Join Early Mountain and Chatham vineyards as they team up to present their first Oyster Festival, which takes place at Early Mountain on Saturday, March 23. A $55 ticket gets you an endless supply of Eastern Shore oysters, clams, and chowder with all the fixins’. To wash it down, the ticket includes two glasses of Church Creek Chardonnay. Guests can nosh while enjoying music by Chamomile & Whiskey and Green Boy. A limited number of VIP tickets are available for $65, which include a seat in the studio audience for the live recording of D.C.-based hosts, Nycci and David Nellis, also known as Foodie and the Beast. The show covers all topics related to food gossip and the best restaurants, bistros, ingredients, and tipples on the scene. VIP entry is at 10am, and regular entry is from noon-5pm. More information can be found at earlymountainvineyard.com/events/oyster-festival.
Chef Harrison Keevil of Brookville Restaurant is a proud new father and is already stretching his daddy legs with “family meals” at the restaurant he owns with his wife, Jennifer. Dinner for larger groups is now available for dining in, taking out, or even delivery (for an extra fee). Tables of four to 18 may dine in the restaurant with family-style platters, with a choice of protein and four sides for between $40-75 per person. Larger parties of four to 100 may opt instead for the intimacy of a party at home without the hassle of cooking. All meals come with Brookville’s signature bacon chocolate chip cookies for dessert. Choose from fried or roasted chicken, pot pie, prime rib, pork belly or loin, and a selection of four seasonal accompanying sides. Call 202-2791 with 24 hours notice.
In further foodie and winery news, Blenheim Vineyards is starting the second leg of its Artisan Series with a focus on the Art & Craft of Fermentation. The interactive series of speakers will begin with Hunter Smith of Champion Brewing Company, who will discuss the art of brewing. He will bring samples and discuss what it takes to be a brewmaster, including the challenges he faces owning a nanobrewery in a drinking town. Join in at 6pm on Thursday, March 14. Other speakers include L’étoile chef Ian Redshaw, who will explain dry-aging beef and the science behind meat curing, and Gerry Newman of Albemarle Baking Company, who will discuss fermenting dough and making bread. Other topics include kombucha, pickled vegetables, cheesemaking, and vinegar. The series will run selected Thursday evenings through June, and the cost is $10. Wine is available by the glass, to prove that learning really can be fun. RSVP to greg@blenheimvineyards.com or call 293-5366 to snag your seat.
Pick up your Winter Wonderland passport for access to tasting privileges at Castle Hill Cider, Jefferson Vineyards, Glass House Winery, and Keswick Vineyards. The four spots have teamed up to spread the word with an affordable $15 price tag. This package is available now through the end of March. Pick up your passport at any of the four participating locations.