Albemarle CiderWorks What started as an orchard for rare and heirloom apples became a popular area cidery that celebrated its 10th anniversary in 2019. 2550 Rural Ridge Ln., North Garden. 297-2326. Blue Mountain Brewery Popular brewery with great mountain views from a big patio serves drafts, plus light fare for lunch and dinner. 9519 Critzers Shop Rd., Afton. (540) 456-8020. Blue Toad Hard Cider A gravel driveway leads through pastures to the tasting room in a secluded creekside bungalow with picnic tables and Adirondack chairs outside on the lawn and patio. Inside, delicious small-batch ciders are served. 462 Winery Ln., Roseland. 760-9200 Bold Rock Cidery Virginia’s largest cidery features a cavernous tasting room with a pub menu and patio seating. The more intimate Barrel Barn has limited-run and experimental ciders. 1020 Rockfish Valley Hwy., Nellysford. 361-1030. Brewing Tree Beer Company Artisanal Brew Trail spot from the founder of Starr Hill. 9278 Rockfish Valley Hwy., Afton. (540) 381-0990. Bryant's Small Batch Cider Craft cider produced on an out-of-the-way 150-year-old farm, plus food and entertainment with indoor and outdoor seating. 3224 E. Branch Loop, Roseland. (804) 420-9683. Castle Hill Cider Enjoy a glass of Terrestrial on the octagonal porch or explore the meticulously groomed grounds. 6065 Turkey Sag Rd., Keswick. 296-0047. Champion Brewing Company Beer-focused kitchen offerings complement a steady rotation of seasonal brews and Champion’s go-to labels, Missile IPA and Shower Beer. 324 Sixth St. SE. 295-2739.
Champion Grill New in December 2019, the microbrew/sports bar/pub offshoot of Champion Brewing Company. The Shops at Stonefield. 202-1076. Decipher Brewing Owned and operated by U.S. military service members (three retired Navy, one active-duty Air Force), this warehouse-space beer hall opened in 2019 to good early reviews. 1740 Broadway St., 995-5777. Devils Backbone Brewing Company Nelson County’s expansive compound, with multiple outbuildings, outdoor seating around fire pits, and a busy pub. Chef Dale Ford, formerly of Boar’s Head Resort, took over the food operations in December. 200 Mosbys Run, Roseland. 361-1001. James River Brewing Co. Small-batch brewery and tasting room in 19th-century brick warehouse. 561 Valley St., Scottsville. 286-7837. North American Sake Brewery Wash down your dumplings and lamb ribs with a flight of sake. 522 Second St. SE. 767-8105. Potter’s Craft Cider Handcrafted cider out of Free Union, with a spectacular tasting room in a renovated stone Episcopal chapel and mission house. 1350 Arrowhead Valley Rd. 244-2767. Pro Re Nata Brewery A farm brewery and food truck offering up to 12 craft beers and live music. 6135 Rockfish Gap Tpke., Crozet. 823-4878.
SPOTLIGHT
White Hall Vineyards Back when I had a side hustle as a winery tour driver, customers sometimes asked me to choose our next place to visit on the fly. If we were near Crozet, I invariably headed to White Hall Vineyards, which is out of the way and offers a feeling of discovery. You approach on a gravel driveway that threads through some of the 48 acres of vines under cultivation, pass through an opening in the hedge, and enter a compound shaded by tall oaks. The Italianate building has a luminous burnt sienna coloring. Along the front, a wide green canopy of wisteria tops a sturdy pergola. Three Notch’d Craft Kitchen & Brewery Craft beers and beer-infused pub food. 520 Second St. SE. 956-3141. Wild Wolf Brewing Company An outdoor “biergarten,” robust menu, and up to 12 brews on tap. 2461 Rockfish Valley Hwy., Nellysford. 361-0088. 313 Second St. SE, 284-5220. Wood Ridge Farm Brewery “From the dirt to the glass” brewery keeps it hyperlocal with most ingredients grown on-site; nice little pub menu, too. 165 Old Ridge Rd., Lovingston. 422-6225.
Distilleries Devils Backbone Distilling Co. Molasses-andsugar-cane rum, aromatic gin, fine brandy, and more. 35 Mosbys Run, Roseland. (540) 602-6018. Ragged Branch Distillery Virginia straight bourbon whiskey with views of Ragged Mountain. 1075 Taylors Gap Rd. 244-2600. Silverback Distillery Rye whiskey, monkey gin, and Beringei vodka. 9374 Rockfish Valley Hwy., Afton. (540) 456-7070. Spirit Lab Distilling Single-malt whiskey, gin, brandy, and more from a husband-and-wife team in a cool little warehouse distilling studio. 1503 Sixth St. SE. 218-2605. Virginia Distillery Co. Single-malt whiskey from the Blue Ridge. 299 Eades Ln., Lovingston. 285-2900.
Random Row Brewing Co. Nearly 12 beers on tap in this sweet spot a stone’s throw from Kardinal Hall. 608 Preston Ave. 284-8466.
Vitae Spirits Award-winning spirits and craft cocktails in a hip spot. 715 Henry Ave. 270-0317.
Reason Beer A 30-barrel production facility, plus a tasting room with rotating craft brew on tap. 1180 Seminole Trail, Suite 290. 260-0145.
Wineries
Rockfish Brewing Company One-man startup opened in fall 2019 with a DIY feel and friendly vibe; shares space with Fifth Season Gardening nursery and garden center. 900 Preston Ave. 566-9783 South Street Brewery Brews and food from the folks at Blue Mountain. 106 W. South St. 293-6550. Starr Hill Brewery Largest independent craft brewer in Virginia with 16 rotating beers on tap. 5391 Three Notched Rd., Crozet. 823-5671.
62 Knife&Fork Winter
12 Ridges Vineyard Newly planted vines cover the rolling hills of this high-altitude winery (and Christmas tree farm) on the Blue Ridge Parkway with killer mountain views from the tasting room and expansive patio. 24981 Blue Ridge Pkwy., Vesuvias. 996-4252 Afton Mountain Vineyards Lovely views and top-notch wines at this sustainably maintained winery with a French-born winemaker. The 2016 Tradition red blend won gold in the 2019 Governor’s Cup. 234 Vineyard Ln., Afton. (540) 456-8667.
STEPHEN BARLING
Breweries and cideries
Ankida Ridge Vineyards Ankida means “where heaven and earth join,” in this case, at an 1,800foot elevation in the Blue Ridge Mountains. 1304 Franklin Creek Rd., Amherst. 922-7678.
ly curated selection of other Virginia wines. Sophisticated small bites menu by chef Tim Moore, formerly of the Michelin-starred Inn at Little Washington. 6109 Wolftown Hood Rd., Madison. (540) 948-9005.
Barboursville Vineyards Barboursville is a true destination, for the wines, scenery, and an historic Jefferson-designed ruin. 17655 Winery Rd., Barboursville. (540) 832-3824.
Fifty-Third Winery & Vineyard Award-winning wines, friendly staff, and a great experience in a peaceful, intimate setting in Louisa County. Easy access from I-64 and Route 33. 13372 Shannon Hill Rd., Louisa, (540) 894-5474.
Barren Ridge Vineyards A peaceful, sophisticated place to sip in a gorgeous rural setting. Open late Thursday through Saturday for live music. 984 Barren Ridge Rd, Fishersville. (540) 248-3300 Blenheim Vineyards Established in 2000 by musician Dave Matthews, Blenheim’s timber-frame tasting room opens onto a deck with great mountain views. 31 Blenheim Farm. 293-5366. Bluestone Vineyard Award-winning small-batch wines in the Shenandoah Valley. Open daily for tastings. 4828 Spring Creek Rd., Bridgewater. (540) 828-0099.
Five Oaks Vineyard Hybrid vines producing chambourcin, sabrevois, and more. 4574 Belle Vista Dr., Barboursville. 242-9445. Flying Fox Vineyard Contemporary interior design, outstanding wines, and very special artisanal vermouths. 10368 Critzer Shop Rd., Afton. 361-1692. Glass House Winery Don’t miss the tropical conservatory next to the tasting room—or the handcrafted chocolates! 5898 Free Union Rd., Free Union. 975-0094.
Brent Manor Vineyards Sample wines from the vineyard and a selection of nearby Virginia wines. 100 Brent Manor Ln., Faber. 826-0722.
Gabriele Rausse Winery Sophisticated wines and small bites served in a contemporary glasswalled building in the woods. 3247 Carters Mountain Rd. 981-1677.
Burnley Vineyards One of the oldest vineyards in the Monticello Viticultural Area. 4500 Winery Ln., Barboursville. (540) 832-2828.
Grace Estate Winery This 50-acre vineyard on scenic Mount Juliet Farm produces 14 varietals. 5273 Mount Juliet Farm, Crozet. 823-1486.
Cardinal Point Vineyard & Winery Try the Quattro—a blend of riesling, gewurtztraminer, viognier, and traminette—at this spare but relaxing spot. 9423 Batesville Rd., Afton. (540) 456-8400.
Hark Vineyards New vineyard and winery (opened October 11, 2019) features the creations of highly regarded winemaker Jake Busching. 6640 Markwood Rd., Earlysville. No phone.
Chestnut Oak Vineyard Single-varietal, singlevineyard wines from petit manseng to chardonnay. Weekend tastings from noon-6pm. 5050 Stony Point Rd., Barboursville. 964-9104.
Hill Top Berry Farm & Winery Non-grape wines made from berries, plus honey meads. 2800 Berry Hill Rd., Nellysford. 361-1266.
Cunningham Creek Winery Once a working cow farm, this winery offers chardonnay, viognier, pinot gris, Cab franc, merlot, and petit verdot. 3304 Ruritan Lake Rd., Palmyra. 207-3907. DelFosse Vineyards & Winery Try the reds at this off-the-beaten-path spot 30 minutes from Charlottesville. 500 DelFosse Winery Ln., Faber. 263-6100. DuCard Vineyards A successful grape-growing business bloomed into what’s now this boutique winery. 40 Gibson Hollow Ln., Etlan. (540) 923-4206. Early Mountain Vineyards Beautiful industrial farmhouse tasting room, estate wines, and a careful-
Horton Vineyards Its petit manseng took the top prize at the 2019 Virginia Governor’s Cup, and its port-style wine is also a winner. 6399 Spotswood Trail, Gordonsville. (540) 832-7440. Jefferson Vineyards Grab a bottle of meritage and get a spot on the tree deck for a picturesque afternoon. 1353 Thomas Jefferson Pkwy. 977-3042. Keswick Vineyards Dog-friendly tasting spot located at the historic 400-acre Edgewood Estate. 1575 Keswick Winery Dr., Keswick. 244-3341. Kilaurwen Winery Artisanal wines near Shenandoah National Park. 1543 Evergreen Church Rd., Stanardsville. 985-2535.