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Carter Mountain selfie at Thursday Evening sunset series

Looking Back on a Fruitful 2021 Season

December 28, 2021  |  Carter Mountain Orchard

Category: News

We are overcome with gratitude for another year of providing wholesome family fun to the Charlottesville community and beyond. We are especially thankful for our stellar staff and the countless hours they dedicate to the orchard each and every year. Hats off to them and everyone who made this year one for the books!

While we’ll be closed on New Years’ Eve and Day to let our wonderful staff celebrate the holidays, our Country Store & Bakery and the Bold Rock Tap Room will open back up on January 2nd to kick off 2022! We will be open again this winter, weather permitting, every Friday–Sunday until late March.

Of course, before we dive into another year of sweet apples, sugary cider donuts, and long-lasting memories on the mountain, we’d like to look back on 2021’s many highlights!

Frozen trees at Carter Mountain Orchard during winter

January–March

After being open weekends for our first-ever winter season at the beginning of the year, spring brought us back to daily hours on March 26.

Cider donut bread pudding in a bowl with an Carter Mountain Orchard mason jar mug and apple in background

April

We took our famous apple cider donuts to the next level with a new recipe for Cider Donut Bread Pudding. Not only did we share the recipe with you, but we also served our very own version on the mountain!

Carter Mountain Wine lineup with view

May

At the end of May, we were able to pop the corks off of our very own wine! The Wine Shop opened for wine-lovers near and far to enjoy wine by the glass, tasting flight, and bottle. After harvesting grapes for generations, we are proud to share our love of the land in a brand new way.

Barbecue products from Carter Mountain Country Store

June

June marks the start of summer, and that’s why we made Your Guide to Hosting the Ultimate Summer Barbecue! There’s nothing we love more than spending time in the great outdoors, and the season’s beautiful weather provides the “just right” setting to grill outside with family and friends.

Carter Mountain peaches ready picked

July

The hot July sun was perfect for peach picking! We started picking peaches in late June, and those sweet, juicy fruits were definitely worth the wait. Of course, plenty of fresh peaches were enjoyed with peach ice cream and cider donuts on the mountain.

Carter Mountain selfie at Thursday Evening sunset series

August

By the time August rolled around, Wind Down Wednesdays and Thursday Evening Sunset Series were in full swing! Visitors from all over set up on our patio, uncorked some wine, and enjoyed live music while admiring the stunning Charlottesville sunset. It is the best view in town, after all!

Granny Smith apple picking

September

September marked the start of the busiest time of year (for us, at least): apple picking season! We took the experience up a notch with daily fall food trucks on the mountain! From Vision BBQ to Little Manilla, Two Brother’s Southwestern Grill, and more, there were too many good eats to count!

Ready picked pumpkins at Carter Mountain

October

The mountain was bustling this spooky season with festive ready-picked pumpkins! Whether visitors were looking for carving pumpkins, pie pumpkins, or decorative gourds, there were more than enough to choose from.

country store and bakery cornucopia

November

Our How to Have a Friendsgiving You’ll Never Forget blog article helped visitors plan their very own holiday celebrations! After all, Friendsgiving is more than a meal; it’s a time to pause and celebrate your close-knit community.

christmas signs at country store & bakery

December

We had a merry time on the mountain while helping visitors find holiday gifts for loved ones. Christmas shopping is best done with a view and a glass of mulled wine afterward!


Thank you to all who came to enjoy the 2021 season with us—it makes us all the more excited to jump into 2022! To plan your winter visits, view our seasonal hours.