The Liz Moore Market Watch Blog

One of the many reasons to #lovewhereyoulive on Virginia's Northern Neck or the surrounding areas is local oysters...and it's currently oyster season!

Oysters are a cold-weather food, meant to come from water so frigid only the salt stops the ice from forming. , that is September - April.

From salty to sweet, buttery to briny, Virginia’s oysters taste just like the waters they came from– whether it’s the mighty Rappahannock, the Chesapeake Bay, or the Atlantic Ocean.

These tiny yet tasty delicacies can be served raw, steamed, baked, fried, roasted…there really is no wrong way to cook oysters!

Here are our favorite ways to top an oyster:

Sweet Chili Oysters
Fill each oyster on the half shell with 1 tsp grated parmesan, then top with 1 tsp sweet chili sauce.
Grill at medium heat until cheese melts.

Mignonette Sauce
Combine 1 minced shallot, 1/2 tsp black pepper, 1/2 c champagne vinegar.
Serve alongside raw oysters.

Oysters with Classic Tartar
Whisk 1 c mayo, 1 c chopped dill pickles, 1 tsp parsley, 1 tsp lemon juice, 1 tsp sugar, 1/4 tsp pepper.
Serve alongside raw, roasted, or fried oysters.

One thing is for sure, there's no shortage of wineries, breweries, and cideries (oh my!) in the Northern Neck of Virginia.  Perfect for a day trip or a night out, here's a list of our favorites:

General’s Ridge Vineyard
1618 Weldons Drive
Hague, VA 22469
804.472.3172

Ingleside Vineyards
5872 Leedstown Road
Oak Grove, VA 22443
804.224.8687

The Hague Winery
8268 Cople Highway
Hague, VA 22469
804.472.5283

Jacey Vineyards
619 Train Lane
Wicomico Church, VA 22579
804.580.4053

Good Luck Cellars
1025 Good Luck Road
Kilmarnock, VA 22482
804.435.1416

Triple V Farms
3138 Jessie duPont Memorial Highway
Heathsville, VA 22473
804.724.5765

Ditchley Cider Works
1571 Ditchley Road
Kilmarnock, VA 22482
804.435.2886

Kilmarnock Brewhaus
44 W Church Street
Kilmarnock, VA 22482
804.436.6207

Callao Brewing Company
129 Northumberland Hwy
Callao, VA 22435
804.529.1042

With the arrival of Spring comes the opening of farmers' markets and Virginia's Northern Neck has many great local spots to choose from.  Support a farmer and enjoy fresh, local produce at our recommended markets:

Irvington Farmers’ Market 
1st Saturday of the Month
May-November 9:00am-1:00pm
Irvington Commons, 98 King Carter Drive
Irvington, VA 22480

Kellum Farms
Produce & Seafood
Open Daily 9:00am-5:30pm
3413 Irvington Road
Irvington, VA 22480

Old Farm Truck Market
Wed & Sat: 9:00am-3:00pm
Thu & Fri: 9:00am-5:00pm
453 Rappahannock Drive
White Stone, VA 22578

Dug In Farms
Open Daily 9:00am-5:00pm
155 Fleets Bay Road
White Stone, VA 22578

Garner’s Farm & Market
Open Daily April through Thanksgiving
9:00am-6:00pm
22645 Kings Highway
Warsaw, VA 22572

Heathsville Farmers’ Market
3rd Saturday of the Month
April-October, 9:00am-1:00pm
Rice’s Hotel/Hughlett’s Tavern
73 Monument Place, Heathsville, VA 22473

Serving breakfast, lunch, take out, outdoor dining, specialty oils, pastries, and more, a stop at Carried Away Cuisine is a must next time you are in downtown Kilmarnock, Virginia!

As Fall arrives, so does apple picking season in Virginia.  Here are some of our favorite destinations that make for a great day trip.

1. Carter Mountain Apple Orchard
Pick your own apples, enjoy the beautiful views, and treat yourself to the famous apple cider donuts!
1435 Carters Mountain Trail,
Charlottesville, VA 22901

2. Rock Hill Orchard
Pick your own apples or select from a variety of
pre-picked apples! Enjoy the famous apple butter as well. Call ahead for hours.
3151 Elon Road,
Monroe, VA 24574

3. Stribling Orchard
A beautiful orchard farmed by the Stribling family for 6 generations. Pick your own apples and enjoy their fabulous apple pie!
11587 Poverty Hollow Ln, Markham, VA 22643

4. Graves’ Mountain Orchard
Go apple picking here in October and enjoy their family-friendly apple harvest festival!
205 Graves Mountain Lane,
Syria, VA 22743

By Susan McFadden

For visitors looking for a more bed and breakfast lodging and dining experience, the Kilmarnock Inn is the port of call. Located on a side street in the charming, walkable Town of Kilmarnock, the inn reflects Virginia’s rich presidential history.

Each of the Kilmarnock Inn’s eight guest cottages is named for a Virginia-born president, such as the Wilson House named for the 28th president Woodrow Wilson.

A classic Southern-style comfort foods menu is served in the Jefferson Gathering Room, or guests can enjoy al fresco dining on the back deck during warm-weather months. The dining facilities are open to the public. Kilmarnock Inn guests enjoy a complimentary full breakfast during each morning of their stay.

By Susan McFadden

Many visitors first discovered the Northern Neck when they moored their boat at one of the many marinas that inhabit the 1,100 miles of coastline or cruised into the marina at the Tides Inn in Irvington, the region’s premier resort, which opened its doors in 1947. The 47-room resort was the brainchild of local residents E.A. Stephens and his wife, Ann. They purchased a 25-acre farm with extraordinary water views and, through a leap of faith, built an inn that welcomed families and couples with room rates starting at $14 per night.

Today, the Tides Inn is still the regional premier resort drawing guests from across the world, the USA, and the Mid-Atlantic. According to their website, the Tides Inn “…continues to introduce new guest experiences, inviting visitors to create their own All-American traditions along the Chesapeake Bay.

Under the management of Enchantment Group, refreshed public and meeting spaces were unveiled in 2019.”
Although the nightly rates are considerably higher than in 1947, the accommodations and resort amenities rival those located in more well-known destinations.

One of many notable perks for Tides Inn guests is the Premier Sailing School that operates from the resort during the summer months. Premier Sailing’s owner Arabella Denvir and her husband Phil
founded the school in 1998 after a long and accomplished sailing history that included years of cruising and racing in Ireland and England’s waters. They also founded the Malta Sailing School and Malta Young Sailors Club before bringing their business model to the lower Northern Neck. Phil passed away
in 2011, but Arabella and her seasonal staff of experienced sailors continue to introduce children, couples, and families to the joy of sailing through personalized instruction.

Classes are not limited to Tides Inn guests but are open to the public. Premier Sailing also offers its Junior Sailing Program to non-members through the Rappahannock River Yacht Club.