Winery, Brewery & Cidery Events in Afton & Nelson County

12 Ridges Vineyard

12 Ridges Vineyard is a high-elevation winery set along the Blue Ridge Parkway at Mile Post 25 in Vesuvius, Virginia, sitting at roughly 3,300 feet, which makes it one of the highest vineyards in the eastern United States. The cool mountaintop climate, with its wide diurnal temperature swings, strong wind, and intense sunlight, slows ripening and preserves natural acidity, producing wines of structure and precision that the vineyard likens in spirit to cool-climate European regions such as Burgundy, Champagne, Alsace, and Germany. About ten acres are planted to Chardonnay, Riesling, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Gris, varieties chosen specifically for high-elevation conditions, and the winemaking emphasizes restraint to let the site speak. Visitors can taste these wines in a quiet, understated tasting room with uninterrupted long-range views across the Blue Ridge Mountains. For those who wish to linger, a small collection of private homes on the property, including a Vineyard House and a Mountain House, lets guests extend their stay amid the elevation and sweeping mountain scenery.

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Afton Mountain Vineyards

Afton Mountain Vineyards is one of Virginia's pioneering wineries, with vines first planted in 1978 on the eastern slope of its namesake Afton Mountain in the heart of the Blue Ridge. Set at nearly 1,000 feet of elevation amid 24 acres of vines spanning 11 grape varieties, the estate pairs sweeping mountain and vineyard views with award-quality wines crafted by French-born winemaker Damien Blanchon. Visitors can enjoy tastings and tours in the Tasting House, relax at the on-site pavilion, stay overnight in one of the vineyard's charming cottages, or host weddings and private events against a stunning Shenandoah Valley backdrop — making it a memorable destination for wine lovers and travelers alike.

WeddingsB&B

• Meetin on the Mountain: British Car ShowSat, Oct 17, 2026, 12 PM – 3 PM
• Live Music: The CrybabiesSat, Oct 17, 2026, 3 PM – 6 PM
• Live Music: Danny Goodson BandSat, Oct 24, 2026, 3 PM – 6 PM

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Basic City Beer Co.

Basic City Beer Co. is a craft brewery in Waynesboro, Virginia, just over Afton Mountain from Charlottesville, about 35 minutes west on I-64. Founded in 2016 and named for the industrial boom town that once stood on this spot, the brewery occupies a former factory complex that housed Virginia Metalcrafters, with high ceilings, saw-tooth windows, and reclaimed pipe honoring the original foundry. Beer is brewed with local artesian spring water and poured from a dozen taps, spanning New England IPAs, stouts, and lagers, across one of the largest single-pour zinc bar tops in the country. The campus also includes the Foundry, Waynesboro's home for live music with ticketed and free shows most weekends; the Showroom cocktail lounge; and the FO Kitchen restaurant serving elevated bar food. Vintage arcade games round out the taproom, and the venue is both kid-friendly and dog-friendly, making it an easy Shenandoah Valley stop before or after a day on Route 151.

DogsFamily Friendly

• Fireside CollectiveFri, Oct 16, 2026, 8 PM – 11:59 PM
• Four Thirty Four (434) with 21 Gunz & Savage TheorySat, Oct 17, 2026, 8 PM – 11 PM
• The Four Horsemen & Vulgar Display of PanteraFri, Oct 23, 2026, 8 PM – 11:59 PM

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Blue Mountain

Blue Mountain Barrel House is a brewery and restaurant in Arrington, Virginia, serving as the sister operation to the original Blue Mountain Brewery in Afton. Billed as Virginia's first rural brewery, it has independently brewed and packaged its beers on site since 2012, and also produces all the beer for South Street Brewery. Visitors can sample a wide lineup spanning a core series, seasonal offerings, and the barrel-aged Barrel House series, with flagship beers like the Full Nelson Virginia Pale Ale, Kolsch 151, and the barrel-aged Dark Hollow Imperial Stout. The on-site Smokin' Barrel Restaurant rounds out the experience with sandwiches, pizzas, and a Sunday brunch. Guests can also take advantage of daily specials, growler fills, and live music during Friday Cheers, making it a relaxed destination for food, beer, and gatherings in Nelson County.

Outdoor Seating

• Friday Cheers with Creek Mill GrassFri, Oct 16, 2026, 5:30 PM – 8:30 PM
• Steal the GlassWed, Oct 21, 2026, 11 AM – 8 PM
• Friday Cheers with Jacob Paul AllenFri, Oct 23, 2026, 5:30 PM – 8:30 PM

Blue Toad Hard Cider

Blue Toad Hard Cider is a craft cidery and taproom nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Nelson County, Virginia, producing award-winning dry hard ciders made exclusively from locally grown apples sourced from Western New York and Nelson County. The cidery takes a farm-to-can approach with all-natural, handcrafted ciders, including its decorated Paddy Green, which has earned a Gold medal at the Great Lakes International Cidery and Perry Competition and a Silver at the Virginia Governor's Cup. Visitors to the cider farm can enjoy pints, flights, and growler fills in the taproom, with happy hour specials, Sunday deals, and Heartland Wines also available for tasting and bottle sales. The property is a lively community hub, hosting live music, food trucks, festivals, and signature events like the Rockfish River Rodeo. Guests can join the Blue Toad Cider Club for bi-monthly shipments, and the on-site Cider Hall serves as an outdoor venue for weddings, corporate retreats, and other gatherings with scenic mountain views.

Family FriendlyOutdoor SeatingDogs

• Blue Ridge Mountain Maze Corn Maze & Fall FestivalSat, Oct 17, 2026, 10 AM – 10 PM
• Music in the Mountains at the Corn MazeSat, Oct 17, 2026, 6 PM – 9 PM
• Blue Ridge Mountain Maze Corn Maze & Fall FestivalSun, Oct 18, 2026, 10 AM – 6 PM

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Bold Rock

Bold Rock Nellysford is a craft cidery, taproom, and restaurant in Nellysford, Virginia, set along the scenic Nelson 151 craft beverage trail in the Blue Ridge Mountains. The flagship Bold Rock Cider Barn, opened in August 2014, is a rustic timber-framed barn known as the "Chapel of Apple" that serves as the company's headquarters and primary cider production facility, with stunning views of the Rockfish River and surrounding mountains. Visitors can enjoy Bold Rock's gluten-free hard ciders, ranging from dry and crisp to sweet and fruity and made from locally sourced apples, alongside craft beers from sister brands and a full Bold Kitchen menu of lunch and dinner fare designed to pair with cider. The property also includes the Bold Rock Distillery at the Barrel Barn, a destination for craft cocktails, canned cocktails, seltzers, ciders, and wines. With a pint, a tasting flight, weekly food and drink specials, taproom events, a rewards club, and space to host private events, Bold Rock Nellysford offers a family-friendly spot to relax along Route 151.

DogsOutdoor Seating

• Ciders & Screams Movie Night: GhostbustersFri, Oct 16, 2026, 7 PM – 9:30 PM
• Fall Foliage FestSat, Oct 17, 2026, 11 AM – 9 PM
• Voodoo Doll WorkshopThu, Oct 22, 2026, 6 PM – 8 PM

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Winery

Brent Manor Vineyards

Boutique Nelson County winery blending New World and Old World wine styles — pours estate-grown Virginia wines alongside a rotating selection of Portuguese wines. Also hosts weddings. Open Fri 12–5:30pm, Sat–Sun 11–5:30pm (seasonal, closed in winter).

Weddings

Brewing Tree Beer Company

A riverside brewery and kitchen on five acres along the North Fork of the Rockfish River in Afton, founded by craft-beer pioneer Mark Thompson. Beer garden, Scratch Kitchen food truck, open meadow, kids' sandbox and dogs welcome on the leash. Free live music most weekends and The Roots Market every Wednesday. 21+ to enter the taproom.

• Live Music: Tidewater ValleyFri, Oct 16, 2026, 5 PM
• Live Music: BluzoniaSat, Oct 17, 2026, 3 PM
• Family Field DaySun, Oct 18, 2026, 12 PM

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Bryant’s Dry Cider

Bryant's Dry Cider is a Virginia cidery and brewery whose ciders are crafted from apples grown on its historic estate farm in Nelson County, near Roseland in the rural Blue Ridge mountains. The company traces its apple-growing roots back more than a century, and today produces a range of gluten-free craft ciders that span from extra dry to moderately sweet, along with estate-produced beers. Visitors can taste at the Bryant's Farm tasting room, set in an 1800s building that hosts weekly events for the whole family, and there is also a second tasting location, the Lab, in Richmond. The farm setting offers history and nature alongside the drinks, and the venue is available for weddings and other gatherings. Guests can join the Cider Club, order online, or stop in to sample the lineup.

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Cardinal Point Winery

Cardinal Point Winery is a family-operated farm winery in Nelson County, Virginia, ideally situated within view of the Rockfish Gap, the Blue Ridge Parkway, and Skyline Drive. Established in 1985, the winery produces limited-production, handcrafted wines that showcase the unique style and terroir of the Monticello American Viticultural Area in the heart of Virginia wine country. Its portfolio spans a range of grape varieties grown and produced on the estate, including offerings such as Rockfish Red, Hopped Chardonnay, and Clay Hill Cabernet Franc. The tasting room welcomes guests daily between 11 a.m. and 5:30 p.m., offering tastings along with glass and bottle sales and both indoor and outdoor seating areas. Visitors can also join the Cardinal Point Cooperative wine club for access to award-winning wines, special pricing, and discounted event reservations.

Outdoor Seating

• Music on the Deck: Michael MulvaneySun, Oct 18, 2026, 2 PM – 5 PM

Devils Backbone

Devils Backbone Brewing Company is a Virginia craft brewery known for its award-winning beers and its setting in the Blue Ridge Mountains. The brewery operates two pub locations, the Basecamp Brewpub & Meadows and the Outpost, where visitors can enjoy a wide range of house brews along with the company's SMASH ready-to-drink canned cocktails. Beyond the taproom, Basecamp offers an array of experiences including a regular concert series, festivals, and other events held on its scenic grounds. Guests can extend their visit by camping at Basecamp or staying in its on-site lodging, and the property is also available for private events. With food, drink, music, and mountain getaways all in one place, Devils Backbone aims to feel like home.

Outdoor Seating

Flying Fox Vineyard

Flying Fox Vineyard is a small, family-run Virginia winery that has been producing premium wines since 2006 with a philosophy of uninhibited winemaking. Run by a team with collectively half a century of experience in the Virginia wine industry, the operation deliberately keeps its focus narrow, prioritizing wine itself over events, wide wholesale distribution, or food service. The winery farms two vineyard sites to take advantage of climatic variability: Flying Fox Vineyard in the warmer Monticello AVA, where its red varieties grow, and the cooler, higher Ridge Run Vineyard in the Shenandoah AVA, home to its whites. Its core Flying Fox Series offers eight premium varietal wines, such as viognier and petit verdot, that aim to express the fruit and place authentically, while the experimental Sly Fox Series and an award-winning seasonal vermouth let the team push beyond convention. The result is a limited-production, varietally focused portfolio meant to honor Virginia's emerging wine industry.

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Hazy Mountain

Hazy Mountain is a family-owned winery in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia that produces wine from its own estate vineyards. With 86 acres under vine across two sites in Afton and Swoope, the winery proudly represents both the Monticello and Shenandoah Valley AVAs, aiming to let the vineyards speak for themselves and tell the story of what their distinctive soils have to offer. Guests can personalize their visit with guided tastings, offered seven days a week in the tasting room, with private guided tastings available upon request. The winery also offers a tiered wine club with four membership levels, plus tasting room and online shop discounts, for those who want to enjoy more Hazy Mountain at home. Beyond tastings, Hazy Mountain hosts weddings and private events in its dedicated vineyard event spaces and maintains a calendar of ongoing happenings throughout the year.

Family FriendlyWeddings

• OCTOBER BACHATAFri, Oct 23, 2026, 5 PM – 9 PM
• The Winemaker's Journey Part 2Fri, Oct 23, 2026, 6:30 PM – 8 PM
• Paint + Sip "Stack o' Pumpkins"Fri, Oct 23, 2026, 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM

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Hill Top Berry Farm & Winery

Hill Top Berry Farm & Winery is a family-run winery and meadery in Nellysford, Virginia, in the scenic Rockfish River Valley along the Route 151 corridor in the Blue Ridge. It first opened in 1993 as a pick-your-own berry farm and in 1998 became the fifty-first winery to open in Virginia. The winery specializes in "true to the fruit" wines made from fruits such as blueberries, blackberries, plums, apples, peaches, and elderberries, alongside historically accurate honey meads, with all 32 varieties handcrafted in small batches and bottled on the farm. Visitors can sample these fruit wines and ancient-style honey meads while learning the history behind each one, and enjoy tasting flights and charcuterie out on the patio. Set amid orchards and farmland with mountain views, Hill Top is part of a region known for wineries, breweries, cideries, hiking, and outdoor recreation, and it offers a discount to veterans, military members, and law enforcement.

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Silverback Distillery

Silverback Distillery is an internationally awarded craft distillery led by Master Distiller Christine Riggleman, founded in 2014. The independent, small-batch operation produces distinct, flavorful spirits from a unique mix of local grains, mountain water, and American craftsmanship, including the citrus-forward Strange Monkey Gin, honey-infused Blackback Rye Whiskey, Blackback Bourbon, and the acclaimed Christine Riggleman Reserve, the first bourbon branded under a woman's name. Silverback operates production facilities and tasting rooms in both the Pocono region of Pennsylvania and the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia, giving visitors two locations to explore. Guests can enjoy a range of tasting experiences, from cocktail flights and barrel-smoked cocktails to whiskey served neat. The distillery takes its name from a family nickname and prides itself on creating high-quality, approachable spirits meant to be enjoyed by everyone.

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Valley Road Vineyards

Valley Road Vineyards is a Virginia farm winery located at the gateway to the Nelson 151 trail at 9264 Critzers Shop Road in Afton, within the historic Monticello Viticultural Area. Founded in 2016, the winery focuses on outstanding estate wines and farms roughly a dozen-plus acres under vine; it is a member of the Monticello Wine Trail and a winner of the 2026 Virginia Governor's Cup. Visitors can sample wines in the farm-chic tasting room or relax outdoors on the Patio, the Pavilion overlooking the Blue Ridge Mountains, or in the shade of the Grove. The winery is open seven days a week, offers a wine club and regular events, and is a popular setting for weddings and private celebrations. Its scenic location makes it a natural first stop for those exploring the Nelson 151 corridor.

Outdoor SeatingWeddingsFamily Friendly

• Live Music with Rebecca RomanoSat, Oct 17, 2026, 2 PM – 5 PM

Veritas Vineyard and Winery

Veritas Vineyard and Winery is a top-rated, family-owned winery located at 151 Veritas Lane in Afton, Virginia, about 20 minutes west of Charlottesville in scenic Nelson County. A proud member of the Nelson 151 Trail, the estate produces award-winning wines and offers a tasting room open daily from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Visitors can enjoy wine tastings, settle in at one of the winery's tables to take in the vineyard views, and explore the seasonal menu and wine list. The property is also a popular destination for weddings and hosts a calendar of events throughout the year, including its Supper Series, Starry Nights, and Veritas Illuminated. Guests can join the wine club for quarterly hand-selected releases and member benefits, and the on-site Farmhouse offers an additional dining and lodging experience.

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Virginia Distillery Co.

Virginia Distillery Co. is an American Single Malt whisky distillery set in the heart of Virginia's Blue Ridge Mountains, in central Virginia. The distillery describes itself as the most awarded single malt whisky distillery in America, earning recognition from top industry experts and prestigious competitions for its grain-to-glass craft. At its Visitors Center, guests can book guided tours and tastings to explore the distillery's process, history, and award-winning whisky firsthand. The distillery also hosts a calendar of special events and experiences, and shares whisky cocktail recipes ranging from classic Old Fashioneds to original creations. Its flagship offerings include the Courage & Conviction brand of American Single Malt, with educational resources available through the American Single Malt Academy.

Family Friendly

WildManDan Brewery

WildManDan Brewery is an artisan production brewery in Afton, Virginia, and a member of the Nelson 151 Craft Beverage Trail, where it has been recognized among the trail's best. The brewery is a 21-and-over establishment open to the public, specializing in small-batch beer and welcoming visitors Wednesday through Sunday, with hours that include weekday afternoons and evenings. Beyond the taproom, the property offers a Mountain Farmhouse that sleeps 12, available for group bookings with farm-to-table catering for guests staying the weekend. Regular happenings give the brewery a community feel, including Run, Walk, Crawl on Wednesdays, Locals Vinyl nights with five-dollar pints on Thursdays, and a Saturday grilled cheese and beer pairing with limited seating. The brewery also hosts seasonal events such as the Nelson 151 Honey Daze celebration and shows all Green Bay Packers games, making it a relaxed spot for craft beer and casual gatherings in the Virginia mountains.

B&BOutside FoodOutdoor Seating

• Grilled Cheese & Beer PairingSat, Oct 17, 2026, 11:30 AM
• Run, Walk, Crawl ClubWed, Oct 21, 2026, 6 PM
• Vinyl ShareThu, Oct 22, 2026, 4 PM – 7 PM

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