In 1997, owner Diane Flynt planted the first 20th century southern cider orchard with over 30 apple varieties, all chosen for the tannin, acid and complex flavors necessary for excellent hard cider. Flynt is active in the Virginia wine industry, as a member of the governor appointed Virginia Wine Board, and is on the board of the Southern Foodways Alliance. She speaks on cider and teaches workshops, and is active in the national cider community. Flynt was a James Beard Award Semi-Finalist in 2015 and 2016, and a Finalist in 2017 for Outstanding Beverage Professional.

Cidery

Foggy Ridge Cider is the South’s first farm winery to focus full-time on growing heirloom cider apples and making cider from authentic high tannin cider apples. In addition to its three orchards in the Virginia Blue Ridge Mountains, Foggy Ridge Cider operates a tasting room, an on line store and Foggy Ridge Cider is distributed in over 15 states from New York to New Orleans, and in Chicago.
Ciders Available: “First Fruit” is a rich fruity cider, rated 92 points by Wine Enthusiast magazine. “Serious Cider” is dry, crisp and chamagne-like, and “Stayman Winesap” is an off dry richly flavored cider.