News & Press

Silent Book Club

Sip cider and read in quiet camaraderie. No assigned reading, no obligations. Bring your own book of choice. This is a free social event hosted in our Orchard Room, now the first Sunday of the month.

From the official website of Silent Book Club:

"At Silent Book Club, there's no assigned reading. All readers are welcome—ebooks,  textbooks, comic books... it's BYOBook. Friends and strangers gather at a set time and location, order food or drinks, share what they're reading, and settle in for an hour of silent, sustained reading. At the end of the hour, attendees can socialize—or not! 

Note: this event is not truly silent. Chips are eaten, pages are turned, soft lofi music is played, and there are ambient bar sounds in the next room. Noise cancelling headphones are recommended if background sounds will disrupt your read

Schedule:
12:30 Arrive early to order food/ drinks/ chat
1-2pm Reading - bring whatever book you feel like reading 
Afterwards: Mingle (or keep reading)

We are excited to be Charlottesville's second chapter of Silent Book Club, an international organization bringing bibliophiles together. You can read about the experience in Cville Weekly's "Tried it in Cville Column" thanks to talented local journalist Kristie!

Upcoming dates: First Sunday of the Month

 

Irish Music : Aaron Olwell & Friends Enjoy this energetic and eclectic Irish jam session every 2nd Sunday of the month. Patrick & Aaron Olwell and friends play their fine renditions of traditional tunes all afternoon. Light bites and hard cider will be available for purchase by the glass, bottle, or flight.
Outside food is welcome; feel free to bring a picnic! 

Microwedding & Vow Renewal Day Microwedding & Vow Renewal Day

If your in the process of planning a wedding, and landing somewhere between “Let’s just go to the courthouse!” and “I want a little wedding magic,” we’re right there with you

Our Microwedding & Vow Renewal Day is designed for couples who want to say “I do” (or “I still do”) in a way that feels meaningful, beautiful, and a little whimsical - without the overwhelm & expense of planning a big wedding. This is a great fit for couples who aren’t wedded to the idea of a traditional modern wedding - and who think it’s kind of fun to bump into other newlyweds at the bar

Exchange vows in a private, picturesque setting beneath the arbor in our orchard, then return to the Cidery lawn to celebrate with your favorite people. We’ll take care of the core wedding details so you won't have any wedding fomo & can focus on what matters most: the vows, the people you love, and having a really wonderful day together

 

When

Date: November 14, 2026
Ceremony Times: 30-minute ceremony slots throughout the day
Reception Tent Access: 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM

Your Microwedding Package Includes

• A private ceremony beneath our Orchard Arbor. Your ceremony will be thoughtfully tailored to you. Choose your vows from a collection curated by Rev. Kate, with secular and religious options, as well as meaningful traditions such as a ring warming, grounding moment, ect. 
• Your own reception tent on the Cidery lawn, with seating for up to 12 (the couple + up to 10 guests)
• 10 professional ceremony photographs, with additional images available for purchase afterward
• A build-your-own bouquet bar
• A 2 person wedding cake for the newlyweds, in chocolate or vanilla (bring your own topper!)
• A celebratory bottle of cider

Investment

$850 per couple

[reserve your space here - we'll reach out with a questionaire to get all your preferences]

Meet Your Coordinator

This event is organized by our Director of Events & Marketing, Effie, who got married here, at this event, by Kate, last June!

After years of working weddings & planning events, Effie knew she wanted something low pressure for her own. She wanted to elope, but not without a few family members & friends, a photographer, and some cake. Effie & her now husband loved their experience, and how it felt so real and also so easy

Email Events@AlbemarleCiderWorks.com for more info!

Meet Your Officiant

Rev. Kate Adamson has been officiating weddings for more than 10 years and loves creating ceremonies filled with meaning, awe, and laughter

As an interfaith minister, Kate welcomes couples of all backgrounds and curates ceremonies centered on the power of love

__________________________

Photo credit: Amy Mitchell Photography

Live Music in the Orchard: The Pollocks

The Pollocks are led by Jason Pollock, former guitarist, and songwriter for Seven Mary Three. In the mid-1990s, Jason penned such hits as "Cumbersome" and "Water's Edge", sold a few million albums, and toured extensively.

Jason's new band was formed in 2014 when a friend told him that he needed to get back into the game. The music can best be described as American rock, with the right amount of soul: The Rolling Stones meets Jefferson Airplane. There's some Velvet Underground, Bob Dylan, The Beatles, and Neil Young thrown in for good measure.

Heirloom Apple Tasting

Of course, you’ve heard of Granny Smith and Red Delicious, but what about Esopus Spitzenburg and Belle de Boskoop? At Albemarle CiderWorks, we cultivate over 250 unique apple varieties, and we want to share them with you! 

Join our CEO, in-house apple expert and studied historian, Charlotte Shelton on a journey through culinary history and the apples that made the cut. While you taste a variety of unique and heirloom apples, Charlotte will treat you to the story of each fruit, its origin, development, and how each shines best on the table (and in the bottle). From Arkansas Black to Zabergau Reinette, this unique experience offers an elevated look at apples from across the pages of history and the globe.

Tastings will begin at 11am on all dates and run for about an hour.

Available dates include:

• Sunday, October 18th (National Apple Day!)
• Sunday, October 25th
• Saturday, November 15th

Tickets Include:

• Tasting of 6-8 rotating fruit varieties*
• ½ peck of apples to take home* (~5lbs)

Please contact events@albemarleciderworks.com for large group (8+) reservations

*Varieties dependent on season and availability

BOOK A TASTING

Bulk Juice Sale [Heirloom Cider-Apples]

Calling all home cidermakers - grab your carboys! We're crushing heirloom apple varieties, for bulk unpasteurized juice, blended specifically for cider making. 

Throughout the year, we get questions about purchasing cider apples, or unpasteurized juice that yields great cider. For the first time, we're hosting  a bulk cider sale. This juice will include varieties of apple used here in our cider, perfect for fermenting your own small-batch hard cider. 

• Please bring your own sanitized carboys or food-safe containers. We recommend sanitizing with Star San or a similar no-rinse sanitizer before arriving
• Pickup will be drive-through style for a quick and easy loading experience
• After you've picked up your juice, park, grab a glass of cider from the Tasting Room, and stay awhile! Meet fellow home cidermakers, swap tips, and enjoy an afternoon with the cider community
• We'll know the specific apple varieties closer to harvest!

Schedule

Pre-Order Pickup: 11:00 am - 12:00 pm
First Come, First Served: 12:00 pm - 2:00 pm
[afterwards] spend the afternoon drinking cider!

Fresh-pressed cider is $11 per gallon (3-gallon minimum purchase, containers not included)

Planning a Large Order?
Planning to purchase 20 gallons or more? Advance notice helps us press the correct amount of juice. Call the Tasting Room @ (434)297-2326 or shoot us an email at Events@AlbemarleCiderWorks.com to place a pre-order

Live Music in the Orchard: Mojo Pie

Grab a glass and join us for live music by Mojo Pie!

Mojo Pie was created when Susan Munson invited Frank Bechter to a songwriters workshop, and they've been bringing harmonies to wineries, restaurants and events in Central Virginia ever since. Both have been featured artists in Charlottesville's First Night Virginia and Jason Burke's Six-Pack Songwriter Series, and they make up 2/3 of the acoustic trio Oh Wow, Boy! Susan also rocks many a stage with Alligator, Jeebus, and Mama Tried, as does Frank with Das Homage, The Good Guys, and Her Checkered Past

UVA Planetarium Constellation Tours

Come learn about the stars and planets from the Dark Skies, Bright Kids (DSBK) portable planetarium! We will be giving constellation tours, traveling to the center of the universe and doing our best to answer all of your questions about space!

Tour times are: 1pm, 2pm & 3pm.

Note: Our July 19th Planetarium Visit has been postponed

Live Music In The Orchard: Her Checkered Past

Come share a Cider with friends, we have the sound and beverages to sooth and satiate your mind and palate.

Enjoy live music by Her Checkered Past. Join Anne O'Brien and Frank Bechter in the orchard for some live music that will warm your heart. This duo will keep you humming along to popular songs. The cider will be flowing so bring a thirst and treat yourself to a little relaxation.