Briny, sweet, mineral, vegetal… Get ready for your tastebuds to travel!

Akin to a sommelier-led wine tasting, an oyster tasting is a guided tour through nature, labor, time, and flavor. Virginia currently hosts oyster tastings in West Point, just 15 minutes south of Bath, ME.

She is also open to hosting private oyster tasting events along the Mid Coast. Please inquire here.

Virginia is an Oyster Master Guild Certified™️ Oyster Ambassador who provides expert guidance across:

✓ Aquaculture practices
✓ Drink and accoutrement pairings 
✓ The ecology of Maine’s estuaries and bays
✓ Indigenous heritage
✓ Modern tasting etiquette
✓ How to identify oyster aromas, flavors, mouthfeel, and finish

Over the course of an hour, you’ll learn to seek out the subtle nuances of Maine waters, receive a tasting wheel and a tasting notes booklet, enjoy personal stories and anecdotes about the farmers, and have the opportunity to mix and match delicious pairings!

✓ Expert-led tasting experience
✓ 9 oysters per person
✓ 2 drink pairings per person
✓ A selection of freshly-made accoutrements and crusty bread
✓ A take-home oyster tasting journal & tasting wheel

Suitable for ages 21+
60-minute duration

$75 / Per Person

Virginia Shaffer is a food writer and Oyster Master Guild Certified™️ Oyster Ambassador who has written and studied oysters for over 7 years. She holds a B.A. in International Studies and a certificate in Gastronomic Tourism by Le Cordon Bleu in France. Virginia has led oyster appreciation nights at prestigious venues like the National Arts Club in Gramercy Park, NY.

Virginia’s oyster tastings guide guests through Maine’s bountiful rivers and bays. From farm stories to tasting profiles, she serves as an enthusiastic representative of Maine’s aquaculture community.