Albemarle Ciderworks is located on a gorgeous property near the Charlottesville area. My husband…read moreand I both liked the various ciders we sampled and service was prompt!

We came to the side on the last stop of a wine tasting adventure so at first, when I heard we were…read morecoming here I thought it sounded out of place. It ended up being my favorite stop the whole day. There was live music that reminded me of quaint little pub somewhere in Ireland. The folk music was awesome and engaging. The staff were really knowledgeable and walked us through the different Types of cider. Their selection of dry cider was awesome and I was super impressed. The grounds were just breathtaking and the Orchard area was dreamy. I would 1000% come back and I still think about this place even though we went tons of other spots on this trip.

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.

During our recent visit to Carter Mountain Orchard we skipped the apple‑picking portion, but the…read moreexperience was still well worth the trip. Views From the orchard's main patio, the panorama stretches across rolling hills, doted farms, and nearby towns. It was perfect fall view. Food The freshly baked donuts are a standout--light, fluffy, and lightly glazed with just enough sweetness to satisfy without overwhelming. The accompanying cookies are similarly delightful: crisp on the edges, chewy in the center, and speckled with bits of chocolate or oatmeal that ad texture. Both items are perfectly paired with a cup of hot cider. While the apple‑picking experience is a highlight for many, the combination of panoramic vistas, fresh donuts, and comforting cookies makes it a worthwhile destination even for those who prefer to stay on the ground. It's an ideal spot for a casual outing, a quick photo session, or a sweet snack break amid beautiful surroundings.

The seasonal options are awesome here every time we come and the service is exceptional!read more

Brandon was an amazing bartender!! Made the night worth the drive :) Veronika, Ian, and Leah made…read moreus feel so welcome!!

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.

Super fun place albeit loud when live music is going on. Lots & lots of seating, inside & out,…read moreprices aren't too bad (a flight of 4 generous tastings is $18, a carafe is $20, plus there is a good menu of food items), tall ceilings in a great old stone building, great views of Blue Ridge mountains, especially at sunset, great for kids to play outside, old hippies having the best time dancing & tapping to the music & staff is friendly & efficient as can be in a crowded venue. We look forward to coming back.

We went on a Sunday for music and some cider. We told the cashier we were first timers and ask for…read morerecommendations. She had none. Just told us to pick from the menu. So we picked two different flights to split and try a variety. A few we liked more than others but did not buy anything to avoid the unpleasant cashier. Ciders were fine. The space had a lot of seating.

THE BEST APPLE ORCARD EVER! I came here last year with my family and fiancé it is absolutely…read moreGORGEOUS and breathtaking full fields of all kinds of apples and other fruits and veggies and etc and absolutely amazing place and they have a store and beautiful venue. Plus they have a cute dog loves attention and amazing and magical place the staff are so friendly happy and sweet helpful and store is awesome it is amazing lots of stuff and tons of variety of goodies you can buy! Going in the fall it is so fun and relaxing perfect for all ages and families and friends family and definitely come in fall and or spring and summer and get lots of amazing experience and beautiful grown fresh fruits flowers and vegetables and products! Thank you so much for all ur hard work farmers you rock and we need to support all are local farmers and buy their foods and vegetables products and etc and it is GORGEOUS PLACE OF HEAVEN! I am coming here every year and picking fresh apples and etc and plus have fun and able so peaceful and fun and remarkable place. Thank you so much for all ur hard work farmers hope you get AWARD! You deserve it and blessings and angels and successful and positive and successful always and forever! Happy school day everyone!! From lauren

The people were lovely and welcoming. The hard cider tasting was great (and led to quite a bit of…read morecider purchases). We took some snacks and enjoyed a hard cider while enjoying the view. My sister, who uses a wheelchair, had no difficulty enjoying all that Showalter's had to offer. The apple cider donuts were hot off the fryer and we left with a delicious bushel,of apples. I cannot recommend this place enough!

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

Delicious crisp ciders with unique flavors and a light touch of sweetness. The ciders aren't sugary…read moresweet like Angry Orchard or Bold Rock but not dry like the ciders down south in Charlottesville. The tasting is a great deal and I believe it's $5 for 5 tastings and you can pay extra for more samples. There are no flights. The Off the Press cider with no added sugar was quite sweet on its own and my favorite! My hubby enjoyed the peach and Honey Ginger cider. The cinnamon spiced Wassail cider was tasty and perfect for the fall and comes in larger 16 oz cans (4 pack is $14) while some of the other flavors like the Honey Ginger and Peach ciders come in smaller, 12 oz cans (4 pack for $11). We bought 3 packs - Wassail, Honey Ginger, and Off the Press (Peach was sold out!) and devoured them within a week! I wasn't a big fan of the Strawberry and Blackberry ciders. There's outdoor seating to soak in the sweeping views of the Shenandoah hillside and the beautiful fields and pastures! The indoor seating is a bit cramped for only a dozen or so people. There's a small market next door that sells produce and meat. The food truck sold cider donuts and some hot food and drinks, I wish the donut was hot (it was stone cold!). Love the cider and will be back when we're in the area!

We were looking for a brewery for an early afternoon drink while on vacation. None were open, most…read morewould not open until after 4 during the week. So we opted for the hard cider. I am not a fan of the Meade or cider, but my wife was so we drove the gravel road to the Old Hill Hard Cider brewery and orchard, and the view was spectacular. High up on a hill looking down over the valley. As for the service, she was incredibly accommodating. We ordered a flight of ciders and chatted with her about the dry versus the sweet. In the end my wife found a wonderful option, the Virginia blackberry cider. She said it was her favorite. I had a Virginia tannin which I found matched a white Sauvignon blanc in some flavor, and was good for sipping in the shade on top the hill. Later we walked through the market, grabbed a 1/2 gallon of cider and pet the area dog before we headed out. I wish it was closer, but it deserved a 5 star for the cider.

Small food menu but delicious. Good variety on drinks. Service was OUTSTANDING! So friendly…read more Atmosphere was wonderful, even on a cold, rainy day when we couldn't go outside. We will be returning!

Scenery was wonderful! Very relaxing and peaceful. The bread basket was delicious! Ciders are…read morenot your typical ciders as they have no sugar added. Do not go in thinking it is your standard type of cider. Bartender was great!

Private tasting in the back room w/ Carol was amazing! Her wine knowledge served us well & the…read morewines were truly amazing.

Second stop of the day was King Family Vineyards, and the atmosphere here is tough to beat. They…read morereally lean into the polo and equestrian vibe--the gift shop is great, and the tasting room is filled with leather couches and plenty of rustic charm. I tried the Petit Verdot, which was an easy-drinking blend. While it was perfectly pleasant, it didn't quite blow me away compared to some of the other pours on this tour. However, what did blow me away were the views from the back patio. You get a stunning, pastoral mountain backdrop with horses in the paddock and cows on the hillside. It's close enough to enjoy the scenery, but far enough away that you don't get any of the "farm smells." To reset, I cleansed my palate with some wonderful Plaza De Espana fried marcona almonds and a Saratoga spring water--a high-quality snack pairing that matched the upscale feel of the property. If you're looking for a world-class view and a comfortable, high-end environment to relax in, this is the spot. Friendly and helpful service!