Horse farms, historic landmarks and rolling terrain east of Charlottes
Cismont may be rural in many respects, but it’s also keeping pace with the trends that are bringing more people into Charlottesville: namely, celebrating local history, culture and food. Notable buildings like Grace Episcopal Church, a Gothic Revival structure completed in 1847, rise next to the neighborhood’s numerous mature trees. Vineyards dot the landscape, and horses roam on estates. “The area has a rich history with several landmarks, including Castle Hill, a historic plantation home,” says Matthias John, a Realtor with Wiley Property. Castle Hill also maintains a cidery. “Cismont is well known for its equestrian culture, too. Many properties feature horse facilities, and the area hosts various equestrian events throughout the year.” All of this gives Cismont a slightly luxurious quality, despite its rustic surroundings. Living here does require a car, though: the nearest shopping center is 10 miles west, in the suburb of Pantops.
Vineyards provide a unique outdoor experience
There are no traditional parks in Cismont, but several vineyards provide an experience that immerses visitors in the outdoors. Merrie Mill Farm and Vineyard features live music every Friday and Sunday, and these events are anchored by an 1857 farmhouse that looks onto the Blue Ridge Mountains. Sometimes the name sums everything up, too: Southwest Mountain Vineyards is yet another scenic venue. In 2023, a tasting room was added to a barn built in 1903. If residents do want a typical park experience, though, they can drive roughly 11 miles to Darden Towe Park, a sprawling space with multiple recreation opportunities. “They can do sports or easily have some fun on the Rivanna River,” says Alexandria Searls, executive director of the Lewis and Clark Exploratory Center, located in the park. “Lots of people come out to bike on the trails, too.”
Some starter homes, but largely million-dollar estates
“Property prices can vary widely depending on the size, age and features of the home, but many properties here come with significant acreage,” says John. Indeed, it’s not unheard of for a colonial home –typically seen in denser suburban settings– to come with over half a dozen acres. Prices for such homes range from $700,000 to $750,000. But there are properties that approximate starter home status in Cismont: three-bedroom ranches and split-levels will sell between $330,000 and $400,000. Even these can have yards that stretch several acres. However, it’s important to remember that, largely, Cismont is known for having an upscale aesthetic – perhaps best described as rustic chic. “Cismont is characterized by large estates, horse farms and properties with historic charm, making it ideal for those seeking tranquility and a connection to nature,” says John. Million-dollar four-bedroom Craftsman homes from the 2020s present a striking modern farmhouse look. Horse farms with stables, pastures and trails can sell from $2 million to $3 million.
Specialized medicine track at Montellico High
Highly ranked schools are a standout feature of Cismont, too. Stone Robinson Elementary earns an A-minus rating from Niche, and has a 13-to-1 student-teacher ratio. Burley Middle is another school rated A-minus, but it has an 11-to-1 student-teacher ratio. Monticello High earns a B-plus, and has facilities for specialized learning, like the Health and Medical Sciences Academy, for students who wish to pursue pre-med or other health science tracks.
Louisa Road and Gordonsville Road fork at Cismont
Louisa Road forks at Cismont, splitting into Gordonsville Road. Residents can take the latter 10 miles north into Gordonsville. Or they can continue south along Louisa Road to Interstate 64 and Richmond Road, which leads to Pantops. These are also commuter routes, so if the residents works in Charlottesville or even further out in Richmond or Washington, they have the city’s most convenient options near their doorstep.
American diner food in Gordonsville
While the vineyards around Cismont provide elevated bites, it’s more often that Cismont residents will go to Gordonsville or Pantops for their shopping and dining needs. Gordonsville has a Food Lion, plus diner-esque establishments like the Barbeque Exchange, Krecek Kakes and Inwood. While a little further away, Pantops provides the type of shopping centers associated with suburbia, based around supermarkets like Food Lion and Giant Foods. There are also locally owned restaurants here that have a longstanding strong reputation, such as Guadalajara Mexico and Grit Coffee.
