Fall Weekend Picks: Piedmont Wine & Cider, Sept 2026

September's cooler evenings and turning light make this the Piedmont's best month for porch-sitting with a glass in hand \u2014 and this fall, two low-key, high-quality stops anchor a weekend loop through the wider region: a family farm winery with a corn-crib tasting room in Culpeper, and a farmhouse cidery just south of Charlottesville. Both have gone quiet on recent activity, so we'd recommend a quick call before you drive out. Neither requires a reservation months out, and both reward an unhurried afternoon.

• Mountain Run Winery \u2014 10753 Mountain Run Lake Rd, Culpeper; open Friday\u2013Sunday, noon\u20137pm
• Potter's Craft Cider \u2014 Charlottesville/Albemarle; Thursday\u2013Sunday, with Thursday from 3pm and weekends from 11am/noon
• First Friday Warrenton \u2014 Old Town Main Street, a monthly evening event with a beer and wine garden \u2014 though we haven't been able to confirm it's still running, so check before you plan around it

Mountain Run Winery's Corn-Crib Tasting Room

This family farm winery keeps its tasting flights (any four pours) inside a historic corn-crib tasting room. The estate list runs deep for a farm winery \u2014 Chardonnay, Petit Manseng, Viognier, Vidal Blanc, and Traminette on the white side, plus a Meritage, Culpeper Crimson, and Petit Verdot among the reds. Beyond wine, there's hard cider, mead, and more than a dozen craft beer styles on tap, so a mixed group never has to compromise. Lite fare is limited to crackers, cheese, and charcuterie on non-event days, though food trucks show up for scheduled events, so it's worth calling ahead if a full meal matters. Hours run Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from noon to 7pm; Monday through Thursday the property is closed to the public but available for private rentals, and curbside pickup can be arranged daily by calling or texting (703) 638-5559. It's also dog- and kid-friendly, with a playground on-site. Worth noting: this listing has shown no recent social or on-the-ground activity, so it's worth calling ahead to confirm hours haven't shifted since our last check. Find it at Mountain Run Winery.

Potter's Craft Cider's Farmhouse Deck

South of downtown, Potter's Craft Cider makes farmhouse-style hard cider from local Virginia apples using traditional methods. The tasting room is open Thursday from 3pm to 9pm, Friday and Saturday from noon to 9pm, and Sunday from 11am to 8pm; it's closed Monday through Wednesday. As with Mountain Run Winery, we haven't seen recent activity or updates on this listing, so a quick call ahead is a good idea before you make the drive. For a Charlottesville-area outing that doesn't require a wine club membership or a reservation, this is still a solid option to check on.

Old Town Warrenton's First Friday

Once a month, Old Town Warrenton's Main Street has traditionally shut down for First Friday Warrenton, an evening event built around a beer and wine garden, live entertainment on a community stage, and the town's independent shops and restaurants staying open late. We should flag, though, that this listing has shown no recent social activity, so we can't confirm it's still running on its usual schedule this fall. If you're planning a trip around it, check the event's own listings first to verify it's still happening and to find the specific Friday this month.

Planning Your Visit

Mountain Run Winery \u2014 10753 Mountain Run Lake Rd, Culpeper, VA 22701. Open Friday\u2013Sunday, noon\u20137pm (closed to the public Mon\u2013Thu; private rentals only). Phone/text: (703) 638-5559. Website: mountainrunwinery.com.

Potter's Craft Cider \u2014 Charlottesville, Albemarle County, VA. Open Thursday 3\u20139pm, Friday\u2013Saturday 12\u20139pm, Sunday 11am\u20138pm; closed Monday\u2013Wednesday. Phone: (434) 244-2767. Website: potterscraftcider.com.

First Friday Warrenton \u2014 Old Town Warrenton Main Street. Historically a monthly evening event; confirm current status at allegrocsa.org/first-friday-warrenton before visiting.

Nearby: Antiques, Art, and More

If you're routing through Fauquier, Studio 81 Art / Warrenton Artist Collective on Main Street is an artist collective and working studio/gallery in Warrenton showing and selling work by local members, worth a look if you're in the area.