Virginia’s Best Kept Secret

Less than 30 minutes from Charlottesville in scenic Albemarle County is Batesville, a vibrant, close-knit community located along the Old Plank Road. Originally founded as “Oliver’s Store” in 1760, the town grew in notoriety throughout the 19th century as the midpoint on the Staunton and James River turnpike that linked Augusta County with the town of Scottsville.

Batesville was home to Samuel Miller who, through frugal living and wise investing, died as one of the “10 richest men in America” in 1869. He designated that the balance of his estate would go toward endowing the Miller Manual School. The school was founded on a 1,600-acre campus in 1878 and has grown and evolved into the Miller School of Albemarle, a coeducational preparatory school serving students from around the world in grades 8-12.

Batesville is located in the heart of Albemarle County’s wine region and is a short drive to renowned vineyards such as Pippin Hill, Cardinal Point Winery, and Stinson Vineyards. It lies in the shadow of the Blue Ridge Mountains and is a short drive from Shenandoah National Park, Skyline Drive, and Wintergreen Resort.

Rural Charm, Modern Convenience

The homes for sale in Batesville feature pleasant, manageable acreage with plenty of room for horses and livestock. The homes are a pleasant mix of 19th and 20th-century dwellings and in many cases are close to country-life amenities such as wood-burning stoves and proximity to lakes and swimming holes. In spite of their rural charm, homes for sale in Batesville are an easy commute of less than ½ an hour to Charlottesville and the University of Virginia.

A Lively Community in a Historic Setting

Batesville’s main thoroughfare, the Batesville Historic District, and the historic home Bellevue, also known as Wavertree Hall, are both in the National Register of Historic Places. The Batesville Historic District is home to the Batesville Market, a grocery store and noted community gathering place located at the corner of Plank Road and Craig’s Store Road. Originally constructed in 1900, the Market serves as a weekly tasting room for award-winning winery Lovingston Winery. They also host live, local music on Saturday and Sunday and serve as a sales outpost for local artisans.