Basic Profile

Origin
York River, Gloucester County, Virginia, USA
Species
Crassostrea virginica (Eastern Oyster)
Classification
Farmed; single producer
Farming Method
Local hatchery seed, grown in the river's steady current
Producer
Cappahosic Oyster Company (Mark Vann and Marcia Berman)
Visual Signature
Eastern oyster shell

Mark Vann came back to Gloucester, Virginia, in 2013 with a job in medical sales and bought the property next to the house he grew up in. As a weekend hobby he planted 50,000 oysters in the York River. Three years later it was a company.1

The Coleman Bridge over the York River at night, between Yorktown and Gloucester Point, Virginia
The Coleman Bridge over the York River at night, between Yorktown and Gloucester Point, Virginia. Photo: CoastalVibes / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Who Is Behind It

Vann trained in forest products at Virginia Tech. His wife, Marcia Berman, worked for 33 years as a marine scientist at the Virginia Institute of Marine Science, which sits on the same river. Vann now plants in the millions and credits four things: the York's salinity, seed from a local hatchery, constant circulation of water, and tedious husbandry.1

The farm sells three sizes. Minnie Pearls are petite, Victory Points are market size, and High Marks run up to five inches. They are on dozens of menus from Yorktown to Charlottesville, and half the business ships out of state.1 The river is covered in the York River profile.

Flavor Breakdown

The water
The lower York is in the middle of the bay's salt range. Our scores put sweetness at four and brine at two.
By size
A Minnie Pearl is a sweet two-bite oyster. A High Mark at five inches is a meal, and better roasted than raw.

What Makes Cappahosic Unique

A small York River farm where the grower came from medical sales and the science came from the family.1

A sweet, creamy Virginia river oyster in three sizes. Ask for the Minnie Pearls on the half shell.

Should You Add Lemon?

Yes

Sweet and creamy, good with a squeeze.

Pairing Guide

1
Virginia Chardonnay, unoaked

Local and round.

2
Albariño

Adds salt and acid.

OptimalLemon
AcceptableMignonette
AvoidHeavy cocktail sauce

Who Is This For?

Will love it
  • People who like sweet river oysters
  • Visitors to Yorktown and Williamsburg
Sources
  1. Virginia Water Trails (21 February 2021). "Meet the Crew Behind Cappahosic Oyster Company." virginiawatertrails.org
Tasting notes & flavor profile in the Oysterminds app →