NELLYSFORD, VA—Bold Rock Hard Cider has announced the opening date of its brand new Cider Barn. The newly constructed taproom, located in the scenic countryside of Nelson County, Virginia, will be a showcase destination for the emerging craft cider producer.
Those who drink Bold Rock products will recognize the impressive barn-style building from the sketch on the company’s cider bottles. It was the vision of Bold Rock co-owner John Washburn’s wife Robin, who drew the initial sketch, and it’s been carried out with precise attention to detail. The inside of the $6 million tasting room features a gorgeous combination of rustic wood and stone, holding a dramatic fireplace and 600 native oak beams. A particularly stunning 150-year-old, 6,000-pound beam is engraved with the Bold Rock motto: “Be Bold. Tread Lightly. Make It Happen.”
Visitors can now fully see where it all happens. The main tasting room and restaurant sits next to the Bold Rock bottling facility, separated only by a huge glass window so guests can view the cider-making process. “We don’t want to hide the production,” says additional co-owner Brian Shanks. “We want people to see how cider is made, warts and all.”
“This building is an education tool,” adds Washburn. “But it’s also a place where people can drink in the scenery.”
Enjoying Bold Rock cider at the taproom will indeed be a full experience. A large rear deck—built with a stage area for live music—overlooks the Rockfish River, as well as plenty of open green space for enjoying the vast farmland on Bold Rock’s 50-acre property and surrounding Blue Ridge Mountains. Guests can eat from a menu of local, farm-fresh food and enjoy handcrafted, locally produced cider in a scenic, family-friendly setting.
Bold Rock is one of the fastest growing cider companies on the East Coast. Headquartered in Nellysford, and located just 15 minutes from their providing orchard, Bold Rock produces two hard ciders and two wines. As Virginia’s largest winery, the company is quickly ramping up distribution across the country, now delivering across the Mid-Atlantic and Southeast from Pennsylvania through North Carolina.
The Cider Barn will be open seven day a week, from 11 a.m. – 6 p.m.