Potter's Craft Cider

This place is a gem. In a picturesque wooded setting, at the end of a winding drive sits a 102 year old, beautifully preserved stone farmhouse. Inside, we found a warm friendly atmosphere and a live band playing on a Sunday afternoon. An array of Potter's ciders were being served along with a good but limited selection of food. Girl scouts had a table in the corner, and several families had kids, a few of whom were playing outside in the remnants of snow. There was a really nice, welcoming, casual atmosphere, and I'll definitely come again.

There are a lot of great ciders along 29 and 151 but this is in the running for best. These aren’t those sweet bottles you find in the grocery store, dry and creative flavors. The food is great, I recommend the Cuban, it’s amazing. Grounds are vast and there’s a lot of live music there.

We stopped here on a Saturday evening in early March while traveling. We shared a flight but did not have any food. Parking was crowded and you have to walk up a trail to get to the building. There’s a drive way you can drive up to drop people off though. The line to order was long but moved at a reasonable pace. The staff were friendly. There was live music performing in the main level. We sat upstairs at a table so it was a little quieter up there but they were pretty full. The cider was good. I liked the strawberry ginger the most of the 4 we had. There were a few kids running around. I find this to be a bit inconsiderate of parents when the place is jam packed and the kids are on the loose. I’m not saying don’t bring your kids, but have some situational awareness. It looks like they have some outdoor space. It was too cold and windy to be outside on the night we were there. Overall this was a good experience.

Didn't have food, but the area is always lovely, though the turn to make the route in is easy to miss... '0.3m Potter's Craft Cider's' means literally turn right/left NOW!! But I digress, it is worth the u-turn to visit if you enjoy English style cider's.

Stopped in on our way home from stops at other cideries around Nellysford. Great atmosphere, beautiful restored old church setting. The ciders are excellent, haven't tried the food yet but plenty of folks around us seemed to be enjoying it.

My GF and I stopped here as part of the Charlottesville Ale Trail to collect our stamp. The outdoor space was remarkable and very large. We parked down the hill and walked up the path. We ordered a flight of ciders and an order of hummus. I'm not typically a fan of Hummus, but this Hummus had amazing flavor and texture. The staff were very kind and super helpful. I don't know everyone's names. They were all amazing. An emloyee, Ms. Deena was a wealth of knowledge, and we enjoyed very much speaking with her. We hope to stop in town again one day to visit.

Potter’s is absolute perfection every. single. time. Been going there since the grand opening (magical evening) and each time it’s a delight. The customer service is always fantastic; everyone I’ve interacted with has always been friendly and helpful. On they weekends they typically have food trucks and live music which only enhances the entire experience. Not to mention the grounds and beautifully restored stone church are the perfect setting to enjoy some of their wonderfully dry ciders. Check this place out…you won’t regret it.

We love Potter’s! They have an incredibly cozy and welcoming tasting room space and also a wonderful outdoor area with bistro string lights. The charm and character of the 100 year old stone house is fun to just admire on its own, but the cider is great too (and dry!)

What a cool spot! Perched on the top of a hill, at the end of a partially paved road, sits this cool stone building with vaulted ceilings. A roaring menu with many consistents, ample seating and friendly staff, Potter's offers a unique and proximal location to grab some great cider. I believe all of their ciders are also made without added sugar so it doesn't taste anything like the mass produced bottles options. Live music, an indoor and outdoor stage, fire pits, and a variety of board games, this is a great getaway. The bar is often tended to by two, but the line is slow moving on busy nights. Be sure to get there early or plan accordingly. The are also limited food options that you can order from your table to make things a bit easier. Definitely a must do on your Cville visit/stay.

This is my first time ever trying this place. While I have seen its products for quite some time in local stores, I have never actually been to the restaurant/cidery physical location. It did not disappoint. It was nestled in the middle of the woods right off the side of 250. It was quite charming even though the hill you had to climb to get to the top was incredibly daunting. Even though I am not a massive cider fan the selections they had were quite impressive and the one we chose was quite delicious. I would drink it again.

I love Potter's Cider so I'm glad I finally had the chance to visit the cidery. I was hoping to sit outside and enjoy the views, but it was so windy on this Friday evening in March. That didn't seem to stop everyone else from sitting outside. Then again, they didn't have the wardrobe malfunction that I did... There's indoor seating with small and large tables (they could use more small ones for solo and small parties) and additional seating upstairs. I started upstairs but quickly migrated back downstairs because the music was too loud, and my primary reason for visiting was to listen to a new album, but the ambient music drowned out my headphones. While unfortunately there more people were downstairs, the music was quieter. Drinks can only be ordered at the register (such a bummer), but there are QR codes on the tables for ordering food. There are also chips and other small bites available. (Check the expiration date first, though, because some of the chips were expired.) I opted for some pesto chips which were $10 for 3.5oz so a bit expensive. I wouldn't have minded if they were actually good. The pesto missed the bag. I built my own cider flight consisting of Cider Nouveau, Strawberry Ginger, Mangose's Revenge, and Highland. No complaints. I'm a cider fan so there aren't too many that I dislike. I ironically wore my cowboy boots that day but unbeknownst to me, it was square dance night. I wish I had prior knowledge because I would've planned accordingly and made time to participate. I follow them on Instagram so not sure how I missed out. The band was doing their thing and sounded great!

My boyfriend and I really liked spending a few hours here on a Friday evening. There's plenty of outdoor seating and it's dog friendly! The snack plate was pleasantly full and way better than snack plates I've had at other wineries before. Ciders were yummy and there were a few unique flavors to try in the flight. Overall great experience at Potters and I would come back!

The venue is gorgeous. I wish I had my dog the day we went but he had other plans. We went during an open mic night wish was super fun - a guy played a song called "Space Cat" and it was brilliant. I wasn't a fun of the cider - too hoppy and not my style.

The mortadella sandwich was INSANE, so insanely good, I would definitely order it again. My table also got the charcuterie board which was tasty, and the flights as always were amazing. The cider did get warm a lot quicker since they moved from the glass cups to plastic though which is a bummer (and so much worse for the environment etc etc, hence only 4 stars rather than 5!) The line to order alcohol moved rather slow and it took a long time for the food to come out, but being able to order via QR code was rather efficient and appreciated. The bartenders were also super friendly and helpful The ambiance is amazing. The outdoors has plenty of patio seating and grassy areas, everything is clean. The indoors are beautiful too. What I loved was that they had games that you could borrow and play while drinking and talking, overall such a fun place to go with your friends to just hang out and vibe.

Love that this cidery is only a short drive away from Charlottesville. Really pretty indoor and outdoor space (but not a lot of shade in the summer). Outdoor food and drink are allowed- just no alcohol! But the food is reasonably priced and quite tasty. We ordered a few of their sandwiches and the spicy Italian was amazing (and hearty). Food is ordered through QR codes on tables and you go up to the bar to purchase any cidery. Bring your own sides (we brought potato chips, watermelon, and popsicles) for a fun lunch spread!

Since I'm an RVA Elite I'll call this a jaunt barely an hour away and absolutely worth it! Y'all have likely had Potter's at Ellwood Thompson's, Wegmans, Whole Foods... come see where it's made. This is a wonderful oasis up a hill, down a dirt road and you're going to think what the heck ?? Then you get there and it is absolutely delightful! Eclectic music mix ... everything from bossa nova to old school hip-hop (think Hypnotize, No Diggety). Even back further! Hip hop hooray (for us Gen x'ers lol) Shade seating , sunshine seating, friendly service, food (ice cream vendor today) inside and out (a great food truck today also (shout out to #twistedbiscuits who made a arugula-heavy and heavenly fig-pig cheesy lunch offering since sadly I had forego the biscuit). This establishment also can host events, (they have a private indoor space) and pretty large grounds if outdoor is preferred. And let's not forget the cider!! I sampled four, and if you are not yet an aficionado, cider is not just baby apple juice cider. I had various types on my recent trip to New England and let's just say that flavors and aromas vary extensively. I enjoyed the Harrison which was well-described as having cinnamon and clove undertones. The strawberry ginger was definitely ginger on the nose. Refreshing! The oak barrel, which I thought would be a little deeper was actually light but nice. The flight is a great way to get to know what they've got and many take home options available. Venture here Richmond friends! while our city is wonderful, in just a quick hop skip and jump, you'll arrive. This is essentially a teeny weekend outing. Heck, it take sometimes an hour just to get across town.

What better place to celebrate Colleen and Michael's wedding than at one of their favorite haunts while they were dating?! Potter's lived up to everything they could have expected for their wedding day; romantic ambience, delicious cider and a dance floor that could take the party deep into the night. We also confirmed that cider (especially Pomme Sauvage) pairs really well with Farmacy's amazing spread! Lauren and her team did an amazing job making sure the wedding and the cider flowed freely throughout the night and we can't wait to get back there tonight to Wassail!

Such a fun spot to come to in Charlottesville! Something about this place makes me feel like I'm on a picnic (even when I'm drinking inside). It's a very charming spot and they even offer live music on some nights. The walk up from the parking lot isn't too bad. They offer accessibility parking at the top too. It's a cute and casual place to come. I find myself coming here on trips to Cville more than I'd expect. They offer drier ciders which is nice for those who don't like sweet. This place is good for groups or for one on ones. There is a lot of seating options inside and outside so you're bound to find a spot to sit down. My favorite cider here is the Passionfruit Mosaic. It's the IDEAL summertime drink. I love the soury tang and hops it has. When I came here with a group of five girlfriends, Sam (the server/bartender) was incredible. He let us try multiple flavors and offered fun explanations for the ciders when we asked. The people who work here are amazing (especially Sam)! Potter's Craft Cider is a delightful stop on a Cville trip.

Lovely way to spend a Sunday. They had live music and delicious ciders. I also appreciated some gluten free snacks!

5 stars for atmosphere. 2 stars for ciders. Way in the woods (on a dirt road) and climb a hill to get to the place. There is a food truck with a few options if you are hungry. The ciders are in cans and on draft. Very dry, not sweet. There is a inside seating area but outside is the great part. Very woodsy and secluded. They had live music kind of bluesy jazz. Made it a little hard to talk.

Beautiful area Set up for one (maybe sometimes more) bands Doesn't really taste like the ciders I am used to. Not really a fan of the boozes here. Not a fan of the choice of music they had today (slo jazz )

As a sucker for an old building and a dry cider, I enjoy this Potter's location, even if it's a little out there. It's a renovated stone church which is very cute and spacious. There's a nice outdoor space that is dog friendly and our coonhound enjoyed it. We enjoy most all the ciders and especially enjoyed that they weren't syrupy sweet. My favorite is the strawberry ginger. The apples are locally sourced and they are clearly in touch with the Charlottesville community. Usually a food truck on the weekends, too. While busy, it was not super packed despite being a nice day, we were able to find a good seat.

Fantasic location for an evening out! This is a family-friendly venue with indoor & outdoor seating as well as live music options (check their events schedule). It's important to note that their ciders are all dry and have no sugars - very different from other local options. I typically go for sweeter ciders but I still enjoyed my flight with Peach Citra, Farmhouse Dry, and Passionfruit Mosaic. There aren't a whole lot of food options on site, but they do have build-your-own charcuterie boards and appear to be ok with people bringing in food from outside. I can see us coming back here frequently.

Huge outdoor space. Love that they offer wine in addition to cider. Very dog friendly. Tables and chairs were interestingly sized. Was sitting way too low to the ground. Wish they had heaters outside since inside is so small. Wasn't bad overall just been to better.

Had an amazing afternoon here today. The property is gorgeous, the staff lovely, and the ciders are as awesome as they dry. If you want some super sweet juicy commercial cider you will be disappointed... the cider here is dry but sophisticated. Also their snack mix is top notch. Took home two bags. Bonus points for being super kid friendly and helpful navigating their tasting menu.

Beautiful property! They craft amazing ciders! If you're also looking for a place to bring your dog while you drink, this is the place to be! But they only allow them outside.

This place is truly a gem. It is conveniently located about 15 minutes from town. The cider here is not what you would expect if you are used to only drinking Bold Rocks or Angry Orchards. It has less of a bubbly flavor and more of just pure apple goodness. We each got the two flights that were offered, the traditional one with the flagships and the more fruitier one with the seasonals. It was worth trying them all if you are a first timer like us, but my husband and I definitely enjoyed the fruitier packed flight to the traditional. This location also offers a small menu of snacks, sandwiches, and 3 entrees. We tried the Mac and cheese and the Thai chicken curry. The food was okay. I would not get it again, just because the portions were pretty small and the curry was more of a curry flavoring/seasoning than the usual curry sauce that we were expecting. With that being said, it was nice that they had food offerings though! Lastly, the location is divine. I believe the tasting room used to be an old church that they remolded. The whole vibe is very "farmhouse classy" and they even have an upstairs that would be great for private parties!! Oh and did I mention this place is very dog friendly?! Friendly tip: if you have issues walking uphill, you should drive to the top of the tasting room and drop off there. The parking lot is below the tasting room and is a small walk uphill to the tasting room itself. Overall this place is fantastic. I definitely cannot wait to be back!

I'm really on the fence how many stars to give this place. On one hand, the ciders were good, and I'm not even much of a cider person. The setting is gorgeous - this old converted building is just lovely. Unfortunately it was too cold to walk around, but I am told if you do the area around it is very pretty and has artwork scattered about. The downside is the fact that they really don't have food. We kind of sort of knew that before coming here, but their menu was a six dollar ham biscuit. So we each had two ham biscuits. It was country ham, so it was very salty. But I guess this was our mistake.

Not much for ambiance, food, or beverages. Ciders are fair, nothing I'd buy in a store. One and done for me.

I've always been a fan of Potter's Craft Cider so I am excited that they have opened a permanent tasting room right outside of Charlottesville. The space is located in a former church which offers expansive space, high ceilings, and several seating areas with various table sizes for large and small groups. There was a live jazz band in the afternoon and I believe is a staple on the weekends. The tasting room serves several ciders on tap at very reasonable prices: the small flight sized glasses are $2.50-3 (and you can build your own flight of 4!) and larger glasses are $5-6. The ciders are overall on the dry side, and they offer some unique flavors that you can't find in store or by the can. They currently have "Island Time" themed flavors, and I really enjoyed their Pineapple Coconut which reminded me a bit of a dry white wine but still held that apple flavor with hints of tropical flavors and not too sweet. I also loved that they offer "cidermosas" - you can choose any of the drafts as your base! For food, they have a menu of shareable plates and sandwiches - little pricey for the size but the two dishes we got (pub cheese and smoked trout dip) were tasty. The chicharrones had a balanced salt and vinegar flavor that went well with the pub cheese, and the trout dip was creamy and smokey and came with veggies and bread. Overall, great spot close to town - can't wait to see what it's like to sit outside in the spring!!

Atmosphere (5/5): This modern, charming place is an old stone renovated church and really lovely. Plenty of large communal and small tables abound in this multi room place. Outdoor seating space is quite charming, too. Service (4/5): They just opened and I don't think they anticipated the large crowds on the weekend that discovered this gem. The lines to get a simple refill were long and you have to get your own food (there's a simple pager system to pick up your food.) they gain an extra star for the friendly staff, that are accommodating and kind. Food (3/5): They don't have much of a kitchen so the food is either simple or brought in locally. The servings, for the price, aren't great. And the wait is long, so don't expect fast service. We ordered the beer cheese dip with Chicharrónes. It was good, but the serving of cheese was small. The party mix www delicious, gluten free, but for $5, not a great deal. The sandwich was good, but we waited almost 15 mins for it. The cider itself was amazing! We tried 9 different types and loved almost all of them. I loved how the 10 oz pours are $5-$7 each and are served in a tall wine glass.

Excellent ciders, great selection, and the space is such a well designed place to spend time (with kids or without.) I love coming here, especially when you can sit outside. Highly recommend.

Potters has become one of my favorite places to visit, and bring out of town friends. The tap room is only a year and a half old, so you can impress even the friends who are cville pros from having gone to school here. The cider is phenomenal, with lots of dry options. I love how the ciders are rotated regularly so there's always something new to try. Recently there have been concerts on the weekends, which you can reserve a spot for or just stop by. (If you don't have a reservation just make sure to get there early!) Very good for distancing, kid and dog friendly, and always great food from the food trucks! If you haven't been yet, definitely add this to your list.

Very cute cidery along route 29's winery scene that gives wedding-esque vibes. We went midday so got a decent view of the mountains but it seems like evening/nighttime is definitely the better time to go because they bring in food trucks and live music to enjoy in their outdoor area that has plenty of seating/space/cute lights. Great variety of ciders to choose from and snacks for purchase that are reasonably priced. Staff wasn't very friendly but interaction with them was limited. Outdoor area is dog friendly!

Can't believe I've lived here for years and never been to this place! Great outdoor seating and distanced ordering. The cider is phenomenal and the flights are a great deal at $12 for three. They have fun snacks available - we got a fresh local cheese box that was great - and there were food trucks as well. The music was really fun and at a great volume where we could still carry a conversation. This is a great stop for anyone who loves cider.

First time at Potters and loved it! Tucked away but just ten minutes from downtown charlottesville, this place was beautiful. The old building had an awesome charm and I loved the outdoor space with patio tables and an open lawn for activities like live music and workout classes. I got a flight of 3 ciders for $12. The employees were very knowledgeable in describing the ciders to help us choose. I tried their new El Fuerte, passion fruit and barrel aged ciders!

Not my favorite cider we tried a couple different flavors but none had any taste all appeared to taste like carbonated water. Going to have to try this place again down the road since they had some good reviews that drove us here.

I'm loving the "pop-up" scene! We were waiting for our table next door at the pizza shop and was suggested to stop in for a cider experience. We went with the flight which consisted of 4 different ciders for $10. What a great experience! All of the ciders had its own unique taste. It was a fun and neat little shop filled with artwork and plenty of seating. I loved the vibe of the space. Overall, good experience if you're a cider lover.

I love Potter's proximity to downtown Charlottesville, yet it feels so far away! You drive down a nondescript unpaved road through the woods to arrive at this charming spot. The ciders are delicious, and not overly sweet like most other ciders. Social distancing guidelines were enforced throughout. Randomly a MASSIVE bee flew into my drink and an employee so kindly got me a replacement right away no questions asked.

Potter's is nestled basically in its own little world. Masks are required for entry! COVID procedures have been put in place. Nice socially distanced activity. Plenty of outdoor tables staff will seat you. They have a good truck & also have events. We decided to give Potter's a try while in the area. The cider was a little more on the dry side than I was expecting. The pricing is decent. The scenery is nice and the staff was friendly. You can do curbside pickup. Dogs are allowed on a leash! They offer non-alcoholic drinks like hot or cold cider. I had the cranberry orange blossom cider, it was more on the sweeter side but still a little too dry for my liking. All in all cool place to venture to.

I absolutely love the Potter's Craft Cider Tasting room. The ambiance is spectacular, especially during the Spring and Summer. We came on a Thursday night, and they were having a phenomenal deal of $10-15 carafes of draft cider. Needless to say, we took advantage and tried both the peach crita, strawberry ginger, and grapefruit hibiscus ciders. The grapefruit hibiscus was the favorite of the night, perfectly tangy with just a hint of floral sweetness from the hibiscus. The other two varieties were also delicious. The strawberry ginger was sweet and very ginger forward, and the peach citra had a bit more of a bite to it but a really lovely peach aftertaste. The food options are fairly limited. Potters does sell a small selection of charcuterie for a "build your own board" style meal, but I would recommend just bringing your own food, which is completely allowed unlike some other tasting rooms. However, always check out their Instagram before taking a trip, because they might have a delicious food truck waiting for you.

We love this place. Charlottesville has some of the best dry cider in the country try and Potter's Craft is a contender. They have some of the better creative flavored ciders as compared to local competitors. Not all of them hit the mark but they are fun to try. Last time we were there they had a fun pairing with costs and Girl Scout cookies--the creativity was great and the pairings surprisingly good. They usually have some good food trucks on weekends--pizza, ramen etc. The fire pits can be a little annoying. I think they were burning wet spruce wood the last time we were there and the smoke was a bit overwhelming. Maybe get some dryer, less strong smelling wood next time around. Otherwise wonderful place.

We ended up visiting Potter's "pop-up" tasting room next to Lampo while waiting for a table. They share the space with a local art collective, but are there pretty regularly. We've had Potter's before and knew it was great cider. A very friendly and knowledgeable bartender walked us through their offerings and we picked four ciders for a $10 tasting. You can sit inside or out on the patio on a nice day, and they have some board games if that's what you're into. The ciders are all good - we particularly liked the farmhouse blend - and we love their marketing. The menu's tasting notes are pretty accurate if you're not sure what to get. If you're on the waitlist at Lampo or looking for something different to do in Belmont, definitely give this spot a try.

Potter's is one of Cville's gems. They have an amazing tasting room and their staff is always so kind and welcoming. The cider is top notch and they are always releasing something new and fun, like cranberry orange blossom, cherry vanilla, strawberry ginger and more. They host live music and food trucks regularly too. This is of our very favorite spots.

Cute little place in Cville! Glad I decided to give it a try when waiting for Lampo seats. Vibe is artsy and hipster. Only two tables inside but plenty of seating in the patio. There's always new ciders on draft and the tasting room associates are helpful and friendly. Ciders are dry and minimally sweet, but the flavors are super unique. My favorite is the guava galaxy. It's refreshing and has a nice sweet aftertaste. The blueberry lemongrass was pretty good, but the lemongrass smell is a little overwhelming and hides the blueberry taste. Prices are good. Some board games in the tasting room, but not a whole lot of choices especially for two people.

We loved Potter's even when they were a tiny pop-up in the art studio next to Lampo, but dang have they traded up! We love everything about their new setup--the stunning stone building, the huge lawn for live music and picnics, the food trucks, the patio where you can rent a fire pit for $25 in the winter, and the proximity to North Grounds. The new Potter's tasting room is just 10 minutes off North Grounds, making it a lot more accessible than most of the wineries, breweries, and cideries surrounding Charlottesville. We also are huge fans of how dry the ciders are, and how committed they are to local sourcing. On their menu, you'll not only see they're using local apples, but also partnering with local wineries for unique flavors and with local kombucha and cold brew coffee shops for alternative beverage offerings. Potter's has quickly become a staple in the UVA graduate community--and very timely so, with the open air environment being a saving grace during COVID-19.

Had a great experience at my first cidery! I was worried they would be too sweet for my tastse but I liked every cider on my flight! Highly recommend the POG!

Our early Sunday afternoon visit to Potter's was the highlight of our weekend visit to Charlottesville. We had a fine time sitting on a table on a large lawn adjacent to the building containing the tasting room; the site is on a scenic hillside just southwest of town. We ordered three sampling flights, getting small tastes of nine ciders, all of which were distinctive and some of which were awesome. (Warning: some of the ciders have a high alcoholic content, and a little bit of several of them can pack a punch.) We also ate some snacks and listened to the music from a DJ. Our dog joined us as well, although he only got water to drink.

We decided to come try a tasting for my friends birthday. For the adventurous bunch, you can get a flight for 10 dollars, and if you already know what you like, then one tall glass is 6 dollars. I ordered a flight of the peach, oak, cranberry, and cherry vanilla. Hands down, my favorite was the peach and cranberry, and the other members of my party said the oak was also good (and has that high alc percentage). All of the drinks were chilled and filled to the brim! The seatings is very minimal - just a couple of foldable chairs. In the corner, they also have a couple of games that you have play. If they step up some of the decor, I can definitely see this place being a great date spot!

Their ciders were average but their Christmas sweater tasted like pure alcohol no cider.

A wide variety of tempting ciders in a rustic setting. We enjoyed two tasting flights and thought most were exceptional and uniquely flavorful. Our favorite was the Highland which is aged in whisky barrels ... yum! It was a cold day so we opted to stay indoors and it was relaxing. There was a DJ playing outside and also a food truck on-site. The staff was knowledgeable and friendly and their service was great. We highly recommend this excellent cidery!

This place is amazing! Great cider, snacks, and the location is 2nd to none! Try the Guava Galaxy if you like Galaxy hopped beer.

Beautiful location and delicious cider. I've been a fan for years and they just get better and better