Hard Work Reaps Healthy Harvest for Asheboro Vineyard
amy-lynn albertson, business, cabernet franc, cabernet sauvignon, chardonnay, merlot, norm and leslie zimmerman, north carolina state university, tabernacle township, vineyard,
Starting and running a vineyard has grown into a family affair for Norm and Leslie Zimmerman and their five children.
The family purchased 102 acres in Tabernacle Township in 1987 just to “get away from it all‚ and to have a little buffer‚” Leslie Zimmerman says. “Bit by bit‚ we created a little haven out here.”
Eventually‚ they decided to try to make a living off of the land‚ and after much discussion‚ settled on the idea of starting a vineyard.
Neither of the Zimmermans had a background in viticulture – Norm studied biology and Leslie is a full-time Spanish and ESL teacher. But they have had help from horticulture experts at North Carolina State University and the state agriculture extension office.
“Our biggest challenge [in North Carolina] is our climate‚ because of high humidity and high temperatures‚” says Amy-Lynn Albertson‚ a cooperative extension agent. “But it’s a crop that can be grown‚ and it can be done well if a person is committed to and passionate about growing grapes and making wine. It definitely takes a committed grower‚ and the Zimmermans are very committed. They’ve been through a lot.”
After planting their first crop of grapes in 2001‚ they discovered the biggest challenge was keeping the fruit free of pests and diseases until the end of the growing season.
“A good wine starts with a good grape‚” Leslie Zimmerman says. “There’s been a tremendous amount of sweat equity‚ but each year the health of the grapes and the quality of the vines continues to improve.”
Zimmerman Vineyards plants five acres of French varietals‚ namely Chardonnay‚ Cabernet Sauvignon‚ Merlot‚ Viognier and Cabernet Franc. The vines are grafted onto native rootstock that is hardier and more resistant to disease‚ and their grapes are custom-crushed at nearby Childress Vineyards in Lexington.
Because alcohol sales are not permitted in Randolph County‚ the Zimmermans had to obtain a special zoning permit that will allow them to eventually offer tastings and sell wine at the vineyard.
The Zimmerman children‚ who range in age from 7 to 17 years‚ all pitch in‚ their mother says.
“We couldn’t have done it without them‚” she says. “I think they’re looking forward to when we can afford help!”
By starting a vineyard‚ the Zimmermans are joining in on a statewide trend‚ says Margot Knight‚ executive director of the North Carolina Wine and Grape Council.
With more than 50 vineyards now operating‚ the state ranks 10th nationally in grape production and 12th for wine production.
Story by Kim Daly
