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    Albemarle CiderWorks

    4.5 (77 reviews)
    ModerateCideries
    Closed 12:00 pm - 5:00 PM

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    One of the vintage apple varieties
    Christen M.

    This is the best cider in Virginia - dry and fresh and so delicious. They have a lovely tasting room and views can't be beat. The apples are grown on site and are all vintage varieties.

    a car parked in front of a building
    Melanie T.

    This was such an unexpected find! I heard VA was known for their ciders. Ciders are typically too sweet for my taste but Albermarle offers dry ciders. It was super crisp and refreshing, especially for a hot summer day! We had our dog with us, and they were super nice and let him come inside since it was so hot outside. They also have snacks for sale and live music.

    Heritage apples for sale and detailed information!
    Grace M.

    Southern hospitality. It's real! I missed the turn off 29 and had things to do but after a minute said ... "I'm going" and turned around. So glad I did! From the drive in passing a pond to the orchard and bucolic surroundings, this is a peaceful oasis with unique ciders, heritage apples, and welcoming staff. I was even offered a sample from an experimental batch -what fun! Sitting and enjoying a view and a refreshing tasting of ciders made for a truly picture perfect afternoon.

    Apples and cider,  yum!
    C M.

    Went with a friend for a day outdoors. This turned out to be such a wonderful day. I had never really had cider before, so cannot speak to it's taste compared to others, however, I liked all the flavors. Very dry, very champagne like, very refreshing. We were able to taste some of the apples, the owner came over and chatted with us for a bit. There was live music on the Sunday afternoon we were there. Will be going back soon. Support local business, give this place a try.

    Dry and sweet tasting
    Kathy T.

    Came here because it was open during an ice storm weekend. The people there were so nice and friendly! We don't prefer cider, but it was fun to taste through nevertheless. They specialize in dry ciders so if that's what you like, definitely go! 16 selections!

    Matthew F.

    This is Charlottesville's quintessential "artisanal" cidery. They use a wide variety of apples in their ciders, most of them made in a dry or off dry style. You won't find their ciders mixed with various flavoring ingredients (not that those are necessarily a bad thing). What you taste is directly from the apple. The tasting room was quite busy, even late in the day. Fortunately the tasting bar was empty, so I got lots of attention. I liked a lot of my samples, although the only one I really loved was the sour-ish "Cidermaker's Choice" made with Zabergau Reinette apples (which I'd never heard of till then). Sadly it was a one-off trial, but I hope they try it again. The Champaign-style "Brute d'Albermare" was pretty good too.

    This is Speck. The cidery dog. Also my bff.
    Sahar R.

    In my world, there are two types of hard cider. First, you have the farmhouse ciders, which is the champagne meets cider kind of cider. Then, you have the sweeter less fizzy ciders that are more mass marketed like Bold Rock, Woodchuck, etc. My tastes lie more with the farmhouse ciders which is what you will find here. Albemarle CiderWorks is a great place to bring a picnic and spend a day. This is one of my all time favorite places to hang out in when I'm close to Charlottesville. It is located on gorgeous farm lands. If you don't bring a picnic, no worries, you can pick up some salamis and cheeses from their fridge and grab a table. Now when you come in for a tasting ($6, it's a bargain), you'll get a list of six ciders to taste. At the time I was there the following were offered: Jupiter's Legacy, Red Hill, Ragged Mountain, Royal Pippin, Pomme Mary and Gold Rush. Because of the higher alcohol content of cider, I don't remember too much about each cider, but there were a few stand outs including: Jupiter's Legacy-this is the cider they hang their hat on. Super popular. Crisp and acidic with an 8.2% ABV. Royal Pippin- 8.5% ABV, and tastes like pineapple Pomme Mary-my favorite. Just the right amount of sweet and tastes tropically. Apparently pairs well with fried chicken. Just as a warning, you'll always end up bringing something home from here. The first time we visited they gave us two gallons of regular apple cider that had turned so it was not appropriate for children to consume. This last time we walked away with a bottle of Brut D'Albemarle for New Years Eve and the cidery dog Speck tried to come home with me in my car (it was hard to say "no", but I left him there).

    Such a nice outdoor place
    Ariel B.

    Came for a Yelp Elite tasting event and had a blast! The place itself is so beautiful and picturesque! The interior is just as nice as well. The event held here was so much fun! They gave us a variety of ciders to try which were all delicious! They provided lots of tasty snacks, and really created such an amazing atmosphere for everyone to socialize in and enjoy. Will try and come back just for a normal visit!

    Neal E.

    Albemarle CiderWorks is a fairly new family run business that has come on the scene in the last year. They are located in a gorgeous area along the eastern side of the Appalachians - with the leaves turning - makes for a perfect visit to a Cidery! Now I am going to lead off with the following statement - if you read this review and think you want to visit - Beware - most of you are used to commercially produced ciders that are very sweet. The ciders produced at Albemarle CiderWorks are nothing like commercial ciders. They are not sweet. Their ciders are crisp, tart, and light. If you cannot appreciate this kind of cider - you should probably go elsewhere. However, if you can appreciate other kinds of cider, and appreciate, bright, crisp, tart flavors - then by all means - visit and enjoy! Check out the history of cider on their web site - fascinating reading! Albemarle CiderWorks currently has three ciders available for tasting and purchase: Jupiter's Legacy, Royal Pippin, and Ragged Mountain. Their web site describes each cider thusly: Jupiter's Legacy: (price: $18 per bottle) is a fruity blend of classic American cider apples -- Harrison, Yates, Hyslop and Virginia Crab -- augmented with several dessert varieties. This dry cider is fresh, clean, bright and lively on the tongue. It pairs elegantly with traditional American cuisine -- pork and roast poultry -- as well as cheeses, pates and sausages. Royal Pippin (Price: $16 per bottle) is a fruity cider crafted entirely from Albemarle Pippins. It is a dry cider that has a champagne-like quality. It is an excellent accompaniment to many foods, and is a delightfully refreshing beverage on its own. Ragged Mountain (Price: $14 per bottle) is a cider blend of classic apple varieties -- Albemarle Pippin, Winesap, Black Twig, Grimes Golden and Stayman -- historically grown on and around the Ragged Mountains. This is a semi-dry cider crafted to please a wide range of palates. It is good with spicy foods and pairs well with sharp cheeses and fruits. The back of each bottle contains a label with interesting tidbits of information about the cider - it's history and such. I enjoyed all three ciders - and ended up buying a case to take home (12 bottles in a case - so 4 bottles of each cider). If you purchase a case, you get 10% off the cost of the cider. They have a small tasting area where you can sit and enjoy a glass of cider or two after your tasting. They also sell Albemarle CiderWorks polo shirts. In the barn next door, you can sample a wide variety of Apples and they are available to purchase. i will have to visit this place every year!

    Winter harvest pie
    Kenzie N.

    Such a great experience. Came for trivia on a Thursday for trivia and was back on Sunday. Staff is absolutely wonderful and so nice. Cider is yummy with several other food choices. Overall 10/10

    Cider flights
    Alea V.

    Really enjoyed my time here. I got both flights of cider but felt the premium had more unique flavors. Everyone who worked there was really nice and I learned it was family owned. Definitely worth the visit if you are a cider fan

    Storefront
    Christopher C.

    The tasting room and the surroundings of Albemarle are beautiful. But before you come the best review is still the one from Neal E. where he said: "Now I am going to lead off with the following statement - if you read this review and think you want to visit - Beware - most of you are used to commercially produced ciders that are very sweet. The ciders produced at Albemarle CiderWorks are nothing like commercial ciders. They are not sweet. Their ciders are crisp, tart, and light. If you cannot appreciate this kind of cider - you should probably go elsewhere. However, if you can appreciate other kinds of cider, and appreciate, bright, crisp, tart flavors - then by all means - visit and enjoy!" Four plus years later those words are still fact. This is not the land of Woodchuck, Angry Orchard or Strongbow. No, this is pretty much exactly the type of cider that the founding fathers enjoyed so much that guys like John Adams were hittin' the cider more or less from breakfast right through until bed. In terms of flavor, and I'm no cider expert so whatever on what follows next, Albemarle really doesn't sell anything that the average commercial cider drinking person would find to be "sweet". They call their Pomme Mary "sweet" but that's very much a misnomer because it's only sweet in comparison to something like the Jupiter's Legacy or the Arkansas Black which are both very, very tart-crisp-dry. Pretty much things go from dry to really, really dry and while that's not necessarily a bad thing, it would be like saying that your whole life you've only been taking Smith Brothers cough drops for a cold/sore throat and now you're going to switch to NyQuil. It's a shock to the palette. The choices are still the five cider tasting for $5 or the premium eight cider tasting for $8 with the option to take home the glass for $2. If a tasting is not your thing they also will sell you any of their ciders by the glass for $6 or a whole bottle for $16 and the by the case discount is still in effect. The only thing noteworthy about the tasting is to give yourself some time because if they get busy it really slows down in between ciders and when we came over Easter Weekend they were understaffed for the number of people present. We did the eight cider tasting and for us some were much better than others and we picked out a few for the road home. (Pomme Mary, Goldrush, Royal Pippin = Nice Arkansas Black = Like drinking dirty-bitter tub water) If you come the tasting room is open year round Wednesday-Sunday from 11-5.

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    Ask the Community - Albemarle CiderWorks

    Review Highlights - Albemarle CiderWorks

    Husband really enjoyed the cider (I am pregnant and don't drink anyway so I had a nice, refreshing Perrier drink on ice.

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    Pippin Hill Farm & Vineyards - Che de Charcuterie Board

    Pippin Hill Farm & Vineyards

    4.1(446 reviews)
    0.5 mi
    $$

    I decided to turn my Sunday into a mid-day siesta escape, heading to the mountains with my aunt and…read moregodmother to finally experience Pippin Hill Farm & Vineyards and let me tell you, it did not disappoint! Snow may have covered the ground, but between the stunning aesthetic, incredible wine, and delicious food, I am officially SOLD. This spot has earned a place in my top 5 wineries! From the moment we arrived, the hostess and waitstaff were attentive, welcoming, and full of recommendations. I went with a wine flight (because variety is a must!), and every pour was a hit. As for the food? We indulged in pasta, sliders, short-rib grilled cheese, truffle fries, and a charcuterie board everything was absolutely mouthwatering. We ate, we sipped, and we were very merry! I'm already counting down to a summer return so I can soak in those breathtaking mountain views from the patio.

    Pippin is poppin! One of the most gorgeous wineries in Virginia. The grounds were beautiful and…read moreeven though the hydrangeas were fading, it still looked pretty! The inside was spacious and comfortable. Loved the shiplap, the wood floors, the purse hooks on the bar, the patio with the stone and tile floor, the exposed beams, and the welcoming front entryway! We not only did the tasting, where one wine was better than the next; But the food was incredible as was the impeccable service! We did the red flight of wines, and I also had some rosé. We particularly favored the cannon red and the Cabernet franc. Our food was excellent; a the dishes they were served upon were lovely! My hubby got the roasted Brussels sprouts, my daughter chose the tomato basil soup, and we all shared a well designed charcuterie board! We left nary a morsel behind! The manager was so kind and generous, asking us to return and sharing the best times to come! He gave us some background information on the area and gave us a mini tour! This vineyard and farm is well worth visiting, making it a memorable destination!!

    Photos
    Pippin Hill Farm & Vineyards - Truffle Fries; Brussel Sprouts; Sliders

    Truffle Fries; Brussel Sprouts; Sliders

    Pippin Hill Farm & Vineyards - Private tasting room

    Private tasting room

    Pippin Hill Farm & Vineyards - Pippin winery

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    Pippin winery

    Castle Hill Cider - Event Space

    Castle Hill Cider

    4.0(105 reviews)
    21.3 mi
    $$

    My friend took me to this cute cidery when I was visiting Charlottesville in July…read more We parked in the grass lot and grabbed our drinks inside and went outside. The inside wasn't very decorated, and didn't have that many seats. It seemed a bit bare. I wanted to get the frozen drink, but they said they had run out. Outside had a few more seats, but our stay was cut short by some bees that were very interested in my drink, purse, and my friend's face. I might have to give it another try but it was just an average experience for me.

    I've never been here when the weather was nice enough to let us enjoy the full setting, which is…read morethe only reason its getting docked a star. There is very limited seating in the indoor wine bar--two small tables is just about it. If they don't have a wedding or other event, the large barn-like event space is open with seating, but its cool and drafty so if you're hiding from the weather it is not ideal. They have a very small food menu and offer a rotating menu of cider flights and cocktails. Generally, ciders are quite dry, not at all like angry orchard or redd's (for comparison). The cocktails are fun and creative. I loved having the option for a hot drink in late December. At some point, I'd love to be able to come when the weather is beautiful and can take advantage of their outdoor wine bar, fire pits, and view. Ample parking, though as you follow the road up to the winery, you move from gravel to packed dirt. Parking can get quite muddy as it is just grass/dirt, and there can be some deep tracks left from cars in previous weather. Definitely not a reason to skip this place, but something that we noticed as we were coming/going since we were in a very small car.

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    Castle Hill Cider - Outdoor (Event Space)

    Outdoor (Event Space)

    Castle Hill Cider - The inside room!!!

    The inside room!!!

    Castle Hill Cider - Yummmmy goodness

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    Yummmmy goodness

    Carter Mountain Orchard - Storefront

    Carter Mountain Orchard

    4.1(524 reviews)
    9.9 mi
    $

    In the fall, Carter's Mountain is packed with folks buying pumpkins, apple cider, apple cider…read moredonuts, cider, and wine. On a quiet week day in the spring, we were able to enjoy the steep drive up the mountain and the views that greeted us without lots of people and cars coming and going. You can still buy the cider, donuts, ice cream, and more. You also can relax and shop their very cute country store, which sells locally made jams, syrups, mixes, and other foods. They also have lovely dish towels and many other such gift items. We recommend going both in the fall to be part of the festivities as well as in the spring and summer.

    The products, service, and views from Carter Mountain Orchard are definitely worth stopping by for…read moreyear round. This was our second visit, but my first review. We had the amazing apple cider donuts and they are definitely memorable. We bought a dozen and my husband and I split them up evenly (6 each). I did a wine flight with 2 reds and 2 whites. I preferred the reds to the whites I tried. My husband had the cider and it was delicious. The weather was gorgeous to sit outside and take in the beautiful views of the Blue Ridge mts. We also purchased peaches, peach apple cider, dried apples, and other local, fresh products. We will definitely come back to try more wine, cider, and more donuts!

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    Carter Mountain Orchard - Medium Bag of Fuji Apples, Dozen Apple Cider Donuts, Hot Apple Cider, Apple Cider Slushee

    Medium Bag of Fuji Apples, Dozen Apple Cider Donuts, Hot Apple Cider, Apple Cider Slushee

    Carter Mountain Orchard - Peach wine slushie

    Peach wine slushie

    Carter Mountain Orchard

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    Blue Toad Hard Cider

    Blue Toad Hard Cider

    4.2(57 reviews)
    16.2 mi
    $$

    We are staying across the street in our RV at another brewery and we saw on yelp that there was a…read moreCidery close by and it turns out it was less than half a mile so we absolutely had to check it so we walked over. We are not sad that we did. This place is amazing. The cider is top notch and the barbecue is spot on. Definitely try the ribs and if you're a collard green fan, they are pretty fantastic. They're not like the collard greens in the deep south, but they got game. The cider is very well done!!!

    The Blue Toad Trip was the maiden voyage for my wife and me in our recently completed cargo…read moreconversion--and it set the bar high. The hosts were super communicative and easy to work with. The setting was exceptional: perched beside the cidery with a pasture stretching out nearby, it had that perfect mix of open space and laid-back charm. For a first outing, I don't have much to compare it to, but it's hard to imagine a better start. Connectivity was surprisingly excellent--we were pulling 5G UW, which felt like a small miracle and made everything easier. The location couldn't have been more convenient, with trails, venues, and restaurants all close at hand. The cidery itself offered around two dozen options, and the Imperial Peach quickly became our go-to libation. And yes, they've got a happy hour at the cidery--and you already know that's my favorite time of day. Within three miles, you've got IGA, the ABC store, and Beltie's, while Devil's Backbone sits right across the street. The on-site BBQ Beast delivered exactly what you'd hope for--no surprises, just solid, satisfying fare. We lucked into something special during our stay, landing right in the middle of a migration path. One morning alone brought the sights and sounds of over 25 bird species--nature putting on a full show. All told, it's a fantastic place to boondock. We enjoyed it enough to tack on an extra night, which says plenty. Here's hoping the rest of our adventures measure

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    Blue Toad Hard Cider
    Blue Toad Hard Cider
    Blue Toad Hard Cider

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    Albemarle CiderWorks - cideries - Updated May 2026

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