Luxury Afton VA Homes For Sale
$1,890,000
Active
7847 ROCKFISH VALLEY HWY AFTON, Virginia
10 Beds 10 Baths 5,916 SqFt 1.83 Acres
$1,499,900
Active
10 STOCKTON CREEK LN Lot 10 Stockton Creek AFTON, Virginia
4 Beds 3.5 Baths 3,285 SqFt 2.22 Acres
Recently Sold Luxury Afton VA Homes
$785,000
Sold
73 ROCKLEDGE RD AFTON, Virginia
3 Beds 2.5 Baths 3,076 SqFt 5.56 Acres
$800,000
Sold
1900 THUNDER RIDGE RD AFTON, Virginia
4 Beds 2.5 Baths 2,641 SqFt 23.15 Acres
$800,000
Pending
7115 ROCKFISH VALLEY HWY AFTON, Virginia
3 Beds 2.5 Baths 1,984 SqFt 7.21 Acres
$875,000
Sold
6933 WISHING MEADOW LN AFTON, Virginia
5 Beds 3 Baths 3,852 SqFt 2 Acres
$875,649
Sold
627 TWIN RIDGE LN AFTON, Virginia
4 Beds 3 Baths 3,184 SqFt 3.98 Acres
$895,000
Sold
5725 TAYLOR CREEK RD AFTON, Virginia
3 Beds 2.5 Baths 2,800 SqFt 74.5 Acres
$904,500
Sold
170 HATTIES LN AFTON, Virginia
4 Beds 3 Baths 2,850 SqFt 4.1 Acres
$925,000
Sold
153 ORCHARD PL AFTON, Virginia
4 Beds 4.5 Baths 3,773 SqFt 11.52 Acres
$925,000
Sold
8200 DICK WOODS RD AFTON, Virginia
5 Beds 4 Baths 5,793 SqFt 8.67 Acres
$932,000
Sold
1562 AFTON MOUNTAIN RD AFTON, Virginia
6 Beds 6 Baths 3,670 SqFt 21.29 Acres
$935,000
Sold
6933 WISHING MEADOW LN AFTON, Virginia
5 Beds 3 Baths 3,852 SqFt 2 Acres
$1,038,000
Sold
503 BLAND WADE LN AFTON, Virginia
2 Beds 2.5 Baths 4,488 SqFt 9.13 Acres
$1,075,000
Sold
9051 DICK WOODS RD AFTON, Virginia
5 Beds 5.5 Baths 3,738 SqFt 4.87 Acres
$1,175,000
Sold
46 SPIRIT RIDGE LN AFTON, Virginia
3 Beds 3 Baths 3,058 SqFt 95.84 Acres
$1,200,000
Sold
10273 ROCKFISH VALLEY HWY AFTON, Virginia
6 Beds 6.5 Baths 4,210 SqFt 9.64 Acres
$1,324,563
Sold
200 GOODLOE LN AFTON, Virginia
4 Beds 3.5 Baths 3,678 SqFt 2.07 Acres
$1,375,000
Sold
8088 DICK WOODS RD AFTON, Virginia
1 Baths 542 SqFt 92.67 Acres
$2,236,600
Sold
291 SADDLEBACK FARM AFTON, Virginia
2 Beds 3 Baths 3,628 SqFt 5 Acres
Luxury Living in Afton: Albemarle County’s Mountain Retreat
Nestled in the western part of Albemarle County, Virginia, Afton offers a unique blend of natural beauty, rural charm, and luxurious living. This picturesque area, situated at the foothills and top of the Blue Ridge Mountains, has become increasingly popular among discerning homebuyers seeking high-end properties in a serene, yet accessible location.
Afton’s landscape is characterized by rolling hills, verdant forests, and breathtaking mountain vistas. This stunning backdrop provides the perfect setting for some of the most luxurious homes in Albemarle County. The area’s proximity to Charlottesville (approximately 25 miles east) and its position along the famed Skyline Drive make it an ideal location for those desiring a mountain retreat without sacrificing access to urban amenities.
Luxury homes in Afton are as diverse as they are impressive. Architectural styles range from grand mountain lodges and sophisticated contemporary designs to elegant country estates and meticulously restored historic properties. Many of these homes are custom-built, reflecting the individual tastes and lifestyles of their owners while harmonizing with the natural surroundings.
One of the defining features of Afton’s luxury real estate market is the abundance of land that typically accompanies these properties. It’s not uncommon for high-end homes in this area to sit on parcels of 10, 20, or even 100+ acres. This extensive acreage not only ensures privacy but also provides ample space for additional amenities such as private vineyards, equestrian facilities, or personal hiking trails.
The interiors of Afton’s luxury homes are equally impressive. High-end finishes, state-of-the-art appliances, and custom design elements are standard. Many properties boast gourmet kitchens, spa-like master suites, home theaters, wine cellars, and indoor pools. Large windows and expansive decks are common features, designed to capitalize on the area’s stunning views and seamlessly blend indoor and outdoor living spaces.
Afton’s appeal extends beyond its natural beauty and luxurious homes. The area is renowned for its wineries and breweries, including Afton Mountain Vineyards and Blue Mountain Brewery, which attract visitors from across the country. This burgeoning wine and craft beer scene adds a sophisticated touch to the local culture and provides residents with world-class tasting experiences in their own backyard.
For outdoor enthusiasts, Afton offers unparalleled access to recreational activities. The nearby Shenandoah National Park and George Washington National Forest provide endless opportunities for hiking, mountain biking, and wildlife observation. In winter, the nearby Wintergreen Resort offers skiing and snowboarding, making Afton an attractive year-round destination.
The luxury real estate market in Afton has seen steady growth in recent years, driven by buyers seeking a escape from urban areas without sacrificing comfort and amenities. The COVID-19 pandemic has further accelerated this trend, as more people embrace remote work and seek homes that offer space, privacy, and natural beauty.
It’s worth noting that while Afton offers a secluded, rural feel, it’s far from isolated. The area’s proximity to Charlottesville means residents have easy access to world-class healthcare, education (including the University of Virginia), cultural events, and fine dining. This balance of rural tranquility and urban accessibility is a key factor in Afton’s appeal to luxury homebuyers.
In conclusion, Afton represents a unique opportunity in Albemarle County’s luxury real estate market. With its stunning natural beauty, spacious properties, and blend of rural charm and sophisticated amenities, it offers an unparalleled living experience for those seeking a high-end mountain retreat. As the demand for luxury homes in scenic, less densely populated areas continues to grow, Afton is well-positioned to remain a highly desirable location for discerning homebuyers in Virginia.
History of Afton Virginia
The naming of Afton, Virginia, was most likely influenced by the river Afton, a small river in Scotland. Robert Burn wrote a poem in 1791 about the river Afton called Sweet Afton, and this poem helped popularize the naming of this mountaintop town.
How lofty, sweet Afton, thy neighboring hills
Far mark’d with the courses of clear winding rills
How pleasant thy banks and green valleys below
Where, wild in the woodlands, the primroses blow
In June 1781, the Virginia General Assembly flees through Rockfish Gap to Staunton to escape capture by Lt. Col. Banastre Tarleton and his British Dragoons.
Between August 1-4, 1818, the location of Central College (the current University of Virginia) is decided at the Rockfish Gap Tavern.
Former presidents Jefferson and Madison and President Monroe along with other dignitaries meet at the Rockfish Gap Tavern and are among those appointed to decide whether the school will be in Lexington, Staunton, or Charlottesville.
In 1837, Andrew Stephenson, American ambassador to the Court of James and Albemarle County native, presented Queen Victoria with a basket of Albemarle pippins. The queen exempts Virginia apples from import duties and Afton goes into its boom period.
1849, Claudius Crozet proposed four tunnels for a new rail line connecting the Mechums River in Albemarle County to Waynesboro in Augusta County.
Christmas Day, 1856, miners digging the Blue Ridge Tunnel from opposite sides of Afton Mountain ‘hole through’ after eight exhausting years. On April 13, 1858, The Blue Ridge Tunnel opened, beginning nearly 90 years of service.
April 1859, the village of Afton, Virginia, was established. Claudius Crozet’s miraculous construction of the Blue Ridge Tunnel linking Augusta and Albemarle Counties was the longest of its time and was primarily constructed by Scots-Irish immigrants who crossed at Rockfish Gap to settle the eastern slopes of the Blue Ridge Mountains who had settled in the mid-1740s.
1861-1865, Union and Confederate forces vie to deny each other use of the Virginia Central Railroad, a vital link between the Shenandoah Valley and Richmond. The train depot is torched; most of the track is destroyed and the railroad is left bankrupt by the end of the Civil War.
September 17, 1865, General Robert E. Lee spends the night at the expanded inn, renamed the Mountain Top Inn. He is on his way to Lexington after being invited to become the president of Washington College.
In 1869, the wonderful Afton House was built to accommodate summer visitors fleeing yellow fever in the nearby cities.
In 1867-1888, transcontinental railroad magnate Collis P. Huntington incorporated the Virginia Central into his company but lost control when it went into receivership. The reorganized railway financed with Morgan and Vanderbilt money is renamed The Chesapeake & Ohio Railway Company, with Melvin Ingalls as president. West Virginia coalfields are opened.
On April 4th, 1909, a fire destroys the Mountain Top Inn leaving only the stone walls of the original inn.
Swannanoa, the lavish Italianate mansion atop Afton, was completed in 1913 and soon thereafter Royal Orchard, an imposing granite castle owned by the Scott family, was built.
Construction began on the Blue Ridge Parkway by the CCC on September 11th, 1935.
By the turn of the 20th century, the village of Afton was self-supporting with coopers providing barrels to the local orchards, support staff at the hotel, several general merchants, blacksmiths, and those performing repair work, all in addition to orchard and farm work, and a variety of railroad jobs.
Afton’s horizon continued to shine brightly for many decades.
Two distinctive mountaintop mansions were built nearby.
All the automobile and truck traffic across the mountain continued to pass through the village for the next 40+ years, and service stations and garages were established to accommodate the traveling public’s needs.
1948, Howard Johnson’s opens on Afton. The restaurant was later joined by Holiday Inn, now Inn at Afton. None remain open today.
December 22, 1972, Interstate 64 across Afton Mountain opens, and Waynesboro and Augusta County begin to flourish.
Today, Afton Mountain is the entry to the Blue Ridge Parkway and the Shenandoah National Park.
The Appalachian Trail, Route 250, and I-64 cross at Rockfish Gap with scenic overlooks that provide a sweeping view into the Rockfish Valley and offer wonderful orchards and vineyards.