unique “merroir-terroir” pairings of oysters & wine from Virginia’s signature Oyster Trial

Featured Oyster Purveyors/Vendors/Preparations:

Featured Wineries:

Featured Guest

Deborah Pratt, Virginia’s National Oyster Shucking Champion – The titles Deborah has won are too numerous to mention, but perhaps the recent challenge of edging out her nephew by mere seconds in the 2007 Urbanna Oyster Festival will be one of her most fond memories. That and making the trip to Ireland a few times to compete in the world championships.

Featured Artists

Stephanie Nakasian Trio – Stephanie is an exciting, seasoned vocalist and master of innovative jazz improvisation, completely authentic with a fresh and vibrant sound all her own.  Featured on “Fresh Air” with Terry Gross, she has toured and performed with many of the “greats” and brings high energy to every performance. and enthralls listeners with her pure tones and flawless delivery. Stephanie engages listeners on a personal level with a love for the music that is playful, electric and spontaneous in story and song.  Stephanie’s trio features guitar virtuoso Chris Whiteman and bassist Karl Kimmel (25 yrs the house bassist at The Homestead, VA) www.stephanienakasian.com

Chris Whiteman – Chris is a jazz guitar virtuoso having performed throughout the United States and Europe.  He has worked with Grammy-winning artists and producers, composed music for film and is an active touring artist. www.chriswhitemanmusic.com

Kipyn Martin –   Kipyn Martin is an emerging and award-winning Indie Folk artist who currently plays festivals, concert halls, coffeehouses, and house concerts from New England to Texas. 2017 saw the release of Kipyn’s second album, Dance Across the Sky, two songs from which earned Gold Awards in the Mid-Atlantic Song Contest (“Dance Across the Sky” and “God Is Love”). Kipyn also currently tours with duo partner Allison Shapira, performing Joan & Joni: A Tribute to the Music of Joan Baez and Joni Mitchell. See kipynmartin.com  or joanandjoni.com  and for more information.

“Oyster Shucking Workshop”

Kick off your festive weekend with a delicious oyster shucking and wine pairing workshop at the farm!

This hands-on experience includes a shucking lesson taught by Virginia’s world champion shucker, Deborah Pratt. You will have lots of practice as you learn how to properly and safely shuck oysters, guided by our expert. Learn how Virginia oysters are grown, what affects an oyster’s flavor, and how to taste and enjoy the nuances of oysters. Learn helpful tips on buying, storing and preparing oysters. Explore a variety of condiment techniques. You will leave as a confident oyster consumer however you choose to eat them: at home, in restaurants, or fresh from Virginia’s coastal region.

The Oyster Shucking Workshop includes:

• Hands-on instruction for shucking a dozen local oysters,
• A signature Oyster and Wine Festival shucking knife to take home with you,
• A pair of shucking gloves, just like Virginia watermen use,
• A dozen oysters to shuck and enjoy,
• A cooler bag for your future oyster purchases,
• Beverages, and
• A Virginia Oyster Trial recipe guide with a selection of favorite recipes from Trail site members across the Commonwealth.

Sponsors Private Farm-to-Fork Dinner

Set in family farm fashion, you will delight in a menu featuring exquisite dishes from Virginia “merroir and terroir” farms, blending their bounty into a unique culinary experience.“Farm-to-fork” stresses the importance of cooking with the freshest, local, regional and sustainably grown seasonal ingredients and alignment, our chef will combine the bounty of Virginia’s agricultural farms, where oysters farmed year ‘round in Virginia’s coastal waters.

“Valley Meets Bay” Sunday Brunch

Set in family farm fashion, you will delight in a menu featuring exquisite dishes from Virginia “merroir and terroir” farms, blending their bounty into a unique culinary experience.

Brunch includes Meal, two alcoholic beverages and a chance to win a Virginia Oyster Trail Get-Away.

Win a Virginia Oyster Trail “Weekend Get Away” (in partnership with Recreation News)

• 2 Nights Ma Margaret’s B & B, Reedville VA
• Dinner for 2 at Horn Harbor Restaurant, Burgess VA
• Dinner for 2 at Dredge, Irvington, VA
• Guided Behind the Scenes Oyster Production Tour
• 2 Tickets to the Watermen’s Museum, Reedville
• 2 Daytrip Cruise Tickets to Tangier Island