We can help you celebrate Virginia Cider Week with friends and family on a custom tour of cideries in Northern Virginia and beyond! Virginia Cider Week is officially scheduled for Nov. 15-24, but celebrations are beginning this weekend in Richmond. One of our local cideries, Wild Hare Hard Cider in Leesburg and Warrenton, will be participating in the Richmond Cider Celebration, where 15 Virginia cideries will be competing in teams organized by regions.
Other Virginia Cider Week events include cider dinner at Caboose Brewing in Vienna on Thursday Nov 14, a cider making workshop at Winchester Ciderworks on Saturday Nov. 16, and the Alexandria Cider Festival at The Lloyd House featuring tastings from 10 Virginia cideries, live music and activities. On a larger scale, ROOTSTOCK – A Celebration of Mid-Atlantic Cider & Music takes place at Hook Hall in Washington DC on Nov. 16.
We can provide transportation for any size group to any of the events, or we can help you customize your private tour of local cideries! To get started, you’ll want to determine which cideries you want to visit. Here are a couple of suggested itineraries for a private cidery tour:
Tour 1
- Begin at Wild Hare Hard Cider in downtown Leesburg. There are a number of food options in the complex, including Tuscarora Mill for upscale dining, South Street Under for awesome deli sandwiches and desserts, Fire Works Pizza for unique and gluten-free pizzas, and Jasmine Chinese Cuisine and Sushi. If you’re visiting Loudoun, go upstairs to the Visit Loudoun offices to explore other attractions and entertainment the county has to offer.
- Next, head to Corcoran Vineyards & Cidery in Waterford, where you can sample Lori Corcoran’s craft wine, cider and cider cocktails. If you visit on a Sunday, they’ve also added champagne and mimosas to the menu.
- Your third and final stop should be Notaviva Craft Fermentations, in Purcellville. The Mackey family recently expended their winery operations to include beer and cider, so you can enjoy mixed flights in their beautiful tasting room.
Tour 2
- Begin at Wild Hare Hard Cider in downtown Leesburg.
- Next, head to Mt. Defiance Cider Barn in Middleburg, where you can also sample sweet vermouth and pommeau (an acoholic beverage made with apple juice and apple brandy). The distillery in downtown Middleburg is a smaller venue, so we suggest the larger location located on the edge of town.
- Your third and final stop is Henway Hard Cider, part of the Great Country Farms family of adult craft beverage makers. The cidery is located at the farm off Foggy Bottom Road – note that it’s open Thursday through Sunday only.
Below you’ll find a map noting Virginia, Washington DC and Maryland cideries.
