Oakwater Farm

Oakwater Farm sits within the southern portion of Albemarle County, roughly 16 miles and 25 minutes south of downtown Charlottesville, Virginia. The approach from town follows the historic Carter’s Mountain Road corridor, passing Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello, James Monroe’s Highland, Michie Tavern, Jefferson Vineyards, and Morven before turning onto Rolling Road, a paved country route that accesses the farm. The main gated entrance is located off Rolling Road and leads to wide-open pastoral views, fields bordered by mature hardwoods, and distant mountain views. There is plenty of additional road frontage for alternative access points if desired in the future. The seclusion and stillness of the property are readily apparent. Whether on or beside the main lake or in the rolling pastures closer to Rolling Road, there is a tranquility to the land, and the property offers complete privacy that is often difficult to find and experience.

Charlottesville–Albemarle Airport is roughly 40 minutes to the north and offers daily commercial service to many eastern and midwestern hubs. Its 6,800-foot asphalt runway can accommodate most private aircraft and is supported by a full-service Signature FBO. Richmond International Airport is about an hour and a half east, and Washington Dulles International Airport can be reached in approximately two and a half hours, adding direct long-haul and international flight options.

The farm sits in direct proximity to some of Virginia’s most historic and scenic rural landscapes. Its neighbors include other farms, woodland tracts, and vineyards. Many people are drawn to the ability to live a premium rural lifestyle while only minutes from nationally recognized historic sites, distinct cultural attractions, and the vibrant university town of Charlottesville. Trump Winery is minutes away, as is Blenheim Vineyards, owned by Dave Matthews. Jefferson Vineyards and Pippin Hill Farm and Vineyards are a short drive to the north and west, and Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello stands roughly ten miles to the north.

Charlottesville is the service hub for the region and is an unusually dynamic city for its size. The University of Virginia anchors the community and, together with Monticello, is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The University is accompanied by a nationally regarded academic medical center, a vibrant restaurant scene, and a full calendar of music and live arts. Practical needs are equally well covered, with a full array of amenities and business services.

South of the farm, the small town of Scottsville is under ten minutes away and sits on the historic James River, offering restaurants, basic amenities, and access to some of the best smallmouth bass fishing in central Virginia. The Blue Ridge Parkway, Shenandoah National Park, and Wintergreen Resort are all within an hour-and-a-half drive, and the Monticello Wine Trail, with more than 40 wineries, runs through the immediate area.

Central Virginia enjoys a temperate four-season climate. Summers can be warm and humid, with July and August temperatures reaching the upper 80s and low 90s during the day before cooling off meaningfully in the evenings. Winters are generally mild, with daytime highs in the 40s and overnight lows in the 20s and 30s, with occasional colder spells in January and February. Spring and fall are the region’s finest seasons, with daytime temperatures in the 60s and 70s and a backdrop of bright green springs and long, colorful autumns.

The region receives approximately 43 inches of rainfall annually and averages 19 inches of snowfall, providing ample moisture for pasture growth and crop production.

The farm sits in one of the oldest settled corners of central Virginia, dating to the founding of Albemarle County in 1744. Scottsville was historically a gateway for river trade, and the small town sits quaintly along the James River. Many neighboring estates have ties to Thomas Jefferson and James Monroe, and the area is rich in early American history. Fertile farmland, hardwood forests, historic homes, small villages, and rivers create a landscape that has kept its rural character for nearly three centuries. Owning a farm here means becoming a steward of that legacy. It provides the enviable opportunity to own land in one of America’s most storied regions, just minutes from Charlottesville and the University of Virginia.

The Listing Agent has an ownership interest in this listing, Oakwater Farm. This ownership disclosure is made pursuant to Virginia Law section 54.1-2138.2.

In keeping with its namesake, water is one of the property’s standout assets. The 40± acre main lake is one of the largest privately owned bodies of water in the Commonwealth of Virginia. With depths of over 30 feet, the lake provides incredibly rare opportunities for fishing, kayaking, and boating activities such as tubing, water skiing, and wakeboarding.

In addition to the main lake, there are nine ponds on the property. The ponds range in size, with the largest being approximately six and a half acres. The ponds and the lake are all fed by or flow into Briery Creek, which eventually feeds into the Hardware River and the historic James River to the south.

There is also a commercial-grade well in place that can be utilized for domestic or agricultural water supply, adding further flexibility and convenience for future owners.

Approximately 122± acres of the farm are wooded, principally in mature oak and mixed hardwoods. The timber contributes significantly to the property's privacy, wildlife habitat, and scenic quality, and provides beautiful buffers to the fields, adding layers and diversity to the property's layout.

The annual estimated taxes are $2,678 (2026). 

In 2025, the main lake was part of a fish observation study analyzing water quality, fish habitat, species present, and more. The lake is plentiful with bass, bluegill, crappie, and sunfish, and freshwater muskellunge, part of the pike family, have also been caught in the main lake.

The open ground surrounded by ponds and the private lake provides an incredible recreational opportunity for waterfowl and other coveted game species. The mix of mature hardwoods, open pastures, and extensive standing water produces excellent and varied habitat, and healthy populations of game are found throughout the year. Whitetail deer and eastern wild turkey are present in strong numbers, often moving out of the hardwood stands and into the open fields to graze or strut in the spring. Black bears are periodically seen, as well as mourning doves in the fall. Few hunting traditions in the southeast hold the wide-ranging appeal of an early-season dove hunt with family and friends.

The waterfowl habitat and hunting opportunities are exceptional and truly rare to find in the state. The nine ponds and the main lake provide diverse feeding, loafing, and roosting habitat and the foundation for successful early-season goose hunts, while late season sees an influx of black ducks, mallards, pintails, wood ducks, teal, and other species. Of note, during later waterfowl seasons, the issue is not the presence of ducks but rather selecting a location for your hunt given the abundance of options.

With more deliberate habitat management and enhancement, a best-in-class hunting program could be developed for any of the species referenced above, as well as upland habitat and wild field restoration for wild quail.

Regionally, Shenandoah National Park, the James River, Wintergreen Ski & Golf Resort, and the wider Virginia countryside are all on the farm’s doorstep, providing endless recreation and off-farm activities. Central Virginia has a well-deserved reputation as horse country and is home to virtually all equestrian pursuits, including show jumping, three-day eventing, steeplechase, and foxhunting.

Aside from the local and regional attractions, the farm itself yields tremendous recreational opportunities. The land presents a canvas for the buyer’s desires, including horseback riding, hiking, mountain biking and running trails, and more. The main lake can accommodate jet skis and boats, offering water skiing, wakeboarding, tubing, kayaking, sailing, and rowing opportunities rarely found on private land.

Oakwater Farm exists today as an agricultural and recreational property. The agricultural side produces hay on 100± acres, ensuring healthy and productive fields while also providing eligibility for Albemarle County’s Land Use program. The fertile ground may also support row crops or livestock grazing, or be scaled down to accommodate alternate uses such as wild fields and stricter wildlife habitat management.

The open land is currently enrolled in an agricultural haying operation. The lease is complimentary, as it provides for maintenance of the open pastures while qualifying the property for land use tax deferral with Albemarle County.