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Sunnyside Farm is one of the country's most well-known organic farms. This historic farm dates its beginnings back to 1780 when the Miller family first began farming the land. Passed down through the generations, this is only the second time in its history that Sunnyside Farm has been offered for sale. Throughout its existence, Sunnyside Farm has been at the forefront of agricultural innovation while respecting the legacy of those who farmed before.
Today Sunnyside Farm consists of 421.92 acres of rolling hills, pastures, forest, streams and ponds nestled at the base of the Blue Ridge Mountains in one of the prettiest and most well-protected landscapes on the East Coast. This stunning farm is a truly self-contained environment in which a diversified organic farming operation co-exists seamlessly with the surrounding National Park and nearby small rural towns, farms, and estates. A meticulous attention to detail is found throughout the farm. From the elegant and welcoming manor house to the efficient production facilities of the farm center, Sunnyside Farm is an extraordinary combination of beauty and utility. A rare opportunity to own one of Virginia's premier farms.
Residences
Sunnyside Farm has nine dwellings, which consist of a main manor house, two guest houses, an apartment, an un-renovated house, and four tenant houses.
Main House: The three bedroom, four bath main house home dates from 1785. The original stone and log structure can still be seen in the library/office and main core of the house. The main house has been substantially enlarged and altered over the past two and a half centuries. The latest renovation and enlargement was in 1999 when the house underwent a complete renovation. Outbuildings include a spring house, smoke house (wine cellar), and pump house (gym and laundry).
The Schoolhouse: A one bedroom, 1.5 bath guest house with spacious living room, dining room and kitchen and loft library. From the core of an old log cabin, this house was expanded and totally renovated in 1999.
The Granny Winkle Cottage: A one bedroom, one bath cottage with a small loft space and fireplace refurbished in 1999.
The Miss Woods House: A large clapboard sided Farm house built around 1870. This house has been unoccupied since 2000 and remains un-renovated.
Tenant House 1 - The White House: A three bedroom, two bath stucco farm house with a front porch, large kitchen and extra rooms.
Tenant House 2 - The Trail House: Newly built in 1999, this cedar-sided house boasts four bedrooms, 2.5 baths, large living room, dining room, kitchen, utility/mud room, and a detached one car garage.
Tenant House 3 - The Yellow House: A recently renovated four bedroom, two bath clapboard sided house nestled in the woods.
Tenant House 4 - The Farm Manager's Apartment: A one bedroom, one bath home with two story living room, woodstove and spacious kitchen near the stables.
Bunk House: Four bedrooms that can accommodate up to 16 occupants total. Large living room/common room, and large kitchen.
Farm Features
Historically, the main source of revenue on Sunnyside Farm has been its orchards. Today it has the distinction of the being both the oldest, and longest continuing, commercial apple orchard in operation in Rappahannock County.
Located at the base of the Blue Ridge Mountains, the farm is sheltered by Mount Marshall on the Western border and a wooded ridgeline to the North. The farm is in USDA agricultural zone 6, with some micro-climates in zone 7. Approximately 200 acres have been left wooded. These woods form a roughly “U” shaped area on the west, north, and southern sides of the farm. Woodlands are mostly mature hardwoods (Oak, tulip poplars, and other natives) and relatively few pines. Walking and bridal trails meander through the woodlands and follow streams and other natural landmarks. The bulk of the wooded areas are adjacent to the Shenandoah National Park.
Currently roughly 200 acres of the farm are open and mostly used for agricultural production. Approximately 20 acres have been planted in Apple, Peach, Cherry and Asian Pear Apple trees since the late 1990s. These trees form the basis of the modern orchards at Sunnyside Farm and are just now coming into full production. Roughly four acres are planted in perennial brambles (primarily raspberries and blackberries). The remaining 150 open acres are used as pasture, hayfields, ponds, and annual field crops. At present, Sunnyside farm operates as a fully diversified certified organic farm producing organic fruits, vegetables, broiler chickens and eggs.
Fencing: Four board oak fencing at the farm entrance and around the stable complex. The remainder of the farm is fenced and cross-fenced with woven wire and barbed wire fencing in multiple fields and paddocks. All fencing is suitable for cattle, but with slight modification would be acceptable for other types of livestock. A network of invisible fencing has been installed to allow for dog pack patrol of orchard areas to keep out predators. Stone walls have been restored and are found throughout the farm.
Irrigation Network: The farm has an extensive irrigation system which includes fixed and moveable irrigation in all cultivated areas. Garden areas around the house are on a combination of sprinkler and drip irrigation systems. All orchard areas are serviced by drip irrigation. All field crops are serviced by moveable drip and sprinkler irrigations systems. The irrigation system is powered by a sophisticated pump network at the base of the three 'necklace' ponds which collect water for farm use. Multiple wells service all dwellings. There is also a large network of frost-free hydrants and field waterers for livestock and other use.
Road Network: Sunnyside Farm is serviced by two main on-farm roads, Sunnyside Orchard Lane and Sweetwater Lane. A network of gravel and dirt secondary roads connect all fields and pastures.
Trail Network: Extensive walking and bridal trails are found throughout the wooded areas of the farm adjoining the Shenandoah National Park. Trails on neighboring properties afford miles of walking or riding. A map of the trail network can be found here.
Ponds: There are six ponds on the farm. All ponds are stocked with bass, triploid carp, and hybrid sunfish. The three "necklace" ponds have beautifully crafted stone spillways and are used for swimming, fishing, and irrigation.
Farm Structures
The Four Barn: A large four-sided pole barn with sufficient space for livestock winter feeding, equipment and feed storage, and other uses. Suitable for indoor riding arena and other equestrian use. Also includes a poultry processing plant and grain silos for feed storage.
Machine Shed/Office: A large board & batten building with 4 vehicle bays, office space, freezer unit, vegetable processing rooms, packaging space, and vehicle repair/shop.
Machine Shed/Fruit Storage: A large open-sided board & batten building that allows for vehicle storage, apple crate storage, and two large walk-in refrigeration units.
Fuel Depot: Above-ground fuel storage for unleaded gasoline and off-road diesel. Includes key-pad locks and pumps for vehicle fill-up.
Stables/Office: The stable complex includes a 9 stall center-aisle barn, with a feed room, large hay loft, wash stall, and large office/tack room. A one bedroom apartment is adjacent to the stables. There are two large paddocks of approximately 4 acres total contiguous to the stables, and a large 2 acre stone walled paddock across from the stables.
Greenhouses: Nine greenhouses clustered around both wood-burning and propane heating systems for supplementary winter heating. All greenhouses are easily disassembled and moved. Additional greenhouses are found elsewhere on the farm for broiler production.
Other
Livestock: Sunnyside Farm has facilities for horses, laying hens, and broilers. The farm is fenced for cattle and other livestock and the farm can easily be adapted to any livestock production.
Telecom: There is a sophisticated communications system on the farm which handles multiple phone lines. Internet service is available via wireless network on a satellite dish (DirecPC). Television is also via satellite (DirecTV). Cell phone coverage on the farm is available on the Sprint and Cingular networks.
Location: Sunnyside Farm is located on Sunnyside Orchard Lane outside the Town of Washington Rappahannock County. The farm lies in Rappahannock Hunt's foxhunting territory. Approximately 78 miles from Washington, DC, the travel time from the farm to downtown DC is 1 Hour and 45 minutes (in low traffic situations). Approximately 60 minutes to Dulles International Airport, 1 hour 15 minutes to Charlottesville, 20 minutes to Warrenton, and 15 minutes to Front Royal.
Amenities: Rappahannock County is a close-knit rural community with excellent theater, concerts, art galleries, wineries, and the Shenandoah National Park. “Little” Washington, the county seat is the home of The Inn at Little Washington and shops and theater. The nearby village of Flint Hill boasts three excellent restaurants, Four and Twenty Blackbirds, The Public House, and The Griffin Tavern. Sperryville, also nearby, is home to the Thornton River Grille and other establishments. Equestrian pursuits (fox-hunting, trail riding, dressage) are very popular local pursuits.
Photo Galleries
Main House and Guest Houses - hover on photo for description, click on photo for larger view
Photo Tour of House Interiors can be found here
Tenant Houses and Stables - hover on photo for description, click on photo for larger view
Orchards - hover on photo for description, click on photo for larger view
Row Crops - hover on photo for description, click on photo for larger view
Farm Center - hover on photo for description, click on photo for larger view
Farm Scenes - hover on photo for description, click on photo for larger view
MLS# RP6080797
List Price: $7.5 million
Listing Agent: Alan Zuschlag (540) 937-6124
Plat: click here
Topographical Map: click here
Trail Map: click here
Offering subject to errors, omissions, prior sale, or withdrawal without notice. Information contained herein is deemed reliable, but it is not so warranted or otherwise guaranteed.
