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
2013 Special Events
May 18 Southwest Virginia Wine Festival
Heartwood, Abingdon, VA
Not only wine, but cider and mead plus Heartwood's Artisan Gateway full of beautful crafts from the southern Appalachians. Tickets $20. Tastings and light snacks from 1 to 5.
www.swvawinefestival.com
May 21 Vinton Wine Festival
Vinton, VA
Virginia wineries, plus Foggy Ridge, on the lawn in Vinton. New Orleans Jazz, blues from Fat Daddy Band plus the best festival food ever. $15 covers wine and cider tastings. 1 to 6
.
www.vintonwinefestival.com
May 25 —Where the Buffalo Roam
Foggy Ridge Cider & Nearby Buffalo Mountain
Come roam the Buffalo....Buffalo Mountain that is. Take a shuttle from Foggy Ridge to nearby Buffalo Mountain for a short hike that rewards with 360 degree views. You can even see the Foggy Ridge orchards! Return for local buffalo burgers, chili and cider tasting of course. $10 covers tasting and shuttle ride to and from Buffalo Mountain. Bison burgers and sides on sale at Foggy Ridge. 11 to 5
June 7 Southern Foodways Alliance Potlikker Film Festival at the Big Apple BBQ Block Party
Blue Smoke Restaurant, NYC
The Southern Foodways Alliance celebrates the annual Big Apple BBQ Block Party with films on BBQ and riffs on BBQ from some of the south's best chefs. Foggy Ridge Cider, Full Steam Brewery beer and Tito's Vodka to quench your thirst. $75 6:00—9:00
www.brownpapertickets.com
June 15 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. Listen to Folk by Association 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
July 13 Farm Days with Groundswell Farm's Edible Flowers (and more)
Sara Fennell from Groundswell Farm visits Foggy Ridge with her edible flowers, lovely flower bouquets and mid summer produce from her specialty farm near Galax. Expect treats made with said edible flowers and produce, plus great conversation with a charming farmer. $8 covers cider tasting and treats. 11-5 www.groundswellfoods.com
July 20 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. Ragtop plays and sing at Foggy Ridge while Welcome to Hoonah strums folk Americana at Blacksnake Mead. $8 charge includes cider and mead tasting along with original music at both locations. Open 11 to 5; music 12 to 4.
August 10 Music, Mead and Cider
Foggy Ridge Cider and Blacksnake Meadery
Visit Foggy Ridge and nearby neighbor Blacksnake Meadery for a day of great music. Expect singer songwriter Ron Ireland at Blacksnake with his blend of traditional, 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 31 Labor Day Duet
Roanoke's Adam Markham teams up with Wes Moore for Jazz on the Crush Pad. Enjoy orchard views and likely the aroma of fermenting cider. $8 covers music and tastings
September 21 Music, Mead and Cider
Foggy Ridge Cider and Blacksnake Meadery
Fall is in full swing and we team up again with neighbor Blacksnake Meadery. The Chris Luster Duo performs on the Blacksnake Sippin' Porch. $8 covers music and cider or mead tastings at both locations. Open 11 to 5; music 12 to 4.
October 5 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. Enjoy Dogtown Pizza's famous artisan pizzas and fall mountain views. Cider tasting $5. Pizza $10 to $15. Open 11 to 5.
October 26 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 15—23 Virginia Cider Week
Many locations throughout Virginia
Join the cider revival during CiderWeekVA at one of scores of events and at the over 100 shops and restaurants celebrating cider. www.CiderWeekVA.com
November 29—30 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 14 Holiday Open House
Foggy Ridge Cider & Blacksnake Meadery
Double the fun—enjoy a warm cup of Natasha's Butternut Squash soup 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 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. 11 to 5
Previous Events in 2012
February 23—Pruning Apple Trees
10 to 12
Learn the basics of pruning apple trees in this hands on workshop led by Pruning Expert Jon Vest. Bring your own by pass (not anvil) hand pruners and loppers. Sign up at cidermaker@foggyridgecider.com. $5 covers materials and space limited.
March 2—Charleston Wine & Food Festival "Cider Straight Up "
Cidermaker Diane Flynt and Husk restaurant's Dan Latimer talk and taste cider at the Southern Foodways Alliance Culinary Hub. Sample six ciders representing the best of the south, and hear two cider lovers opine. Sign up at Charleston Wine & Food Culinary Hub.
March 23—Grafting Apple Trees
10 to 12
Amaze your friends with the coolest skill...grafting your own apple trees. Join Jon Vest and Cidermaker Diane Flynt and learn to graft in this hands on workshop. Select from over 20 heirloom varieties including our favorites Ahsmead's Kernel and Cox's Orange Pippin. Call Floyd Extension Office to register at 540 745-9307. $10 covers several trees and materials.
April 6—7 Foggy Ridge Cider Spring Opening
Welcome spring with a stroll through hierloom apple orchards during Foggy Ridge's first open weekend of the season. $5 tasting fee Saturday 11-5, Sunday 12-5
April 13 —Grafting Apple Trees
9 to 12 OR 1 to 4
Two more opportunities to learn grafting, this time with grafting expert and raconteur Andy Bowman. Take home your very own five trees, chosen from over 20 heirloom varieties. $15 covers five trees and cider tasting. Call Carroll County Extension Office to register 276 730-3110. Space limited. Fee due at sign up.
April 27—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
Contact us to list your local event featuring artisinal food.
