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BuzzFeed Visits the Mountain

BuzzFeed—you’ve heard of them, right? Well, we already knew how amazing Charlottesville (and Carter Mountain Orchard) is, but after their visit in August, we think they’re convinced too!

Apple Cider Donuts“But what if we told you Virginia is wine country, and good wine country at that?” says BuzzFeed. “You’d probably say, ‘No! Biddies. Bonnets. BUTTER.’ That’s what we said too (in not so many words) when we learned we were going to Charlottesville, Virginia, for the Monticello Wine Trail.”

Well, no offense to biddies, bonnets, and butter (who doesn’t love butter?) but us Cville locals know that there’s so much more to Charlottesville than visitors expect. Yes, we have a rich presidential history. And yes, we are home to a world class university (go Hoos!). But we are also rich in local food, craft beverages, and general merriment set against stunning views of the Blue Ridge.

Our BuzzFeed visitors agreed.

“Another must is Carter Mountain Orchard. With its live music nights, cornhole, and apple cider doughnuts, Carter Mountain is extremely family friendly. But you could also just come, spawnless, and drink all the fruit. Try Bold Rock Hard Ciders on tap. Tastefully dry and brisk, these ciders will surprise you with flavor profiles more akin to champagne than juice. And let’s not forget about the WINE SLUSHIES at the Prince Michel Wine Shop on site.”

Some of the other Charlottesville favorites that the BuzzFeed team visited included:

Check out the full BuzzFeed article at buzzfeed.com/virginiatourism/wine-lovers-weve-found-your-new-paradise.

BuzzFeed staff "Hangin’ out at Tom-Tom’s house, NBD"

Prince Michel Tasting Room at Chiles Peach Orchard Now Open

The Prince Michel tasting room at Chiles is now open daily!

In a continuous effort to provide wine lovers with a memorable wine experience, Prince Michel offers multiple settings to enjoy their wines. Their latest satellite tasting room at Chiles Peach Orchard provides visitors with the unique opportunity to appreciate first-hand the partnership between growers and producers.

The relationship between Prince Michel Winery and Chiles Orchard began over a decade ago with special plantings of Cabernet Sauvignon grapes and has flourished into a collaboration of two separate tasting rooms located in the actual orchard and vineyard sites owned by the Chiles family. Winery owner Kristin Holzman sites her relationship with the Chiles family as, “one of my most successful and harmonious in this industry.”

Guests to the newly constructed Prince Michel Tasting Room can taste wine inspired by peaches grown feet from the wine shop. The relaxed atmosphere and open, natural spaces provide wine lovers the chance to taste wine in a setting suitable for the entire family.

The Rapidan River Peach is just one wine available for tasting and purchase. Wines range from high-end “craft” wines—like Pinot Grigio and Cabernet Franc grown from select Virginia vineyards—to more unique wines from the Rapidan River series, like Semi-dry Riesling, Peach, and Apple.

The Prince Michel tasting room at Chiles is open Thursday through Saturday from 10AM – 6PM and Sundays from 10AM-5PM.

In the mood for hard cider? Visit the new Bold Rock Hard Cider Cellar just a few steps away from the Prince Michel tasting room!

About Prince Michel Vineyard & Winery

Prince Michel is one of the oldest and largest wineries in Virginia, producing award winning red, white, and sweet wines. As a pioneer in the Virginia Wine Industry, Prince Michel Vineyard and Winery has set the standard for exceptional wine and an equally exceptional wine tasting experience since its 1982 founding in Madison, Virginia. Located in beautiful Leon, VA, the winery now has tasting rooms at both Carter Mountain Orchard and Chiles Peach Orchard.

Tasting Rooms Opening at Chiles Peach Orchard

Update: The Tasting Rooms are Now Open!

Our family is thrilled to welcome Bold Rock Hard Cider and Prince Michel Winery to Crozet!

Why should Charlottesville have all the fun? We are pleased to announce the opening of new tasting rooms for Bold Rock Hard Cider and Prince Michel Winery at Chiles Peach Orchard in Crozet!

Our family has enjoyed strong partnerships with these fine local companies for years, supplying a lot of the fruit used to make their delicious beverages. We are excited to offer our customers the convenience of enjoying these high-quality products right here at Chiles.

Strawberries in Bold Rock Hard Cider at Chiles Peach Orchard

“Cider, wine and berries!” Photo credit: Lewis Ann Connolly, Facebook

Bold Rock will feature 8 ciders on tap, plus do growler fills and sell 6 packs and cases to go. Prince Michel will offer tastings and sales by the glass, bottle, and case – enjoy about a dozen wines (several made with grapes from Carter Mountain Orchard).

The interior of the tasting rooms is still under construction, but we anticipate opening in early June! Until then, we’ll be hosting tastings on the deck, Thursdays through Sundays.

Work up your thirst in the strawberry fields (pick-your-own strawberries are still in season!) and then check out the new tasting building, it’s practically in the orchard!

Prince Michel wine tasting at Chiles Peach Orchard

Kylie and Morgan from Prince Michel Winery setting up for wine tastings

Bold Rock Hard Cider tasting at Chiles Peach Orchard

Kim, Sean, and Sam from Bold Rock conducting a hard cider tasting

The Tasting Rooms under construction at Chiles Peach Orchard

The Tasting Rooms under construction at Chiles Peach Orchard

Carter Mountain Now Open for 2016 Season

Spring came early, and one thing farmers do is listen to Mother Nature. So, we are open!

It’s not quite pick-your-own peach season (see our fruit availability schedule) but there’s still plenty to do on the mountain!

#1 Eat

Carter Mountain Apple Pie

The bakery is overflowing with apple-y goodness: apple cider donuts, apple pies, and good ol’ regular apples are waiting to be enjoyed.

#2 Drink

Prince Michel wine at Carter Mountain Orchard

Is there a better way to spend a springtime afternoon than sipping award-winning wine while enjoying the best view in Charlottesville? The Prince Michel Wine Shop is open daily from 10AM – 5PM (it’s 5 o’clock somewhere!).

If you prefer to drink your daily fruit serving (hard cider counts as a serving of fruit, right?), the Bold Rock Hard Cider Cellar is also open every day!

For the under 21 crowd, our apple cider is a sweet thirst-quencher. Not to mention, the perfect complement to an apple cider donut.

#3 Shop

If you’re craving some retail therapy but are tired of the same-old, same-old Charlottesville shopping scene, explore our Country Store to discover local and unique treasures. New products have just arrived, click the below thumbnails to view more!

#4 Unwind

CM-AaronWatson-2015-view-011-vineyard-1000x450

Life’s simple pleasures are the best. Breathe fresh mountain air, bask in spring sunshine, and marvel at the view of springtime blooming across Charlottesville.

#5 Snap some pictures

Spring peach blossoms at Carter Mountain Orchard

Calling all photographers! (Or nature-lovers with a smart phone) With peach trees now in bloom and apple trees ready to bloom in the next couple of weeks, early springtime is one of the most beautiful times of the year to take photos on the mountain.

(Note: please review our photography guidelines)