In the eighth episode of Founding Footprints: Tracing America’s Journey in Charlottesville & Albemarle County, we learn about apple propagation and cidermaking thanks to historian Charlotte Shelton, who is also CEO at Albemarle CiderWorks and Vintage Virginia Apples. The location of her family’s business in rural North Garden, and their decades-long effort to revive and share these almost-lost traditions means their impact is both hyperlocal and worldwide.
Cider is perhaps the drink most relevant to the Revolutionary era. Yes, even more so than tea. Cider was a staple of the daily diet in colonial America and the early years of the United States – across all ages and socioeconomic backgrounds. It allowed Patriots a level of independence from British imported products, as apples were one of the first crops planted by European settlers and orchards were widespread by the 18th century. The Cyder Act of 1763, meant to tax ciders in Britain, was highly unpopular and eventually unsuccessful when Britons rioted. This effective dissent inspired colonists to protest, boycott, and even pursue violence when Parliament attempted similar taxation in America, such as greater enforcement of the navigation acts and the Stamp and Quartering Acts of 1765. No taxation without representation!
We’ve put together an itinerary that helps you explore cider in Charlottesville and Albemarle County and how it can connect us with the past and communities of place, product, and purpose.
Listen to the Founding Footprints podcast HERE or on your favorite audio streaming platform.
In 1986, Rural Ridge Farm started as a retirement project for Mary and Bud Shelton, and a way to bring the generations together, including their children Charlotte, Chuck, Bill and Todd. With guidance from friend and celebrated pomologist Tom Burford, known internationally as “Professor Apple”, the Sheltons expanded their once-hobby orchard with dozens of heritage apples. Vintage Virginia Apples tree nursery opened in 2000, followed by the cidery in 2009. Today, the farm remains a family endeavor. The tree collection contains over 200 different varieties, and Albemarle CiderWorks shines as a leader of the modern cider industry in Virginia.
Experience cider for yourself at Albemarle CiderWorks’ welcoming tasting room set within the orchard. Taste ciders like Jupiter’s Legacy, named in honor of Jupiter Evans who led cider production at Monticello, and Royal Pippin. Both highlight the history of apples in the area. Try Ragged Mountain and Red Hill that take inspiration from the surrounding landscape.
Listen to live music by local artists – performing most weekends at CiderWorks – or chill out with your favorite read at the monthly Silent Book Club. Make plans to attend annual festivals like the Blossom Festival in April and Harvest Festival in early November. Farm-to-table dinners are hosted seasonally throughout the year. Check the cidery’s event page to see what’s happening soon!
Sustain the tradition by planting your own apple trees. The Virginia Vintage Apples catalog accepts orders from late November through March. Trees can be picked up in person or shipped. Learn grafting and pruning skills at hands-on workshops held in late autumn and winter.
Enjoy a scenic drive and stop at neighboring businesses like Pippin Hill Farm and Vineyard, Batesville Market, Eltzroth & Thompson Greenhouses, 92 Acres, Polly’s Folly, and Potter’s Craft Cider.
Albemarle CiderWorks regularly collaborates with Dark Skies, Bright Kids to help families reach for the stars through portable planetarium tours and the annual Star Party held each September.
Sep 19th
Albemarle CiderWorks
2545 Rural Ridge Ln
North Garden, Virginia 22959-1608
(434) 297-2326
Website
Reserve a “ticket” for public nights at the historic Leander McCormick Observatory at UVA. These free events are held every first and third Friday of the month (except holidays) and are bucket-list worthy for residents and visitors alike. Reservations open the first day of the preceding month, usually about noon.
North Garden and adjacent Covesville have served as centers for apple cultivation since the 1770s. These crossroads communities were established around churches, plantations, or mills, and grew along routes of settlement, trade, and transportation, including what is present-day Plank Road and Route 29, named Monacan Trail Road in recognition of the people indigenous to Central Virginia. The introduction of railways in the 19th century connected these villages and their agricultural bounty with the rest of the world. A whole apple industry took root! Thanks to the long growing season, Piedmont topography, and rich soil, apples continue to be an important food crop and a flourishing part of local life in Charlottesville and Albemarle County.
Take in stunning views and buy seasonal fruit at Carter Mountain Orchard and Chiles Peach Orchard. Or plan to pick your own. U-pick apple season lasts from late August into November. Both orchards grow peaches too, which are ready to eat between June and August. Tulip, strawberry, blueberry, and pumpkin seasons round out the year with Instagram-able opportunities to pick your own flowers or fruit.
Luckily, apple cider donuts are always in season! Carter Mountain and Chiles Orchards make delicious donuts and seasonal desserts like fresh pies and ice cream. The on-site farm markets also sell apple butter, jams, jellies, pickled condiments, and baking mixes. Expect to find gifts that celebrate a country lifestyle and make great souvenirs.
Whether you are looking to taste traditional wines or something slightly more fun, the Wine Shop at Carter Mountain offers estate wines, fruit wines, and wine slushies. Check out the Bold Rock Taproom, open April – December, for hard ciders made from apples grown at Carter Mountain.
Incorporate an orchard event into your travel plans, such as the popular Thursday Evening Sunset Series and Happy Birthday America celebration on July 4th – both at Carter Mountain Orchard – or Come Grow With Us children’s programming at Chiles Peach Orchard.
Applejack and Apple Brandy
Scottish immigrant William Laird started distilling apple-based spirits as early as 1698 in New Jersey. Admired by George Washington, Laird applejack was supplied to the Continental forces to raise morale during the grueling Battle of Monmouth in the hot summer of 1778, and cider and apple spirits were often used as payment and currency throughout the nation’s founding years. Still headquartered in New Jersey, Laird & Company has had a presence in North Garden since 1941 to take advantage of the apple culture of Central Virginia.
Try aged Laird & Company brandies at Birch & Bloom, Broadcloth, or Oakhart Social and Laird-inspired cocktails at The Nook and The Southern Crescent.
Eat at Beer Run, Firefly, Kardinal Hall, or Timberwood Tap House. All of which have great selections of hard ciders by bottle, can, or tap.
Do your part! Celebrate Virginia Cider Week, established in 2012 by joint resolution of the Virginia Senate and House of Delegates, by visiting Charlottesville and Albemarle County every November.
The cider Albemarle CiderWorks produces is wine made of apples, instead of grapes. Like wine, their ciders may be made with a single apple variety or a blend of apples. Brut d'Albemarle Harrison and Brut d’Albemarle Orchard Blush are made in the Méthode Traditionelle, meaning the cider goes through a second fermentation in the bottle, much like champagne. We developed the last leg of the itinerary with a nod to our French allies during the Revolutionary War and Francophiles everywhere.
Breakfast at Cou Cou Rachou, Marie-Bette Café & Bakery, or Belle. Indulge in sweet and savory pastries and hearty breads with a coffee or two.
Take a Highlights or Behind the Scenes Tour to learn more about Thomas Jefferson and how his role as Minister to France shaped customs and cuisine at Monticello. Allow time for a Slavery at Monticello guided tour to hear about enslaved families, such as the Grangers, including Ursula and George Sr., who were leaders of household and orchard management.
Grab a bite at the Monticello Café and stop at the Monticello shop. Purchase bottles of Orchard Select Cider, crafted by Castle Hill Cider with a blend of apples from Monticello and the historic Castle Hill estate where the Albemarle Pippin was first propagated. Non-alcohol cider is also available.
Spend the afternoon at Eastwood Farm and Winery and Trump Winery, which are known for award-winning wines and make cider.
In a December 1824 letter, statesman Daniel Webster wrote of Thomas Jefferson, “He enjoys his dinner well, taking with meat a large proportion of vegetables ... Dinner is served in half Virginian, half French style, in good taste & abundance.”.
Dine at The 1799 Restaurant at The Clifton, C and O Restaurant, Bizou, or Marigold at Keswick where locally sourced ingredients, American foodways, and French cooking techniques take center stage.
Use A Francophile's Guide to Charlottesville and Albemarle County for more ideas.
Virginia is for History Lovers. Listen to all 10 episodes of Founding Footprints and make your travel plans now. Charlottesville and Albemarle County offer a variety of places to stay including resorts, inns, B&Bs, hotels, and vacation rentals – so you can book the lodging that aligns with your travel preferences.
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