Historical, Fertile, Growing

Situated southwest of Charlottesville and northwest of Scottsville is the town of Esmont, a traditional farming community named after the historic home of Dr. Charles Cocke. The estate was built in 1818 and was built in the Jeffersonian style, Thomas Jefferson’s take on Palladian architecture. The estate is one of three buildings in Esmont listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the others being Guthrie Hall, a Colonial Revival mansion built in 1901, and the Benjamin Harris House, a brick Jeffersonian built in 1803.

The soil surrounding the Esmont plantation was known for its fertile soil, a deep red in color. The soil remains rich and farm-ready to this day, which is why Esmont is still a hotbed of agricultural activity. Over time the area’s economy diversified and attracted a diverse residential population.

Today Esmont is at the heart of the always-growing Virginia Wine Industry. Multiple wineries, as well as professional wine tour operations, dot the area. Esmont is also an easy commute to the James River, which in warm-weather months serves as a vibrant site for fishing, kayaking, and every other aquatic activity imaginable.

Natural Views from a Classical Seat

Properties for sale in Esmont are a mix of single-family homes and vast, multi-acre tracts of land that are ready for the construction of a great home. The Esmont homes available for sale run the gamut of architectural styles from classic Georgian to turn-of-the-century farmhouses, but all boast stunning views and easy commutes to Charlottesville and the area’s major employers. The open lots are a superb investment, featuring a diverse mix of habitats including woodlands, green farm pastures, and water fronting properties near streams, lakes, and the James River.

Recreation and Education

A short drive from Esmont is Pine Knot, a two-story wood cottage that was the country retreat of Theodore and Edith Roosevelt during “Teddy’s” presidency. Visits to Pine Knot are available by appointment. Esmont is also convenient to the Walton Mountain Museum House and Hamner House, the childhood home of Earl Hamner Junior. Mr. Hamner’s writings served as the basis for the legendary TV show The Waltons, and tours of the estate feature him in a 30-minute video presentation. Esmont is also convenient to First Colony Winery, a boutique winery serving exceptional wines in a 5,000 square foot tasting room.