A Lisst Cideries in the Richmond Area to Grab a Drink Now!
Warm weather always makes me crave an afternoon in the sun, sipping on the best wine, beer and ciders around. Summer is here but flying by quickly, so I’m making it my mission to explore and find my new favorite summertime beverage spots in the Richmond area. Since I’m gluten free in a brewery-heavy city, I’m looking to cideries in the Richmond area to explore. Many are fit for socially distant fun and ready for blissful sips under the warm Virginia sun.
Buskey Cider
2910 W Leigh St, Richmond, VA 23230
If you want to visit a place that embodies the vibe of Richmond, Buskey Cider might be the place to start. The tasting room and production facility is located in Richmond’s brewery district, Scott’s Addition. Buskey’s atmosphere makes it easy to wind down with a board game while you sip and learn the company’s history. Their cider is made from Virginia apples and is sold in and around the Richmond area. You could probably even pick it up at your local market or grocery store. So whether it’s in their industrial tasting room or popping a can from your fridge, Buskey is the way to go!
Blue Bee Cider
320 Summit Ave, Richmond, VA 23230
Another completely adorable spot to visit in Scott’s Addition is Blue Bee Cider. Similar to Buskey, Blue Bee crafts it’s ciders from Virginia apples on a seasonal basis, which is clever when crafting new flavors all year long! Their urban vibes make this such a cozy place to visit for a quick drink. The courtyard is ripe for events and they typically keep a calendar full of fun events like making your own charcuterie board.
Courthouse Creek Cider
3300 W Broad St #106, Richmond, VA 23230
Next up, Courthouse Creek Cider. Tucked away in the heart of Scott’s Addition, Courthouse Creek definitely makes you feel at home in it’s quaint and personable tasting room. I visited this cidery a couple days ago and they helped me find the perfect cup of gold. They make primarily dry, but simply sweet ciders and are the only cidery in Virginia to source by barrel. This family owned and operated business focuses on upholding their agricultural roots and community connection. And if you’re ever on the outskirts of the city, try visiting their farm in Goochland to see exactly where the production happens!
Bryant’s Cider
2114 E Main St, Richmond, VA 23223
Bryant’s Cider is a good mix of country air and city lights, depending on where you end up. Their farm, located in Nelson County, Virginia, has been the home of their production since the very beginning. If country life is more your speed, take a seat and grab a drink in their renovated barn from the 1800s or find a spot on their many acres of farmland. City life? Visit the Richmond tasting room, where you can find the same atmosphere with an urban spin. Weekly specials and new releases can easily be found online or you can follow their Instagram (@bryantsciderrva) for updates!
Hardywood Park Craft Brewery
2410 Ownby Ln, Richmond, VA 23220
This isn’t technically a cidery. The Richmond-based brewery is known for its beer and bad ass hangout spaces. On site, Hardywood showcases two table wines and a cider on tap, however. On a hot day recently, we headed in to enjoy some socially distant food truck dinner. I ordered up some beer for fiends and a cider for me. It stopped me in my tracks it was so refreshing!
Albermarle Ciderworks & Vintage Virginia Apples
2545 Rural Ridge Ln, North Garden, VA 22959
This whimsical cidery is located just outside of Charlottesville, Virginia. I first went for a fun bridal shower. Albermarle Ciderworks is best known for its experimentation with vintage apples to achieve unique flavors, some of which are special reserve batches. Many of these ciders are offered on a limited run! Right now, Albermarle Ciderworks has 15 different blends, which can be bought by the bottle or sipped in their tasting room. They also keep a full calendar of events, workshops and live music, and more.
Bold Rock Carter Mountain
1435 Carters Mountain Trail, Charlottesville, VA 22902
Another picture perfect cidery on the edge of Charlottesville: the Bold Rock Tasting Room at Carter Mountain Orchard. It overlooks one of my favorite views in Virginia. There’s a little adventure woven in, too. You can spend the day picking fresh fruit in the orchard–hello Instagram photos. Polish it off by tasting what they create with these fruits. Many of their ciders come from apples crafted in the Blue Ridge Mountains and they have an extensive flavor list. And if you’re not looking to make the drive, check out the Bold Rock Finder to see where you can pick up a pack to enjoy at home. They also have partnerships at many other orchards in Virginia and their own tasting room off route 151 called Nellysford Cidery.
Potters Craft Cider
1350 Arrowhead Valley Rd, Charlottesville, VA 22903
This cidery, also located in the Charlottesville area, has a simple and humble approach to its ciders. A startup that turned into a brewing passion, Potters Craft Cider strives to support its community by sourcing locally, mainly from the Shenandoah Valley. The process is traditional, but often pushed just slightly out of the box to achieve some seasonally crisp flavors. Their tasting room is also renovated straight from an old church with gorgeous stone walls, giving off those country mountain vibes. Potters Craft Cider is open now on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. Check out the website for special offers and their Food Truck Schedule, especially if you want to grab a bite during your visit!
Castle Hill Cider
6065 Turkey Sag Rd, Keswick, VA 22947
Proudly listed in the National Register of Historic Places, Castle Hill Cider sits on a gorgeous estate in Keswick, Virginia and originated in the 1700s. This property holds acres of orchards that contain apples brought to the country by the first estate owner. In addition to its history, the fermentation process helps this cider stand out. Castle Hill Cider is the only cidery in the world currently using underground fermenting, ground to glass, as they call it! You can visit the tasting room year round. It’s dog and kid friendly, too!
Ditchley Cider Works
1571 Ditchley Rd, Kilmarnock, VA 22482
This cidery is located in one of my favorite area’s of the state and it’s just an hour or so from Richmond. Ditchley is located on sprawling estate of pastures (with cows!), orchards, and a small waterfront. The estate has been passed down for generations, putting it in a continuous state of rebuilding, renovation and growth. Ditchley serves and produce not only hard ciders, but also farm raised pork, beef and poultry, which you can order up on a small plate with your tasting or bring home to prepare yourself. All their ciders are made straight from the orchards on the estate property. The estate is also set up to host you overnight if you want a calming and quiet respite far away from the city lights.
Showalter’s Orchard and Greenhouse – Home of Old Hill Cider
17768 Honeyville Rd, Timberville, VA 22853
Old Hill Cider is just under three hours from Richmond (North of Harrisonburg). The Shenandoah Valley getaway is family owned and operated. Showalter’s Orchard creates its own Old Hill Cider with sustainability in mind. The cider is available exclusively on the farm, where more than 30 varieties of apples are harvested and crafted each year. A big highlight of your visit will take place in the tasting room, which was handbuilt and crafted on site by the Showalter family. This cidery will certainly make you feel at home.
I look forward to making more rounds to Richmond area cideries this summer. Follow along on this pinterest board that we’ve dedicated to the occasion.
If you’re looking for more inspiration and other hot spots in Virginia to explore, make sure to visit my travel section.
And if you want to visit more than just cideries, you can see all my favorite Virginia Wineries here!
