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.
River's Edge encompasses 406± rolling acres of productive and scenic farmland in historic southern Albemarle County, just 25 minutes south of Charlottesville. At its center stands a remarkable late-eighteenth-century house, which was originally located south of the James River in Buckingham County. It was saved from demolition when it was dismantled board by board at its original site and painstakingly reconstructed in 1997 on an elevated knoll above the Hardware River, where virtually all of its early fabric was reused. Thoroughly remodeled in 2010, it remains listed on both the Virginia Landmarks Register and the National Register of Historic Places.
The surrounding land is as well composed as the house. Three-quarters of a mile of Hardware River frontage weaves along the western property edge, while 215± acres of pasture and open land are spread throughout the center of the farm. 180± acres of mature forest buffer the farm boundaries and the central spring, creating a balanced and private landscape.
The accompanying improvements are the ultimate mix of function and fun and range from an event barn to a go-kart tract to an established vineyard. Paved internal roads connect the farm, and four-board fencing and automatic waterers support a small cattle operation. River's Edge holds an active farm winery license and bed and breakfast permit, offering a new owner multiple ownership and use options. River's Edge is not under a conservation easement and possesses meaningful by-right division rights, further adding to future flexibility.
Some of the most storied grounds in central Virginia surround the farm, including Thomas Jefferson's Monticello, James Monroe's Highland, and the Southern Albemarle Rural Historic District. Established farms that are thoroughly improved, scenic, private, and unencumbered come to market infrequently, making River’s Edge an outstanding opportunity for anyone looking for a full-time residence or working farm within easy driving distance of Charlottesville.
The farm occupies rolling uplands above the Hardware River, which forms the western boundary and runs for three-quarters of a mile along the property. The land rises from the river bottom to an elevated knoll on which the manor house sits, a siting chosen deliberately for its resemblance to house’s original setting above the James River. Open ground occupies the center of the farm, with mature hardwood and pine along the boundaries and central spring, providing both diversity of land uses within the farm, as well as complete privacy
The Mount Ida manor house is reached via a winding, mile-long, tree-lined driveway. The house is situated on the edge of a beautiful five-and-one-quarter-acre pond, with expansive hardscaping and outdoor gathering areas. Adjacent to the house are the guest house, garage, tennis court, sand volleyball court, and go-kart track, which are described in more detail in the following pages.
The event barn is styled after a traditional Virginia stable and is carefully sited to balance privacy and connectivity within the larger farm. The five-acre vineyard sits between the event barn and the manor house.
Established farms that are thoroughly improved, scenic, private, and unencumbered come to market less frequently than one might think. River’s Edge has that enviable mix, which is further enhanced by the strong sense of place and unique history that comes with the house. It is a outstanding opportunity for anyone looking for a full-time residence or working farm within easy driving distance of Charlottesville.
River’s Edge is situated in an enviable corner of southern Albemarle County, roughly 25 minutes south of downtown Charlottesville, Virginia. The approach from town follows the historic Carter’s Mountain Road corridor before turning onto Blenheim Road, a paved country route that accesses the farm.
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 FBO. Richmond International Airport is an hour and fifteen minutes to the east, and Washington Dulles International Airport can be reached in approximately two and a quarter hours, adding direct long-haul and international flight options.
Airports
Towns and Cities
The farm sits in the middle of one of Virginia’s most historic and scenic rural landscapes. Its immediate neighbors are other farms, woodland tracts, and vineyards. Much of the surrounding land falls within the Southern Albemarle Rural Historic District, where large landholdings and conservation easements maintain the rural character of the area. Blenheim Vineyards, Trump Winery, Jefferson Vineyards, and Pippin Hill Farm and Vineyards can all be reached in a short drive. Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello is nine miles away, and Jefferson’s influence is seen and felt in the architecture and history throughout the surrounding area.
Charlottesville is the service hub for the region and an unusually rich 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 businesses.
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 Ski and Golf 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 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.
Records indicate that the house, traditionally known as Mount Ida, was built sometime between 1785 and 1805 by William Cannon, a captain in the Buckingham County militia during the Revolution and one of the largest landowners in that county. The house stood on the James River five miles from New Canton, on land the Cannon family had held since the 1730s. By the 1970s, the house stood vacant and deteriorating, and by the mid-1980s, it was for sale to anyone willing to move it.
In 1997, a buyer rose to the challenge, and the house was labeled brick by brick and board by board, dismantled, and carefully reassembled in its current location, with all the original weatherboards, foundation brick, and floorboards returned to their former positions. The reassembly was so thorough that the house was returned to the National Register in January 2001. The house was later remodeled in 2010 by the current owners.
An approximate breakdown of River's Edge’s acreage is:
The manor house measures 9,000± square feet and features eight bedrooms, six and one-half bathrooms, and thirteen fireplaces. Its five-bay main block faces south behind a Doric porch, and a two-story rear wing added during the reconstruction carries the modern service and living spaces.
West of the house, a gazebo and large hardscape pavilion overlook the pond, and to the east are a one-bedroom, one-bathroom 800± square foot guest cottage and a four-car, climate-controlled garage. Beyond that are the tennis and volleyball courts and the go-kart track. The track is paved and one-tenth of a mile long, complete with a viewing stand, kart garage, and overhead lights for nighttime races.
A purpose-built event barn of 10,000± square feet, constructed in 2013, supports the events business, with dedicated caterer spaces and dressing rooms. Large doors open to an expansive hardscaped seating area centered around a large fireplace, taking advantage of Virginia’s agreeable four-season climate. Paved internal roads connect all areas of the farm.
Approximately 175± acres are in mature hardwood and pine. Currently, the timber is managed for privacy, wildlife habitat, and aesthetics rather than production.
The annual estimated real estate taxes are $35,574.
Whitetail deer, eastern wild turkey, black bear, and waterfowl are all abundant on the farm, supported by the mix of open ground, mature hardwood, river bottom, and standing water. The combination of feed, cover, and water across 406± contiguous acres offers ample opportunity to develop a managed hunting program.
The Hardware River offers seasonal recreation, while the pond supports fishing, swimming, and paddling. Its position next to the house makes it a central and enviable resource that is sure to receive heavy use during the warmer months.
For those looking for more active pursuits, tennis, pickleball, and volleyball are all options, as is go-karting. The forested portion of the property would be perfect for a trail system for hiking, mountain biking, and trail riding, and the mostly level and rolling terrain is well-suited to future equestrian pursuits.
Nearby, the James River is minutes to the south, and the Shenandoah National Park, Blue Ridge Mountains, and wider Virginia countryside offer endless recreation.
The farm currently supports a small cattle operation on the open ground. The same infrastructure that supports the cattle would convert readily to equestrian use, as would the event barn. Between the event barn and the manor house is an established five± acre vineyard planted with Cabernet Franc, Chardonnay, and Merlot vines. River's Edge holds both an active farm winery license and a bed and breakfast permit.
Highly recommend them for folks considering buying a farm or recreational property.
We had a great experience working with Alex Leamon at Hall and Hall to finance the purchase of our property. From the first phone call, he was very prompt to respond and provided great service throughout the process. It was my first experience buying a large tract of land, and he made the process...
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