Where we draw the line
In 1779, two survey parties set out to establish the western frontier line between Virginia and North Carolina (now Tennessee). A disagreement over the border ensued, creating a lawless region that would exist for the next quarter century known as the Squabble State.
Our cider is made with that same uncompromising spirit.
● Our Mission & Philosophy
We simply want to bring friends together through craft beverages infused with an uncompromising spirit as enduring as America
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Be a destination
Squabble State was envisioned as an agritourism destination that would create a friendly, safe environment for people of all ages and their pets to gather. Whether you’re looking to catch up with family and friends, meet new people, or just get some quiet time away from everything - we’ve got you covered. You can experience Squabble State from the taproom, outdoor patio and porch, fire pits, picnic tables, or towards the orchard - all with a mountain backdrop at a 2,200 ft. elevation.
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Make cider for the everyday drinker
We believe in simplicity without sacrificing quality. We want our customers to experience cider with an apple-forward flavor, accentuated by other fruit. Nothing artificial. We keep the sugar low for a more crisp, dry-style cider that most people find appealing. We’re also not pretentious - we’re not trying to change the industry or save the world. We just want to elevate perception of cider as something everyone can enjoy.
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Partner with our community
We believe it’s important to focus on our strengths (making cider) and let others fill in the gaps. We rely on local partners to make Squabble State work. Whether it’s having food trucks onsite, providing beer in our taproom, pressing apples at our orchard in Nelson County, VA, or having vendors at our Sip & Shops, trusted business partners are critical to our success.
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Be a work in progress
When we launched our taproom in October 2024, we laid out a vision for what Squabble State could be as we continue to expand our operations. Our next phases of growth will include a distillery, a wedding venue, nature trails, short-stay cabins, and more. Stay tuned, and thank you for your patience.
● Origin
A roughly three-mile-wide tract of land in contemporary southwestern Virginia and northeastern Tennessee inspired one of the longest held land disputes in United States history. Spanning from the earliest colonial exploration of western Virginia until an early 20th century Supreme Court decision, warring companies, territories, and states attempted to claim the area as their own. An ode to such contests, Revolutionary war pension applications denoted this disputed area the “Squabble State.”
In its early history, the disputed area became known for irreverence and a sense of lawlessness. “Criminals of the country found a place of security” within the bounds of the Squabble State, refusing to pay taxes or perform military service for any state or territory claiming jurisdiction over the stretch of land.*
Disagreement owed to competing interests, unreliable cartography, unwieldy residents, and nearly impassable terrain lasted for more than a century.
Squabble State: A history of disagreement
● Iconography
The Sextant
The tool that mapped America
Early American surveyors and explorers used sextants to navigate and document their journeys.The tool allowed for the detailed and precise mapping of new territories, which was crucial for establishing property lines and land ownership.
Overall, the sextant looks like a sophisticated combination of a metal frame, mirrors and an arm, designed for precise angular measurements. On land, a sextant measures the angle between an astronomical object, like the sun, and the horizon for the purposes of navigation.
The instrument is centrally featured in our logo, as it served as the mechanism that both created and resolved the longstanding borderline disagreement between Virginia and then-North Carolina (now Tennessee). The land dispute over a roughly three-mile-wide tract known as the Squabble State existed for more than a century.
13 Stars
America’s origins
The Betsy Ross flag, with 13 stars and stripes, was created in 1777.
In 1779, the Virginia General Assembly created the Virginia Land Office to settle disagreements over land claims. It was then that legislators appointed the survey team to determine Virginia’s southwestern border leading to the century-long Squabble State dispute.
The 13 stars represent as much of a rebellious story as the Squabble State territory. We honor this chapter of American history by including the 13 stars in our branding.