Cider Fact
"...all strong and pleasant cider excites and cleanses the stomach, strengthens digestion, and infallibly frees the kidneys and bladder from breeding gravel and stone."
John Evelyn, Pomona, 1664
From a distance, all is peace and quiet.
Special Events
2012 Special Events
March 30—April 1 Foggy Ridge Cider Spring Opening
Welcome spring with a stroll through hierloom apple orchards during Foggy Ridge's first open weekend of the season. We'll introduce our 2011 ciders, along with a new line of cider themed snacks. $5 tasting fee Friday 12-5, Saturday 11-5, Sunday 12-5
Early April—Date TBD Grafting Apple Trees
Foggy Ridge Cider
9 to 12 or 1 to 4
Learn to graft apple trees in this hands on workshop led by Carroll Master Gardeners and Cidermaker, Diane Flynt. Choose from over 25 apple varieties including many heirloom varieties from Foggy Ridge Cider's orchards. Ashmead's Kernel, Cox's Orange Pippin and Thomas Jefferson's favorite Esopus Spitzenberg will offer delicious fruit in your back yard garden. $10 covers five trees of your very own plus a snack of apple wood smoked trout with apple horseradish sauce. Call Carroll County Extension office to reserve a spot. 276 730-3110.
April 28—Farm Days with Fresh Asparagus
Foggy Ridge hosts local growers from Fat Bear Farm at our first "Farm Days" event of 2012. Take home some of Jessica and Ben's famous asparagus and early season greens, and sample cider with asparagus bread pudding and fresh pea soup. $8 covers cider tasting and treats. 11-5
May 27 (Sunday)—"Life on the Farm" Storytelling
We've found that visitors often arrive at Foggy Ridge with an appetite for authentic rural life and compelling stores about life on the farm. Join us for an afternoon of old fashioned storytelling that celebrates country life. Bring your own story, or enjoy our version of "Story Slam". Stories begin at 1:00—if you want to tell your story, give us a call and we'll reserve a slot. Otherwise, come to listen...and sample cider. $5 tasting fee. Stories are priceless.
June 16 Music, Mead and Cider
Foggy Ridge Cider and Blacksnake Meadery
Visit the back roads of southwest Virginia—sample cider and mead and enjoy local music at two unique artisans less than 2 miles apart. At Foggy Ridge, sip cider overlooking heirloom apple orchards, and enjoy mead on Blacksnake's Sippin Porch. $8 charge includes cider and mead tastings along with original music at both locations. Open 11 to 5; music 12 to 4.
www.blacksnakemead.com
June 23 —24 Mountain Road Wine Experience "Picnic Down the Parkway"
Seven Mountain Road Wine Trail Sites
Visit Foggy Ridge Cider, Villa Appalaccia, Chateau Morrisette, AmRhein Winery, Blacksnake Meadery, Attimo Winery and our newest member, Stanburn Winery, for a self-guided tasting tour featuring picnic themed treats. Expect small bites of classic picnic fare like Russian potato salad, cured meats, savory sliders and local goat cheese all paired with wine, cider and mead. Tickets can be purchased in advance or day of at any location. $25 in advance (by June 8) or $35 at the first door covers tastings and bites at all seven locations. 11 to 5 Saturday; 11 to 5 Sunday.
July 7 Farm Days with Early Season Vegetables
Foggy Ridge hosts local growers and showcases their vegetables in savory dishes, all paried with cider. Details to follow as the garden grows. $8 covers cider tasting and treats. 11-5
July 21 Music, Mead and Cider
Foggy Ridge Cider and Blacksnake Meadery
Visit the back roads of southwest Virginia—sample cider and mead and enjoy local music at two unique artisans less than 2 miles apart. $8 charge includes cider and mead tasting along with original music at both locations. Open 11 to 5; music 12 to 4.
August 11 Music, Mead and Cider
Foggy Ridge Cider and Blacksnake Meadery
Visit Foggy Ridge and nearby neighbor Blacksnake Meadery for a day of great music.Stay tuned for details on musicians, but expect a blend of blue grass, blues, gospel and folk music—sounds like something for almost everyone. $8 charge includes cider and mead tasting plus music at both locations. Open 11 to 5; music 12 to 4.
August 27 —28 Mountain Road Wine Experience "Art Down the Parkway
Seven Mountain Road Wine Trail Sites
Drive our winding roads to seven uniuqe locations all hosting local artists. Sample Primitivo wine while browsing a selection of the best local pottery. Or try out hand crafted furniture while sipping Cabernet Franc. At Foggy Ridge, expect a stupendous selection of pottery, handmade paper, photography and more from Floyd's Troika Gallery. $25 in advance (by 8/8) or $35 at the first door covers tasting and art exhibits. 11 to 5 Saturday; 11 to 5 Sunday. www.mountainroadwineexperience.com
September 15 Lambs & Clams with Border Springs Farm and Rappahannock River Oysters
We're honored to be a stop on the Lambs & Clams 2012 World Tour. Craig Rogers, shepherd, and Travis Croxton, oyster magnate, will serve up a Portugese inspired stew with, what else, lamb and clams. We'll have local music and a ton of fun. Don't miss this one! $20 includes a sample of Lambs & Clams along with a glass of cider. 12-5
October 6 Fall Open House with Dogtown Pizza
Sample Grimes Golden, Newtown Pippin, Ashmead's Kernel and Pomme Gris with nationally known apple expert, Tom Burford, at Foggy Ridge Cider's fall open house. Learn about heirloom apples and bring your own mystery apples for identification. Plus we'll have a carefully curated selection of mountain apples for sale from local growers. Enjoy Dogtown Pizza's famous artisan pizzas and fall mountain views. Cider tasting $5. Pizza $10 to $15. Open 11 to 5.
October 27 Halloween Open House
Foggy Ridge Cider & Blacksnake Meadery
Which to visit first? Doesn't matter, you'll find treats (no tricks) at both Foggy Ridge Cider and Blacksnake Mead, along with old fashioned spooks, ghosts and our own apple treats for kids and adults. Sample cider and mead, paired with tasty treats of the season. $8 covers Halloween snack and tastings at both locations. 11 to 5.
November 24 Thanksgiving Open House
Foggy Ridge Cider & Blacksnake Meadery
Prolong your Thanksgiving indulgences...or just get away from the relatives at this joint event with our close neighbor, Blacksnake Meadery. Enjoy Natasha's Famous Turkey Soup at Foggy Ridge. Blacksnake offers up treats with a honey theme.
Cider and mead, of course, at the appropriate location. $8 covers treats and tastings at both spots. And bring your late season apples for identification...there is still time to save a few uncommon apples! 11 to 5.
December 15 Holiday Open House
Foggy Ridge Cider & Blacksnake Meadery
Double the fun—sample Christmas goodies and check names off your holiday gift list at Foggy Ridge Cider and Blacksnake Meadery's holiday welcome. Sample Serious Cider, First Fruit and Sweet Stayman cider, and take home a bottle of Pippin Gold or Pippin Black dessert cider for your boss. Then enjoy mulled mead and music by the fire at Blacksnake. Save more than a dime with 10% discount on purchases of 3 bottles or more (at Foggy Ridge). Guaranteed to please. $8 covers tastings at both locations.
Contact us to list your local event featuring artisinal food.
