Photo courtesy of Virginia Wine
Celebrate Virginia Cider Week with a special tasting event at Lloyd House in Old Town Alexandria on Nov. 22.
While autumn is apple harvest season, it’s also the time to celebrate the fruits of that labor during Virginia Cider Week, which takes place November 16-23 with events throughout the state.
Cider was a colonial beverage dating to Virginia’s earliest days, and that tradition has continued for centuries. Virginia is currently the sixth-largest apple producing state by acreage in the United States.
Virginia apples — more than 30 varieties — are grown in mountainous regions, including the Blue Ridge Mountains and the Shenandoah Valley. Cideries can be found from rural to urban locations, with cider sold in bottles, cans, and kegs.
The Virginia General Assembly took note of this growing industry in 2012 when it designated the full week before Thanksgiving as Cider Week in Virginia. Since then, cideries across the state have celebrated with festivals, tastings, pairing dinners, workshops, and open houses at venues throughout the state. You can find a complete list of events here.
Since 2021, cider has joined wine as part of the Virginia Governor’s Cup competition. The 2025 Cider of the Year award went to the Daring Wine & Cider Company for its Crab Apple Blend.
Virginia Cider Trail
You can explore Virginia cideries with the Virginia Cider Trail — a free, mobile pass that lets you check in at over 30 cideries statewide. Once you download the pass, you can start using it to collect points with each visit to redeem for exclusive prizes while experiencing the unique flavors of Virginia cider.
Alexandria Cider Festival
You can also celebrate Virginia Cider Week with a special tasting event on the grounds of historic Lloyd House in Old Town Alexandria. Event tickets include cider tastings, a souvenir glass, live music, tavern games, access to a food truck — all with a splash of history.
The outdoor event will be held Saturday, Nov. 22 from 1-5 p.m. Proceeds from the Cider Festival will benefit Historic Alexandria museums. You can find complete details and purchase tickets here.
