Michael Zimmer grew up on a farm, but after college, he spent 15 years in the Foreign Service. His work took him all over the world but he holds a special place in his heart for the Rhone Valley of France. While he wasn’t posted in France, he spent many a happy vacation there and while there, he developed an affinity for all the wonderful wines from the area.

In the late 90s, he moved back to the states, specifically to his grandfather’s farm. He was happy to be back on ancestral land, the farm dated back to 1894 and his family tended the land for over 150 years.

Michael longed to continue working the land, but he needed a crop that was economically feasible for the farm. Thinking about his love of the wines of the Rhone valley, he began to explore starting a vineyard. With a little helpful advice from Richard Childress, he was ready to begin planting in 2004.

The first two acres consisted of Viognier, Michael’s personal favorite. After, the first crop was a success; they went on to plant additional Rhône Valley varietals including Syrah, Petite Syrah and Roussanne.

In the vineyard, he found a way to make the land work. In honor of his grandfather, he named the vineyard Junius Lindsay. Michael loves the idea of creating a product that would bring him back to his roots.

Michael said in terms of winemaking “you better have passion otherwise you shouldn’t be in business”. Michael still has his day job and spends a lot of time juggling the responsibilities of the vineyard.

Busy season starts in Feb and it is non-stop from then but as Michael says, “Your passion gets you through“. To illustrate his point, he tells the story of the 2008 2nd Leaf Blend.

Now, 2nd Leaf Blend is an excellent wine, but it is a wine that almost wasn’t. As Michael explains, 2008 was a bad year for disease in the vineyard. So bad, in fact, that he didn’t expect the crop to amount to much. Still, he used the grapes that did survive and was very pleased with the wine.

Actually, he considers it one of their best. The Viogiers peach and apricot is enhanced by a hint of citrus and the taste of nutmeg comes out in the long finish. This wine pairs well seafood and spicy dishes.

Moving forward Michael wants to focus on more blends and less varietals. He is looking forward to lots of experimentation to find just the right blend. In addition, he is looking forward sharing his creations with guests in the tasting room.

The tasting room is housed in and underground cellar. The room is 1200 square feet and is a very cozy spot, seating only about 22 people. The candlelight adds a touch of romance; it is the perfect place to bring someone special. Consider visiting during February and March when they will host several winemaker dinners.

Along with winemaker dinners, the tasting room frequently has pairing demos and offers wine by the glass. It is also a perfect spot to have a bridal showers and small parties.

Junius Lindsay is proud to be part of the Southern Gateway Wine Trail. This tour includes stops at Junius Lindsay and two other wineries in Davidson County.