Apple and Cheese Tasting

See the 2023 tasting results ➔

Did you know that there were thousands of apple varieties available in nineteenth-century America? While more than a dozen of these were cultivated at Monticello, Thomas Jefferson concentrated mainly on four types of apples: the Newtown (Albemarle) Pippin and Esopus Spitzenburg for dessert fruit, and the Hewes’ Crab and Taliaferro for cidermaking.

Join us for the unique opportunity to taste and compare heirloom and conventional apples, sample cheese pairings, see Monticello’s Tufton Farm, and learn about the history of apples from our featured guest speaker, Charlotte Shelton, of Albemarle CiderWorks.

Apple and Cheese Tasting participants will:

Taste, savor, and rate heirloom and contemporary apple varieties, including premium cheese pairings selected and presented by the Wegmans culinary team
Explore antique apple peelers and presses, presented by The Richard D. & Carolyn W. Jacques Foundation
Visit the Apple and Cheese Kids’ Apple Zone for crafts and play activities
Enjoy opening remarks from a very special guest and apple connoisseur, Thomas Jefferson, as interpreted by William Barker
Celebrate the season with delicious apple-based food items prepared by Monticello Farm Table café and available for purchase
Purchase from a selection of Monticello apple trees and other festive fall items available at The Shop at Monticello. (Exclusive Shop discount coupon provided to attendees*)

*exclusions may apply

This is a ticketed program. Children 10 and under attend free, but must register as capacity is limited for the event.

Please note: this is an outdoor event with uneven terrain on a level grade. Children age 7 and under must be accompanied by adult.

Rain back-up date for the event is Sunday, 10/23/2022 from 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM. Weather call will be made at 2 PM on Friday, 10/21/2022. Ticket holders will be notified by email ONLY if the rain back-up date is in effect.

Getting There:

The Thomas Jefferson Center for Historic Plants. GPS Address: 1293 Tufton Farm, Charlottesville, VA 22902

TRAFFIC WARNING: Fall weekend travels often encounter traffic delays on Route 53 between Route 20 and the Monticello entrance. We highly recommend taking the alternate route to Tufton Farm via Route 250 and Milton Rd.