October in Nelson County isn’t just about grapes.
It’s also apple season.
As the mountains turn brilliant shades of red, orange and gold, orchards across Virginia are filled with the colors and flavors of fall. For Nelson 151, that makes October the perfect time to celebrate one of the region’s most beloved harvest traditions: Virginia apples.
From the orchard to the farm stand, from the kitchen to the cider barn, apples are an unmistakable part of fall in Virginia.
And there may be no better place to enjoy them than along Nelson 151.
From Orchard to Glass
Nelson County’s agricultural heritage is one of the things that makes this part of Virginia so special.
Along and around the Nelson 151 trail, visitors can experience the connection between the land and the products that come from it. That connection is especially delicious in the fall, when apples are being harvested and local cideries are putting Virginia-grown fruit to good use.
It’s a perfect reminder that a Virginia apple can have many lives: picked fresh from the tree, baked into a pie, pressed into juice or transformed into a crisp, refreshing cider.
Apples Have a Story to Tell
Virginia has a long and fascinating apple-growing tradition, and the varieties themselves are part of that story.
Some apples are perfect for eating fresh. Others are prized for baking, cooking or cider. Virginia’s agricultural resources highlight classic varieties including York, Stayman and the historic Albemarle Pippin, among others. Nelson County has its own Ginger Gold apple, which was discovered as a chance seedling in the late 1960s following Hurricane Camille. It is believed to be a cross involving the Golden Delicious.
That diversity is part of what makes an autumn visit to Virginia’s orchards so enjoyable.
Look for the familiar. Try something you’ve never tasted. Pick up a few apples for the trip home.
And, of course, don’t forget to sample what happens when those apples meet the craft beverage makers of Nelson County.
Your Perfect Fall Apple Day
Planning a fall day on Nelson 151?
Start in the morning with a trip to a local orchard or farm market. Fill a bag with apples, enjoy the mountain scenery and pick up something seasonal to take home.
Then head down Route 151.
Stop for lunch. Explore a cidery. Visit a winery or brewery or distillery. Take a scenic drive. Find a local shop. Enjoy the changing leaves.
And somewhere along the way, make time for a glass of Virginia cider.
The beauty of Nelson 151 is that you don’t have to choose just one experience. The trail brings together craft beverages, farms and orchards, local food, artisans, lodging and some spectacular Blue Ridge scenery.