Sisyphus, plus two bottles of Aegina — and we should have grabbed more.
The owner also told us something worth remembering: he figures 75% of a winery’s business comes down to having a great tasting room and a nice place to sit, not just the wine itself. Zimmerman nails that part. The flagstone terrace overlooks row after row of vines with the Uwharrie foothills stacked up behind them, and the sitting area is built right into the natural boulders on the property — wrought iron tables, umbrellas, string lights, and views that make you want to stay a lot longer than you planned. We did, and we had company: a sweet cat wandered up while we were sitting outside, rubbed against our leg, and basically invited herself to be petted.
We spent a good chunk of the afternoon talking with the owner, his wife, and their kids, and the whole visit felt genuinely lived-in rather than staged for tourists, even with that intentionally rustic building.
Who this winery is for: Fans of light, steel-fermented wines and lovers of anything on the sweeter side, anyone who wants mountain views with their tasting, dog owners who want the terrace along for the ride, and couples scouting a wedding venue with real charm and a manageable price tag.
Cheers,
Brendan
Photos & Videos
FAQs
What are Zimmerman Vineyards’ hours?
Saturday 12–6pm and Sunday 1–6pm, from March through November. They’re closed for winter break December through February.
Can I bring a picnic to Zimmerman Vineyards?
Yes, picnics are welcome during normal business hours. They also offer charcuterie boards on-site, featuring Goat Lady Dairy cheese, meat, crackers, and grapes.
Is Zimmerman Vineyards pet-friendly?
Pets are allowed on the terrace on a leash at all times, but not inside the tasting room, due to health department regulations. Pets must be up to date on all vaccines.
Can I bring outside alcohol?
No — outside alcohol is prohibited under ABC regulations, and Zimmerman reserves the right to inspect coolers on-site. If wine isn’t your thing, Goose & the Monkey beer is available.
What wines is Zimmerman Vineyards known for?
All steel-fermented and light-bodied: Rosé Rush, Sisyphus (in both white and red versions), Persephone (also in white and red), Heir of Hypnos, and the dessert wine Aegina.
Does Zimmerman Vineyards ship wine or have a wine club?
We didn’t confirm a shipping club during our visit — wine is sold by the bottle or case on-site. Ask when you visit and let us know what you find out in a review below.
Can I host a wedding at Zimmerman Vineyards?
Yes. Packages start at $3,800 for 14 hours of venue use plus 2 hours for rehearsal, up to 100 guests, with a minimum purchase of one case of wine. Included amenities cover bride and groom suites, wrought iron furniture, the flagstone terrace with permanent string lights, a 20′ x 40′ event tent, and one wine server.
Is Zimmerman Vineyards in a wine AVA?
No — Randolph County falls outside all of North Carolina’s official AVAs. The nearest, Haw River Valley, has a boundary that runs along the county line rather than through it.
Customer Reviews
New Customer Here - We Are Already Hooked
We’re fairly new to Firstleaf Wine, but after just four shipments, we’re completely hooked. Out of 24 bottles, only one didn’t quite hit the mark for our taste. We make a point to rate each wine consistently to help others in our palate profile get better recommendations.
Long Time Wine Club Member
I’ve been a member for more than a year now, and as someone living in North Carolina, this is hands down the best and most affordable way to get high-quality, delicious wines. The value easily beats any liquor store, even here in NC where prices are already lower thanks to favorable taxes. Back when I lived in California, I used to snag great deals at Grocery Outlet, but I’ve never found anything like that in North Carolina—until now.
My only gripe? Occasionally, the wine selections in your order get swapped out automatically, and you have to call customer service to manually add your original picks back into the cart just to confirm your order. That process could definitely be smoother.
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