Lady Oyster Tours & Tastings is Maine’s leading oyster experience in seafood culinary tourism! Our mission is to cultivate a deeper appreciation for Maine oysters and promote coastal heritage through sensory tastings, educational farm tours, and unforgettable seafood retreats.

Our values:

1) A Rising Tide Lifts all Boats: We are proud ambassadors for Maine’s most environmentally sustainable seafood producers. As a force multiplier for our state’s aquaculture, we elevate oysters to their rightful place as a world-class delicacy and cultural symbol. Our success is shared. Every experience we deliver contributes to the resilience of our coast and the people who shape it.

2) Gastronomic Integrity: We hold ourselves to the highest standards of hospitality and culinary storytelling. Every experience is curated to deepen our guests’ connection to Maine, through taste, place, and narrative. We honor the legacy of this coast by delivering immersive, thoughtful experiences with detail and pride.

3) Creative Ownership: We empower our team to lead boldly—with curiosity, initiative, and pride. We encourage experimentation, reward great ideas, and believe every team member plays a role in crafting unforgettable guest experiences.

Virginia Shaffer, Founder

Virginia Shaffer is a food writer, oyster sommelier, and the founder of Lady Oyster Tours & Tastings, Maine’s first oyster culinary tour company, which was globally awarded “Best Rural Culinary Heritage Experience” in 2025 by the World Food Travel Association. 

Virginia has written about shellfish for over ten years and has been featured on NPR, Boston Chronicle, and in publications such as Edible, Good Grit, MyMaine, Post and Courier, and more. She holds a certificate in Gastronomic Tourism from Le Cordon Bleu Paris, and a B.A. in International Studies from American University. Virginia lives in Bath with her husband, Warwick, two loyal collies, Tulip and Daffodil, and Woody, the pesky cat.

Joe Jerome, Master Captain

Joe is a Registered Maine Guide and holds a Master Captain's License, two credentials that demonstrate his deep passion and knowledge of Maine, the aquaculture industry, and boat safety. He partners with Virginia to deliver our unique, oyster farm cruises.

Joe is the founder and operator of North East Salt Water, a private fishing and farm tour charter business in Maine. He also works for the Basin Oyster Project teaching K-12 groups about shellfish reef regeneration.

Joe has a lifelong passion for chasing stripers and crabs along the East Coast and knows his way around the rugged islands and shorelines of Maine!

Warwick Ombler, Luxury Tourism Advisor & Culinary Operations

Warwick is a 25+ year luxury travel agent by trade. Warwick serves as an advisory member to Lady Oyster for delivering a 5-star tourism experience. He consults on our partnerships with Destination Management Companies, Travel Agencies, and other tourism partners.

Warwick is also the best seafood home cook in Bath! He serves as a second set of hands for master shucking, bread making, menu preparing, and team morale.

Warwick and I are proud to take part in the Maine oyster community, which is a pioneering place for shellsifh aquaculture and eco-tourism in the United States. Alongside our friends in aquaculture and culinary spheres, we're building experiences that introduce everyday people to the power of sea farming.