×

Bastress winery staying in the family

After running a successful winery for 14 years, Shawn Zimmerman is handing the keys to Bastress Mountain over to his 21-year-old son, Toby.

In 2001, Shawn, unhappy with his job as a prison guard, came home and started chopping down trees to make room for his dream.

The entrepreneur had been making wine for most of his life, just for fun.

“He used to ask for wine kits when he was a little kid. He was really into it,” Toby said.

So Shawn set out to do what he loves, and hopefully make a little money.

“One day he just started clearing out this place and said ‘hey I’m making a winery.’ And he did it. He’s a very ambitious guy,” Toby said.

The business, located at 5451 Route 654, has become quite popular, expanding to another winery, Elk Mountain, outlets and opened a distillery in 2013.

And they’ve been happy ever since.

Now Shawn and his wife are ready to retire and their son Toby, with event coordinator Melissa Daniels by his side, will continue the family business.

Toby said he’s been part of the business all his life.

“When this place opened I was in the first grade so I didn’t do much. But I used to put labels on bottles, and do other small things like that,” he said. “So I grew up with this business.”

While growing with Bastress Mountain, Toby watched his dad constantly, learning from him, not seeing the incredible opportunity that was waiting for him.

“I didn’t know what I wanted to do after graduation but after hearing my friends worry about jobs and money, I realized I had such a great opportunity here. Why would I want to pass this up,” Toby said. “I really enjoy doing this, how did I not realize it before?”

Now that he’s of legal age, Toby can officially become the new owner and his parents can get a well-deserved break.

Bastress Mountain sells about 35 different wines, the most popular of which, according to Daniels, is Jackass Red.

The winery offers white, red, sparkling, blush and fruit wines.

During the summer Six on the Beach, a blend of six different fruits – peach, mango, pineapple, passion fruit, grape and banana – is very popular as well.

Bastress Mountain Winery can do much more than get its customers drunk. It hosts weddings, receptions and parties in its newly remodeled banquet room, catering the events with meals Zimmerman and Daniels prepare themselves.

Toby will be taking over, he hopes, by the end of the summer.

The soon-to-be owner’s favorite thing about Bastress Mountain Winery is seeing people enjoy something he made. And if all goes according to plan, Toby will enjoy that rewarding feeling for many years to come.

NEWSLETTER

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *
   

Starting at $4.62/week.

Subscribe Today