Nikki Riddle, Winemaker and Owner

Nikki Riddle has winemaking in her blood. She got the itch after working in the vineyards with her aunt and uncle, owners of Spout Spring Estates Winery and Vineyard, and competing as an amateur winemaker. After completing her degree in Biomedical Engineering at Vanderbilt University, she worked in the health care industry before leaving for a job as assistant winemaker at Beachaven Vineyards and Winery. There, she met her fiancé, Michael Coombs, the Master Winemaker. While at Beachaven, she completed an additional undergraduate degree in Enology (the science of winemaking) at Missouri State, and began planning The Winery at Seven Springs Farm. With state-of-the-art laboratory, tank room, and equipment, this team has crafted some of Tennessee’s best wines for you to enjoy. The winery is on her family’s 370 acre farm-to-table complex in historic Maynardville.

B.E. Biomedical Engineering at Vanderbilt University

A.S. Enology (the science of winemaking) at Missouri State

Personally, Nikki enjoys hiking, cooking, and learning all she can about wine and the different wine regions. Nikki’s favorite wine is her Farmhouse White, a fruit-forward dry white.

Michael Coombs, Master Winemaker

Michael is the Master Winemaker at Beachaven Vineyard and Winery in Clarksville, Tennessee, where he was born and raised. Fiancé to Winemaker Nikki Riddle, he currently serves as consulting Master Winemaker at The Winery at Seven Springs Farm. He plans to join Nikki at The Winery at Seven Springs Farm at some point in the future.

Professional Background

In 2004, Michael started working at Beachaven on the bottling line part-time. He quickly learned the trade and developed his winemaking skills by learning and gaining hands-on field experience from commercial winemakers, attending professional wine conferences and technical courses along with other formal studies at Austin Peay State University. Through hard work and skill, Michael achieved the distinction of Master Winemaker at Beachaven and has served that role since 2010.

During Michael’s tenure, Beachaven has garnered over 150 gold and silver medals in various national and international wine competitions. Personally, Michael received the following distinctions:

2012 Tennessee Winemaker of the Year

2012 Wines of the South Winemaker of the Year, garnering two double gold medals

2012 William O Beach Award for best wine made in Tennessee from 100% TN grown grapes

Personally, Michael enjoys riding off-road vehicles and boating. Michael’s favorite wine is our James’s Peach.