About Us
Located in downtown Nellysford, Virginia, Belties will offer a truly unique breakfast, brunch, and lunch experience to local residents and visitors.
With a blend of authentic country charm, delicious food and drinks, and a welcoming vibe, we hope to make every visit feel like home—inviting you to stay awhile and come back often. Creating a truly memorable experience for our guests is what we’re all about.
A Dream Come True
The Belties project was founded by John Washburn and Scott DeFusco. Many may know John from his role as the founder of the Bold Rock Cider Company, which originated in Nellysford, VA, and has grown into a very popular and successful national brand. After the sale of Bold Rock to ABV in 2019, John and Scott started working on the Belties concept. John, a lifelong resident of Nelson County, is passionate about creating unique experiences that bring people together.
Scott DeFusco and his family have owned homes on Wintergreen mountain for over 20 years. Much of that time has been spent enjoying all the wonderful activities and businesses that Nelson County has to offer. Scott recently sold the business he founded, Capturelife, and the family moved to Stoney Creek in Nelson County. Scott is excited to work with his good friend John on making Belties a place where other families can create great memories.
Meet our Founders
Origin of the Belties Brand
The idea for the Belties brand came from John Washburn. In addition to being an entrepreneur, John and his wife Robin have an affinity for farm life and share a love of animals. They recently became enamored with miniature Belties, a traditional Scottish breed of cattle, and decided to raise their own here in Nellysford, VA.
Given the rural nature of the business we are creating, combining Belties with the project was a natural fit. They are unique, beautiful, and endearing animals that will add an authentic and magnetic dimension to the customer experience. The Belties will be on site for customers to view and interact with. Not only will they draw people to the business, but they will also create an infectious vibe that will keep people coming back. For these reasons, the Belties will be incorporated into all facets of the brand and customer experience.
Meet two of our lovable miniature Belties -
Bramble and Biscuit
Join us daily from 7:00 AM to 2:00 PM for a breakfast experience rooted in comfort, flavor, and farm-fresh tradition. At Belties, it’s more than just a meal—it’s a warm welcome to slow down and savor the morning.
Our thoughtfully crafted menu features handmade 18-layer southern-style biscuits, flavorful non-biscuit breakfast favorites, and wholesome options for those looking for a lighter start. From rich, aromatic specialty coffees roasted on site to satisfying seasonal dishes, everything we serve is made fresh and with care, just like it used to be.
Whether you're craving something hearty, something healthy, or just the perfect latte on a quiet porch morning, Belties is here to make every visit deliciously memorable.
The Menu
Belties Coffee
At Belties, coffee isn’t just a drink—it’s a craft rooted in care, connection, and quality. We roast our beans in-house using a state-of-the-art electric roaster with a minimal carbon footprint, ensuring every cup is as thoughtful as it is flavorful. Our beans are ethically sourced from farms around the world that pay a living wage and support sustainable agricultural practices.
Each of our signature roasts tells a story:
Farmhouse Blend (Ethiopia) – Bright and floral with delicate notes of lavender, boysenberry, Madagascar vanilla, and honey. A refined, elegant cup.
Galloway Gold (Colombia) – Smooth and balanced with rich caramel sweetness and a gentle nutty finish.
Herd Boss (Brazil) – Bold and full-bodied, with deep dark chocolate undertones and a satisfying toasted finish.
D’Calf (Peru, Organic) – Naturally decaffeinated and effortlessly smooth, with soft cocoa notes and a clean, mellow finish.
From hand-pulled espresso on our vintage La Marzocco machine from Florence, Italy, to smooth nitro and still cold brew, to freshly ground drip coffee, every sip at Belties is meant to slow you down and warm you up.
Whether you’re here for a quiet morning on the porch or a mid-day pick-me-up, our coffee is brewed with purpose—and always served with heart.
Belties Biscuits
At Belties, biscuits are more than just a side—they’re a centerpiece. Crafted fresh each day by our talented Biscuiteers, our signature 18-layer buttermilk biscuits are the result of a carefully curated recipe and process that delivers the perfect balance of flaky, tender, and buttery in every bite.
From bold and unexpected to classic and comforting, there’s a biscuit for every craving:
Try one of our signature creations like the Whoa Nelly or the Nelson, each piled high with our crispy, juicy fried chicken and unexpected flavor pairings that take biscuit sandwiches to a whole new level.
Craving something more traditional? The Hen House brings together fresh eggs, your choice of cheddar or goat cheese, and bacon or sausage for a hearty start to your day.
Or keep it simple with a biscuit and our house-made sausage gravy, or one topped with your choice of local jams, jellies, or whipped butters.
Every biscuit is made with care, served warm, and built to bring comfort, creativity, and just the right amount of Southern soul to your table.
The
Belties Experience
Site Overview
A Taste of Simpler Times in the Heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains
At Belties, we invite you to step away from the noise of everyday life and into a place where time slows down and the charm of country living takes center stage. Nestled in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains, our café and farm offer more than just coffee and breakfast—they offer a true retreat.
From the moment you arrive, you're welcomed into a setting that feels like home. Our spacious, traditional farmhouse café—thoughtfully designed with reclaimed elements from the original homestead—sets the tone for comfort and connection. Just beyond, you'll find our classic red barn, peaceful pastures, and our beloved Beltie cows grazing beneath wide open skies.
Whether you're enjoying a handcrafted biscuit on the wraparound porch, sipping freshly roasted coffee by the fire, or taking in the mountain views and the quiet rhythm of farm life, Belties is a place to relax, reconnect, and be present.
Come for the food, stay for the feeling. Belties is not just a café—it’s a mountain escape where every visit nourishes the soul as much as the body.
The Belties Farmhouse Cafe: A Taste of Tradition, A Place to Gather
At the heart of our farm sits the Belties Farmhouse Café—a lovingly built tribute to the original home that once stood on this land. Designed in a timeless farmhouse style, the café honors the spirit of the past while offering a warm, welcoming space for today’s guests.
Many elements of the original farmhouse live on here, including a majestic walnut tree that now forms the handcrafted tables throughout the café—each one a piece of the land’s story. Inside, generous seating is available in the main dining room and our spacious sunroom, both centered around a cozy double-sided fireplace that brings comfort in every season.
Outside, the wraparound front porch invites you to slow down and stay awhile. With its gentle ceiling fans, hanging ferns, and views of the surrounding countryside, it’s the perfect place to enjoy a peaceful meal or a quiet cup of coffee.
Whether you're here for a farm-fresh breakfast, a long lunch, or simply to take in the charm of the farm, the Belties Farmhouse Café offers a setting that feels like home—because in many ways, it is.
Welcome to Belties Park
Step into country living at Belties Park, nestled beside our charming farmhouse café. Here, the gentle pace of country life unfolds across the pasture, where our beloved Belted Galloway cows—affectionately known as "Belties"—graze peacefully in the shadow of our classic red barn.
Whether you're enjoying a picnic under the open sky, watching the Belties amble through the field, or simply soaking in the sights and sounds of the countryside, Belties Park is a place to reconnect with nature, with family, and with the joys of a slower, more meaningful way of life.
Bring a blanket, bring the kids, and bring your curiosity. There's room to roam, time to linger, and memories waiting to be made.
