The convergence of people, culture, and the outdoors ignites Alex’s passion for involvement in land management and assisting others in realizing their land use dreams. As a third-generation landowner with a background in land management, he’s got the right combination of authenticity and curiosity to help you connect with the right people to find your right place.
A native of the Northeast, Alex spent summers on his grandparents’ ranch out West sparking his interest in the land and the cultivation of a “sense of place.” After eight years in farm and land management, he continues to advise and guide potential buyers and future and current owners with their land-holding operations.
A culinary aficionado, Alex lives with his wife, Bliss, daughter, Nellie, and son, Bo, in Charlottesville, Virginia. He’s insistent that his children also discover the thrill of downhill skiing, and they all enjoy spending time fly fishing, traveling and exploring new places, and discovering the local cuisine, whether in the Blue Ridge Mountains or wide expanses of the West.
Talk land with Alex.
Located just 15 minutes south of Fredericksburg, Virginia, Mount Sion offers 843± acres of pristine hunting and recreational land. With a well-managed mix of hardwoods and pines, this property has been carefully cultivated for over 20 years to support and sustain thriving wildlife populations, resulting in exceptional hunting and recreational opportunities.
Mount Sion also carries a rich history dating back over 300 years and traces its roots to 1720 when Francis Conway, grandfather of James Madison, built the original home. Structurally sound and ready for renovation, the historic Mount Sion house complements the property’s endless possibilities and is similarly adaptable. Nature, wildlife, and legacy all converge here and Mount Sion’s future is wide open, whether a future owner chooses to continue managing the property for wildlife or pursues a family- oriented, recreational retreat.
Mount Sion is an appealing mix of gently rolling topography and forested lands, with approximately 50 open acres spread throughout the property. Thinned hardwoods surround the house, while elsewhere, there are blocks of managed pine and hardwoods, open fields of varying sizes, and fertile bottomland and wetlands alongside the creeks. The diverse makeup of the land lends itself perfectly to wildlife management and ample opportunity exists to continue developing habitat throughout the property, including further timber thinning and introducing additional forage.
The main water feature on the property is a five-acre pond. In the summer months, it is ideal for swimming, canoeing, and general family recreation. The pond is also home to citation-sized largemouth bass – and is perfect for novice and experienced fishermen alike. Elsewhere on the property are an unnamed seasonal creek and Snow Creek, one and one-tenth and one and one-half miles in length, respectively. Both serve as important water sources for wildlife on the property and could also play a future role in developing dedicated waterfowl habitat.
History in this area runs deep and the property’s address – Old Grain Road – is a reference to a historic commerce road that connected many of the farms and estates in the area to the Rappahannock River, a key economic conduit of the 18th and early 19th centuries. The old sunken roadbed is still passable today and comprises part of Mount Sion’s internal road system.
Rounding out the property is the seven-bedroom Mount Sion house, which is filled with potential. Other improvements near the house include the old smokehouse, a detached two-car garage, and a small open tractor barn.
Mount Sion matches a property profile that I am regularly asked to find in Virginia – private yet convenient, with 500-plus acres of usable terrain and a proven hunting program. This property hits that nail on the head. The pieces are all in place here and the appeal is further enhanced by the many different directions a new owner can take.
Mount Sion is conveniently located 15 minutes south of Fredericksburg and is roughly equidistant from Washington, D.C. (just over an hour away) and Richmond (just under an hour away). The area immediately surrounding the property has a rural character, affording the best of both worlds – an outstanding hunting property with easy proximity to everyday conveniences and two metro areas. The nearest commercial airports are Richmond International Airport and Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, each about an hour away. The nearest FBO can be found 30 minutes to the north at Stafford Regional Airport, which features a 6,000-foot runway.
Caroline County is a mix of rural charm, historical depth, and scenic pastoral lands. Situated in the central part of Virginia, it serves as a bridge between urban centers like Richmond and Fredericksburg, yet it has retained its agricultural heritage and character. To the north of Mount Sion, the Rappahannock River marks the boundary between Caroline and King George County, while the Mattaponi River runs to the south through the center of Caroline County. Historically, both rivers served as important trade arteries connecting the inland farms and estates with the coast and today they remain popular with both recreationists and wildlife. South of the property is Fort Walker, which has helped serve as a buffer against development over the years, further ensuring the area's quiet and country appeal.
The city of Fredericksburg is the nearest sizeable municipality. With a population of nearly 30,000, it is a dynamic yet manageable city. Established in 1728, the city is almost as old as Mount Sion and played important roles in colonial America, the Revolutionary War, and the Civil War. Today, the attractive and well-preserved historic district along the Rappahannock River features 18th- and 19th-century architecture, brick-lined sidewalks, and a vibrant mix of shops, restaurants, and museums.
Like most of Virginia, Mount Sion enjoys a true four-season climate, all of which are enjoyable in their own right. Spring at Mount Sion features balmy weather and steady rainfall, resulting in the bright green landscapes often associated with central Virginia. Average springtime temperatures range from highs in the 60s and 70s to lows in the 40s and 50s. Summers are warm and humid, with daytime temperatures climbing into the 80s and low 90s. Fall is a sportsperson’s paradise in Virginia, with weather to match. Temperatures are similar to those in the spring but with more consistent sunshine and brilliant fall foliage. Winters are manageable with average highs in the 40s and lows in the 20s and 30s. On average, this part of Virginia sees 40 to 45 inches of rainfall and 12 inches of snowfall annually.
The land at Mount Sion is primarily wooded and is comprised of mixed hardwoods and pine. The timber has been periodically thinned over the past 20 years to create healthier forests and more productive wildlife habitat. The last thinning took place in 2022 (80± acres selectively harvested). Approximately 50 acres of the property are currently open fields and food plots. Water sources on the property include the five-acre pond and two creeks. Elevations range from 70 feet to 220 feet above sea level.
An approximate breakdown of the acreage at Mount Sion is:
Mount Sion was established in 1720 by Francis Conway, the grandfather of James Madison. He constructed a classic two-over-two clapboard house that still graces the property today. The house, ready for renovation, is structurally sound and has aged remarkably well. Ten-foot ceilings and many original details are found in most of the rooms. Gordon Conway, a famous global fashion designer in her time, built the addition on the south end of the house in 1937. Today, the house features seven bedrooms and three bathrooms.
Nearby, a historic smokehouse still stands, as does a more recent two-car detached garage. Adjacent to that is an additional structure that houses a walk-in game cooler. If a new owner wanted to build additional homes or expand improvements, there are plenty of potential locations to do so.
Annual property taxes were approximately $7,724 as of 2024.
The focus at Mount Sion is currently hunting, fishing, and nature, but the land lends itself to all sorts of recreational pursuits. The established internal road and trail system are perfect for hiking, mountain biking, trail running, and ATVs. Horses would be equally at home at Mount Sion and a future owner could establish an equestrian facility on the open terrain or simply focus on trail riding and enjoying the land. With the rolling topography, a diverse and challenging sport clays course and shooting range would be easy additions.
The hunting program at Mount Sion is centered on whitetail deer and eastern wild turkey, both of which are found in abundance. Deer hunting is tightly controlled, with the goal of growing trophy bucks and maintaining a balanced, healthy herd. The timber management has been approached methodically to diversify and improve habitat and a future owner has the option to undertake additional thinning and selective harvests depending on their goals. Waterfowl are present on the property and there is the potential to expand the hunting opportunities by enhancing wetlands, constructing impoundments, or creating pockets of flooded timber.
Lastly, the five-acre pond holds sunfish, crappy, and trophy-sized largemouth bass. The pond is the perfect place to spend the warmer days, whether fishing, swimming, or simply relaxing with friends and family.
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