Danville native to open Virginia cidery

A Danville native plans to open Virginia’s first cidery and brewpub.

John Washburn, who grew up in Ruffin, N.C., and graduated from George Washington High School in 1965, is currently building Bold Rock Cidery and Brewpub near Wintergreen in Nelson County, where he now lives. Right now, 15,000 square feet of cidery buildings and a restaurant are under construction, but eventually the cider pub will offer four varieties of hard ciders and a relaxing atmosphere nestled in the Blue Ridge countryside.

“It’s a bold project,” Washburn said. “It’s a bold idea and we call our group the ‘bold rockers.’”

Washburn and friend Brian Shanks, co-founded Bold Rock Partners Lt. in March after deciding to pursue cider, or alcoholic fermented apple juice. Shanks has more than 30 years experience in the cider business, including in New Zealand, Australia and Great Britain. Washburn, who bought a farm in Wintergreen and developed property there for about 14 years, saw an opportunity to add cider to the area’s burgeoning brewery scene.

Washburn bought a farm in New Zealand in 2000 and lived there for 10 years when friends started telling him about the microbreweries springing up back home. While in New Zealand, he had met Shanks, who was sold on the idea of opening a cidery in Virginia.

One building is already complete, and Washburn hopes to have the first cider out of the small “barn” in March. The temporary cidery will also host tastings and “to go” sales. The larger cidery and brewpub should be completed by late next year.

Floor-to-ceiling glass walls will enable visitors to see crews hauling apples for crushing, the fermentation and bottling. Customers can drink cider while watching, including from an upstairs gallery.

Washburn estimates the cidery would crush between 10,000 and 16,000 bushels of apples a year, depending on demand. He plans to use Virginia-grown apples mostly from Nelson County orchards. Local cider apples include Harrison, winesap, Granny Smith and Arkansas.

Washburn aims for the cidery and brewpub to become a place for both locals and tourists to hang out and have fun.

“It feels like a little bit of an adventure to go out to these places,” he said.

After $5 million in investment, he hopes the cidery becomes a “landmark” in Virginia, especially as more people become interested in trying and drinking hard cider. According to an Advertising Age story, cider may be seen as the next “craft brew” as sales rose 25 percent this past year.

Last year, Danville’s Office of Economic Development began efforts to recruit a brewpub, selling craft beer, downtown. Most residents who answered a survey said they would patronize a brewpub.

“I would love to see a microbrewery in Danville,” Washburn said in response to the city’s efforts.

He advises making the craft beer on-site with the pub to have the most successful endeavor. Additionally, the brewery has to be visible and the place needs to have “character.” Washburn said he would be willing to help or talk with someone financially capable and serious about opening a Danville brewpub.