Augusta County: Bed and breakfast to expand into craft cider production

An Augusta County bed and breakfast will construct a new craft cider production facility and tasting room on their 20-acre farm.

Cider House Bed and Breakfast, located at 949 Old White Bridge Road just outside of Waynesboro, currently produces hay but has added vegetable and flower gardens, donkeys and alpacas and a small apple orchard.

The orchard includes nearly 150 heritage apple trees as well as cherries, berries and melons.

“I am excited to expand my hobby of making cider, cyser and mead in a new production facility and tasting room,” said Melinda Kendall, owner of the farm. “These additions add to the uniqueness of Cider House Bed and Breakfast and further the area as a destination for visitors.”

Stone Ledge Cider will be a new amenity to visitors and guests of the farm’s Cider House Bed and Breakfast, which opened during the height of COVID-19. The 1790 farmhouse was previously owned by Thomas Gorsuch, the former Waynesboro mayor.

The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services worked with Augusta County and the Augusta County Economic Development Authority to help fund the project.

Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin approved a $10,000 facility grant from the agriculture and forestry industries development fund, which Augusta County will match with local funds.

The company has committed more than $330,000 in capital investment and will add six new jobs, according to the governor’s office.

Stone Ledge Cider has pledged to source Virginia-grown ingredients for its craft ciders, meads and cysers. Over the next three years, the cidery will purchase $166,858 of local apples, honey and other seasonal fruits, some of which will be sourced from its own orchard.

“We are very proud of the different ways Virginia agriculture and forestry helps to bolster the Commonwealth’s thriving economy,” said Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry Matthew Lohr. “Virginia apples, honey and other fruits will provide top-quality ingredients for Stone Ledge Cider, and the business, consumers and the region will all benefit.”