When it comes to organic farms, pastured meats, fresh eggs, orchards, artisanal wineries and delicious eating establishments, Rappahannock County is hard to beat. There are a variety of little farms and local producers and purveyors of food-related products throughout the county. Our fall farm tour features over 30 of the area’s farms and agriculture venues every year. If you ride the back roads of Rappahannock, you invariably pass someone selling fresh eggs, cheese, fruit or vegetables. One hidden gem is Waterpenny Farm, an organic vegetable farm in Sperryville. Use their drive through honor system produce stand to stock up on local eggs, fruits, and vegetables. Drive to their barn, pick from all the goodies in coolers and on the tables and then just leave the appropriate amount of money in their money box.
We like to joke with our real estate clients that Rappahannock County produces more alcohol per capita that any other place in Virginia, which reveals more about the joie-de-vie of Rappahannock’s 7,000 citizens than it does about our wine producers. With 2 breweries, 2 distilleries, and 10 wineries, there are plenty of options.
Stop by the renowned Inn at Little Washington for a world class meal. We also have a coffee shop, bakeries, taverns and casual burger joints. Dinner at The Foster Harris House is a hidden gem. This tiny dining room seats only 10 and reservations are required. It is a fixed menu of 5 courses – everyone gets the same thing – but the food is heavenly. Wine parings are available.
Rappahannock County used to be the largest apple producing county in Virginia and several excellent orchards can still be found here. Farmers and their families offer apples, peaches, plums, pears, and nectarines to anyone who stops by. The orchards sell directly to you so you can buy a bushel or just a small bag of fruit knowing it is fresh picked. Sperryville has long been known for its plentiful fruit stands along Rt. 211 near the Park. These stands are fun to visit in the fall for pumpkins, ornamental corn and good fresh fruit.