Wine, Oyster Festival Returns
July 25, 2018
By SHELBY MERTENS
Daily News-Record 7/25/18
HARRISONBURG — After generating a lot of interest last year, On Sunny Slope Farm is bringing back the Wine and Oyster Festival on Aug. 5.
Last year’s festival was a success, organizers say, drawing 800 people to the farm at 1825 Sunny Slope Lane. The festival will take place from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
“Basically, it seemed like it was something fun to do,” said Harry Jarrett Jr., the owner of On Sunny Slope Farm. “I’m a lover of both wine and oysters.”
This year’s festival features five new wineries, bringing a total of 10 Shenandoah Valley wineries, including Bluestone Vineyard, Third Hill at DeMello Vineyards, CrossKeys Vineyards, North Mountain Vineyard & Winery, White Oak Lavender Farm, Castle Glen Estates Winery and Cave Ridge Vineyard and Winery.
Big Island Aquaculture will return as the festival’s sole oyster provider. The oysters come from the Chesapeake Bay region.
“They are actually grown between the York River and Mobjack Bay and Myrtle Point Narrows,” Jarrett said. “The oysters are superb.”
“The big hit last year were the grilled oysters,” he added. “Freshly shucked oysters on the grill, people just loved those.”
Big Island Aquaculture, based in Hayes, is a member of the Virginia Oyster Trail, which is a part of the Artisans Center of Virginia, an organization that “fosters artisan-focused economic growth, develops vibrant communities and facilitates connective visitor experiences. As an entrepreneur development organization, ACV provides services, resources and networking opportunities to growing small businesses,” according to its website.
Proceeds from the festival will benefit the Artisans Center of Virginia, which
also operates the Harrisonburg-Rockingham Artisans Trail along with the more than 15 trail networks across the state. On Sunny Slope Farm is a member of the local artisans trail network.
The Wine and Oyster Festival also features culinary pairings provided by local restaurants and food vendors: Dayton Tavern, Paella Perfecta, Grape and Vine Kitchen, Mashita Food Truck, Taj of India, Smiley’s Ice Cream and Kraken Cakes.
Taj of India, Paella Perfecta and Vine and Grape Kitchen are new additions this year, with the rest returning.
“We try to choose foods and vendors that will be able to prepare menus that pair well with the local wines that we are having, and we encourage them to do something with oysters as well,” Jarrett said. Jarrett said he also plans to have a local chef give a presentation about pairing wine and oysters, followed by tastings.
Live music will be performed by Randy Black and members of Stone Rollin’, Mark Whetzel and Jordan Mitchell.
Designs by Melanie, Bowl by Bowles, BrydgeWorks Glass and Rick’s Pens are a few of the vendors that will set up booths at the festival.
“It’s nice that it went well enough last year that we were able to do it again this year,” Jarrett said.
The festival is rain or shine.
Tickets are $35 online or $45 at the door.
ABOVE: A patron at last year’s Wine and Oyster Festival tastes wines from Bluestone Vineyard. After generating a lot of interest in 2017, On Sunny Slope Farm is bringing back the festival on Aug. 5. BELOW: Last year’s festival drew 800 people to the farm, organizers say.
Daily News-Record 7/25/18
HARRISONBURG — After generating a lot of interest last year, On Sunny Slope Farm is bringing back the Wine and Oyster Festival on Aug. 5.
Last year’s festival was a success, organizers say, drawing 800 people to the farm at 1825 Sunny Slope Lane. The festival will take place from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
“Basically, it seemed like it was something fun to do,” said Harry Jarrett Jr., the owner of On Sunny Slope Farm. “I’m a lover of both wine and oysters.”
This year’s festival features five new wineries, bringing a total of 10 Shenandoah Valley wineries, including Bluestone Vineyard, Third Hill at DeMello Vineyards, CrossKeys Vineyards, North Mountain Vineyard & Winery, White Oak Lavender Farm, Castle Glen Estates Winery and Cave Ridge Vineyard and Winery.
Big Island Aquaculture will return as the festival’s sole oyster provider. The oysters come from the Chesapeake Bay region.
“They are actually grown between the York River and Mobjack Bay and Myrtle Point Narrows,” Jarrett said. “The oysters are superb.”
“The big hit last year were the grilled oysters,” he added. “Freshly shucked oysters on the grill, people just loved those.”
Big Island Aquaculture, based in Hayes, is a member of the Virginia Oyster Trail, which is a part of the Artisans Center of Virginia, an organization that “fosters artisan-focused economic growth, develops vibrant communities and facilitates connective visitor experiences. As an entrepreneur development organization, ACV provides services, resources and networking opportunities to growing small businesses,” according to its website.
Proceeds from the festival will benefit the Artisans Center of Virginia, which
also operates the Harrisonburg-Rockingham Artisans Trail along with the more than 15 trail networks across the state. On Sunny Slope Farm is a member of the local artisans trail network.
The Wine and Oyster Festival also features culinary pairings provided by local restaurants and food vendors: Dayton Tavern, Paella Perfecta, Grape and Vine Kitchen, Mashita Food Truck, Taj of India, Smiley’s Ice Cream and Kraken Cakes.
Taj of India, Paella Perfecta and Vine and Grape Kitchen are new additions this year, with the rest returning.
“We try to choose foods and vendors that will be able to prepare menus that pair well with the local wines that we are having, and we encourage them to do something with oysters as well,” Jarrett said. Jarrett said he also plans to have a local chef give a presentation about pairing wine and oysters, followed by tastings.
Live music will be performed by Randy Black and members of Stone Rollin’, Mark Whetzel and Jordan Mitchell.
Designs by Melanie, Bowl by Bowles, BrydgeWorks Glass and Rick’s Pens are a few of the vendors that will set up booths at the festival.
“It’s nice that it went well enough last year that we were able to do it again this year,” Jarrett said.
The festival is rain or shine.
Tickets are $35 online or $45 at the door.
ABOVE: A patron at last year’s Wine and Oyster Festival tastes wines from Bluestone Vineyard. After generating a lot of interest in 2017, On Sunny Slope Farm is bringing back the festival on Aug. 5. BELOW: Last year’s festival drew 800 people to the farm, organizers say.
