Drink A Bull Opens Winery Tasting Room in Durham
The Zimmerman family preserves historical winemaking traditions in a new Markham Avenue location.
Updated on Oct. 30, 2026 in Wine
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In June 2026, the Zimmerman family opened the Drink A Bull winery tasting room and tea house on Markham Avenue in Durham. This new space aims to preserve the local winemaking tradition first established by the Bernard family in the early 20th century.
Why it matters
The business was established to carry on a historic winemaking lineage that dates back to the migration of Waldensians to North Carolina in 1893. By reviving these techniques, the owners seek to maintain a cultural practice that was nearly lost during mid-century prohibition efforts.
The winery produces various fruit wines using ingredients like apples, peaches, and blackberries. To ensure quality, the facility utilizes stainless steel cans to prevent light exposure.
The players
Andrew and Allison Zimmerman
They are the founders of Drink A Bull who acquired the broader family business in 2021 to continue the winery lineage.
Eddie and Brenda Zimmerman
They acquired the historic wine business in 2008 before it was re-established as the current iteration.
The details
Founded by Andrew and Allison Zimmerman in 2021 as a separate venture, the business continues a family legacy that began when Mellie C. Bernard opened the original winery in 1933. Production is managed at a facility on Holloway Street, distinct from the new Markham Avenue tasting room.
Timeline
Waldensians immigrated to Valdese, North Carolina, in 1893.
Mellie C. Bernard founded the original winery in 1933.
The original winery closed in 1948 due to prohibition action.
Drink A Bull opened its tasting room in June 2026.
Culture Shift
This opening represents a resurgence of interest in local agricultural heritage and the preservation of historical craft techniques. The winery aligns with a broader societal shift toward honoring regional origins and traditional methods in artisanal production.
Residents can now visit the new Markham Avenue tasting room to experience fruit wines produced at the Holloway Street facility. This addition provides a local venue for those interested in supporting historic preservation through consumer choices.
The takeaway
Preserving historical craft requires a blend of traditional methods and modern storage techniques to ensure longevity. Visitors can support this heritage by sampling regional fruit wines that honor the deep historical roots of the area.
Further reading
Discover more about the local industry in the Wine section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by 9th Street Journal.
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