Near Nellysford
Nelson County, VA
Bold Rock Hard Cider has begun construction on a new $3 million expansion at its cidery in Nellysford, Virginia, in order to meet dramatic demand for its distinctive hard ciders. We’ve been following the progress of Bold Rock before construction ever started. Read more in these posts by clicking here. In the first year of business, the company has exceeded its original business plan six fold, necessitating additional space for cider making. In addition, this 12,578 sq. ft., custom built “Cider Barn” has been architecturally designed to make it a destination venue and is slated become a significant agri-tourism landmark in Virginia.
Hundreds of oak beams, rustic farm décor, a wood burning fireplace of handmade brick, and a floor-to-ceiling glass wall through which visitors to the tasting room bar can see the fermentation vats, observe the cider makers at work and watch the bottling machine in operation, will make it a not-to-be-missed attraction along the “Brew Ridge Trail” (Rt. 151) in Nelson County. Its hilltop site on a cliff overlooking the beautiful Rockfish River has panoramic views of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Spacious outdoor terraces will provide a unique place to “Drink in the scenery.”
When founder/co-owner, John Washburn, conceived a bold plan to bring the craft of cidermaking to his farm in the Rockfish Valley, he knew that Virginia’s rich history of cider making and generations of apple orchards would support the venture. With the international cider making and marketing expertise that founder/co-owner, Brian Shanks, brought to the venture, Bold Rock Hard Cider was bound to boom!
John truly enjoys seeing people happily enjoying hard cider in towns around Virginia and on the pretty farm that he has landscaped for 27 years. Brian looks out to the mid-Atlantic region and feels strongly that with the phenomenal support the company gets from the local apple growers, with the company’s contemporary approach to its fresh apple product, and with the super distributor network, Bold Rock Hard Cider is well underway to actualizing their vision.
