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 cidermaking, and the Hewes’ Crab and Taliaferro for dessert fruit.
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*)