The Ultimate Guide to Cider in Virginia
If you’re looking for the best places to find local hard cider, we’ve got you covered! From the Eastern Shore to Western Virginia, here’s a comprehensive list of the best places to grab a pint!
Albemarle CiderWorks (North Garden, VA)
Albemarle CiderWorks is known for its traditional, small-batch ciders made from locally grown apples.
Food Options: Light snacks, cheeses, and charcuterie are available — but outside picnics are welcome.
Big Fish Cider Co. (Monterey, VA)
Big Fish Cider Co. is right on the border of Virginia and West Virginia and they have a range of off-dry to semi-sweet blends, as well as seasonal offerings.
Food Options: Appetizers and charcuterie are available on site.
Blue Bee Cider (Richmond, VA)
Blue Bee Cider recently moved to a new location and hasn’t yet reopened their tasting room, but you can still order their delicious cider online (they even offer curbside pickup for locals).
Food options: Check their social media for updates after they open!
Buskey Cider (Richmond, VA & Cape Charles, VA)
Their spacious taproom in Scott’s Addition is the perfect place to sip on their creative cider flavors! Buskey Cider also has an outpost in Cape Charles on Virginia’s Eastern Shore.
Food Options: Check their Events calendar or Instagram feed to keep track of food truck nights and restaurant pop-up.
Bold Rock Hard Cider (Nellysford, VA)
Bold Rock Hard Cider is one of Virginia’s largest cider producers and offers a range of cider styles — including sweet and dry options. You can also find them on tap at Carter Mountain Orchard in Charlottesville.
Food Options: Full menu featuring brunch, lunch, and dinner options designed to pair well with their ciders.
Castle Hill Cider (Keswick, VA)
Castle Hill Cider is known for its premium, estate-grown ciders and picturesque vineyard setting. They also have a pretty impressive food menu as well as cider-based cocktails. Castle Hill’s tasting room closes for the winter season and reopens each spring.
Food Options: Substantial menu includes soups, sandwiches, and more.
Ciders From Mars (Staunton, VA)
Ciders From Mars is one of my personal favorites because their commitment to the science-style format is so fun. The flights come in mini beakers! They have creative flavors and their tap room has a pretty big patio. Dogs are welcome!
Food Options: You’re welcome to bring outside food and they occasionally have food trucks on-site.
Cobbler Mountain Cellars (Delaplane, VA)
Sip on a class of Cobbler Mountain Cellars cider in their Treehouse loft or enjoy the sprawling hiking trails on their 90-acre property. This is a cidery where you could spend the whole afternoon. Pet-friendly.
Food Options: No food is sold on-site, but outside food and picnics are welcome.
Corcoran Vineyards and Cider (Waterford, VA)
They have a variety of cider that falls somewhere between a glass of wine and a cold beer. Corcoran Vineyards and Cider also crafts cider cocktails, including one billed as an “apple pie in a glass.” Pet-friendly.
Food Options: Guests are welcome to bring snacks or picnics.
Courthouse Creek Cider (Maidens, VA)
Courthouse Creek Cider offers a variety of cider styles, in addition to sake cocktails, wine, and beer. They have small bites available and you can also often catch a local food truck there. Well-behaved dogs are welcome.
Food Options: A menu featuring small bites is on offer, plus occasional food trucks.
Coyote Hole Ciderworks (Mineral, VA)
Coyote Hole Ciderworks is a great spot near Lake Anna that crafts a wide range of ciders using both traditional and unique ingredients. Craft sangria and sangria cider are two of their signature offerings. Pet-friendly.
Food Options: Coyote Hole’s menu includes appetizers, subs, flatbreads, and salads.
Haley’s Honey Meadery and Ciderhouse (Hopewell, VA & Fredericksburg, VA)
Haley’s Honey Meadery and Ciderhouse offers a variety of meads, which is a type of alcohol created from the fermentation of honey in water. Fruits, spices, grains, hops, and other ingredients can be added to give a mead a different flavor, so the flavor profile might remind you of cider.
Food Options: The menu features Southern favorites in sandwich form, along with snack options and charcuterie boards to share.
Halcyon Days Cider (Natural Bridge, VA)
Halcyon Days Cider incorporate a variety of apple varieties, including Ancestral, Classic European, Heirloom American, and Modern apples. It’s a great way to enjoy a variety of locally grown apples! Keep in mind, this fun spot is only open seasonally so check their website before you visit!
Food Options: At this time, food is not available on the premise but check back soon!
Henway Hard Cider (Bluemont, VA)
Henway Hard Cider is a family-owned cidery that focuses on a farm-to-glass approach. It should come as no surprise since their sister project is Dirt Farm Brewery!
Food Options: They do have a small food menu with simple options that rotate seasonally.
Life is Hard Cider (Mt. Jackson, VA)
Located in the Shenandoah region, Life is Hard cider takes a fun approach to cidermaking. They have traditional offerings on tap as well as seasonal and experimental ciders. Their ciders are made in small batches, so what’s on tap changes frequently. The cider is actually sold through Kindred Pointe winery, so if you also want to grab some wine, you’re in luck!
Food Options: You’re welcome to bring outside food so pack a picnic!
Lost Boy Cider (Alexandria, VA)
I first heard about Lost Boy Cider when I picked up some of their Gherkin cider (I love anything with pickles) and I’ve been hooked ever since! They have a big tap room that is kid and dog friendly, so bring the whole family!
Food Options: They often have food trucks on site, so check their social media pages to find out what’s coming up!
Mt. Defiance Cidery (Middleburg, VA)
Mt. Defiance Cidery crafts a wide range of ciders from traditional apple to ginger and pepper-infused brews. Their spacious tasting room is a great place to bring friends and family.
Food Options: Check their events schedule to see when food trucks will be on site.
Old Hill Cider (Timberville, VA)
This family-owned cidery at Showalter’s Orchard specializes in traditional, barrel-aged ciders made from heirloom apple varieties. Old Hill Cider has a variety of ciders to choose from.
Food Options: The on-site Orchard Roots Cafe serves both sweet and savory bites as well as seasonal apple cider donuts.
Potter’s Craft Cider (Free Union, VA)
Just outside of Charlottesville, Potter’s Craft Cider is known for its craft approach to cider-making, emphasizing quality and unique flavors. Dogs are welcome in outdoor spaces.
Food Options: Along with a rotating lineup of weekend food trucks, Potter’s also has made-to-order sandwiches and grab-and-go snacks available daily in their tasting room.
Sage Bird Ciderworks (Harrisonburg, VA)
We love Sage Bird Ciderworks and you can read our profile on them here! Not only do they make amazing ciders, they also host tons of community events. (And their branding is gorgeous!)
Food Options: They serve panini, wraps, loaded fries, and more. They even have gluten-free and vegetarian/vegan options and substitutions, so there is something for everyone!
Winchester Ciderworks (Winchester, VA)
Based in Winchester, VA, Winchester Ciderworks cidery produces English-style ciders using locally sourced apples.
Food Options: Winchester does not currently serve food, but you can follow them on social media to learn when food trucks will be on site.
Wild Hare Cider (Berryville, VA & elsewhere)
With locations in Berryville, Warrenton, Leesburg, and Fredericksburg, it’s easy to get your fix of Wild Hare Cider. They offer a range of hard ciders with a focus on sustainability and quality.
Food Options: Offerings vary at each location. The Warrington location offers hand tossed pizzas, while the Fredericksburg location has a menu of pub classics.
