Tom Burford is the scion of an old Virginia family who were orchardists for generations in Amherst County and is a connection of the Sheltons who also hail from Amherst. His Burford Brothers Nursery was the source of the first trees the Sheltons planted at their Rural Ridge Farm in Albemarle County. His work has been the inspiration for Rural Ridge Orchard and Vintage Virginia Apples. Both he and the Sheltons see Albemarle CiderWorks as a logical extension of their interest in vintage apples. His Apples: A Catalog of International Varieties has been the motivating force informing numerous small orchards across the country. His Apples of North America: Exceptional Varieties for Growers, Gardeners and Cooks, published by Timber Press, won the 2014 American Horticulture Society Book Award. He consults with many historic properties and individual property owners nationwide and occasionally internationally. His expertise and enthusiasm has earned him the soubriquet "Professor Apple." He teaches classes and workshops on grafting, apple tastings,pruning, and a wide variety of other related subjects. Vintage Virginia Apples is proud to call him our own.
