Hillside haven

The Treehouse at Williams Creek couldn’t be more aptly named. As the driveway winds up the secluded 10-acre Afton property, it passes a creek before delivering you to the hideaway on the hill. What appears from the exterior as a modest dwelling expands into a luxurious 3,200-square-foot space the moment you walk through the front […]

Cold cones, warm hearts

We know, we know: Ice cream? For summer? Groundbreaking. But there’s literally no better time to write about one of our favorite treats than the hottest season of the year, cliché or not. It’s practically a requirement: Before the summer’s over, you must try one of these hot (cold?) spots. And for those of you […]

Not your garden varietals

As temperatures rise and the days get longer, wine lovers look for different options in their glass. Whether chosen to accompany a day by the water, an afternoon on the deck, or an evening gathered around the grill, most of us move away from big-bodied, high-tannin, and high-alcohol red wines and instead reach for lighter, […]

Hidden gems

It’s easy to miss a hole in the wall, and, well, that’s kind of the point. So we put our nose to the ground—wall?—and did the snooping for you, and discovered three smaller spaces that promise big fun, including cozy quarters to host an epic watch party, a new fine dining experience, and a quiet […]

Farm to glass

Trails where you can get your tipple on are trending. There’s the Charlottesville Ale Trail, the Brew Ridge Trail, and the Nelson 151 Trail. The newest trail is the Fermentation Farm Trail—and it has an intriguing twist.  Featuring six breweries, cideries, and wineries in Louisa County, this trail sets itself apart with its emphasis on […]

Table setter

Merrie Mill Farm & Vineyard owners Elizabeth and Guy Pelly bought the 21-year-old deli and specialty grocery lovingly known as Feast! in January. Now under new direction, the Main Street mainstay is surrounded by pressing questions. (For one, what about the exclamation point?) Elizabeth Pelly recently talked to Knife & Fork about her budding stewardship […]

Peck this

We’ve all seen the pictures on Pinterest—wooden palettes with thoughtful arrangements of salami, a trail of bright dried apricots snaking its way through meat and cheese. For many of us, the art of cheeseboarding seems a little beyond our ability. How do I know which cheese to choose? Which flowers are edible? Where do I […]

Pick a picnic

Event planner Justus Kelley is a designer of dreams. With her business Picnics in VA, she sets the stage for small soirées, ensuring meaningful memories and share-worthy moments.  The process begins with idea-sharing. Clients come to Kelley with their own thoughts for an event, and she brainstorms how to make it happen. “My favorite part […]

A good read

Whatever you’re looking for in a summer read—whether it be a laugh-out-loud feminist tale, a small-town mystery, or a nonfiction adventure—area authors have you covered. Dive into the pages of these books and find the perfect warm-weather read for any mood. Sara Read, Johanna Porter is Not Sorry (fiction) What do you do when your […]

Boys to men

Uhuru Foundation co- founder Derek Rush knows what it’s like to be behind bars. But he doesn’t let that part of his life define him, even in trying to make life better for young people in the same situation. “Yes, I spent some time incarcerated,” Rush says. “But I don’t lean solely on that experience. […]