The Stratford Hall Wine and Oyster Festival returned on September 17 and 18 to the historic Northern Neck. Unfolding in front of the 18th-century Great House, Stratford Hall’s signature event featured tastings from Virginia wineries, coastal oysters, craft breweries, spirits, artisan booths, live music, and family-friendly activities. Participating wineries and oyster growers included Chateau Morrisette Winery, Ditchley Cider Works & Farm, Eastwood Farm and Winery, General’s Ridge Vineyard, Good Luck Cellars, Ingleside Vineyards, Mattaponi Winery, Notaviva Winery, Philip Carter Winery of Virginia, Rogers Ford Farm Winery, The Estate at White Hall Vineyard, The Williamsburg Winery, Denson’s Chesapeake Bay Farm to Table Oyster Bar, Gregory’s Grill, Nomini Bay Oyster Ranch, and Salty Bob’s Seafood, respectively.
Although wineries and oyster growers comprise the main event, there were other specialties awaiting the more 3,600 attendees over the two-day festival — craft brews and spirits from Adventure Brewing Company, Al Pugh Distributing Company, Copper Fox Distillery, Highmark Brewery, and Ice House Brewery were offered. In addition, a variety of local food vendors including 2 Fish Bistro & Tackle, Amiee’s Sandwiches, Asia Fusion Elite, Bright Eyes Concession & Catering Cargo, Daddy’s Baby BBQ, Dogs and Hogs Gone Wild Hot Dog Cart, Sweet Lew’s Kettle Corn, Sweetest Surrender, LLC, and The UFO Truck served up barbecue, crab cakes, and other festival foods. Local artisan booths, live music, and a kids zone with a bounce house and face painting on both days of the festival provided fun for all ages. The wine and oyster tastings, food, and fun are just the beginning of what you can expect at this annual festival. Self-guided audio tours were offered at the eighteenth century Great House. Wandering the beautiful gardens, a trip to the Cliffs overlooking the Potomac River, and discovering local wares at the Gift Shop offers the opportunity to explore more of Stratford Hall. The car shows are always a highlight with the Victory 7 Mustang Club & Pony Riders Mustang Club on display Saturday and Memory Lane Classic Cars on Sunday.
Sponsors for the fall 2022 festival were: Signature Sponsor C&F Bank; Gold Sponsors: A&S Environmental, Inc; Bay Transit A Division of Bay Aging; NTouchTel; River City Golf Carts; Silver Sponsors: Richard Cottrell, DDS & Associates; Dockside Realty - Colonial Beach; Jimmy & Kathy Dove, EXIT MID-RIVERS REALTY; Bronze Sponsors: Jimmy Coates, EXIT MID-RIVERS REALTY; Communication Design, Inc; DK Direct; Fredericksburg Dental Center - Dr. Kent Archibald; Eddie Windsor, Century 21 Redwood Realty.
Save the Date for 2023 Wine & Oyster Festival:
September 16th & 17th!