Cherrystone Aqua-Farms
About Cherrystone Aqua-Farms
Cherrystone Aqua-Farms was founded in 1895 on Virginia's Eastern Shore, initially focusing on oyster farming before shifting to clam cultivation in the 1960s, then returning to oyster cultivation with innovative products like the Chunu.
Farm details
- Cultivation Method
- floating bags
- Growing Waters
- Chincoteague Island, Virginia; Chincoteague Bay; Virginia's Eastern Shore; Eastern Shore, Virginia; James River, Virginia; Lower Chesapeake Bay, Virginia; Pope's Bay, Eastern Shore, Virginia; Fisherman Island, Virginia; Virginia National Wildlife Refuge
Oysters from Cherrystone Aqua-Farms
Chincoteague
US East CoastThe aristocrat of American oysters. Intensely briny and ocean-forward, with firm, full meat and a remarkably clean finish. Chincoteague is the appellation, the name for oysters from the bays around the island; Rappahannock Oyster Co. sells the ones it grows there under its own brand, Olde Salt.
Chunu
US East CoastPremium cocktail-sized oyster from Virginia's Eastern Shore. Similar in size to Kumamotos but with East Coast character—highly salty, smooth, and sweet with a deep cup and firm texture.
James River
US East CoastA mild Virginia oyster from the brackish waters where the James River meets the Chesapeake Bay. Exceptionally plump with low salinity, focusing on sweet cream and savory, earthy notes with a smooth finish.
Misty Point
US East CoastPremium Virginia oyster from Pope's Bay on the Eastern Shore. Exceptionally plump with sharp, high salinity upfront that fades into bright, sweet hints of celery and melon. Deep-cupped with superior meat-to-shell ratio.
Northern Cross
US East CoastA boutique Virginia oyster with exceptional complexity. Grown by Bubba Frisby using a unique two-stage process, finishing in super-salty cold waters of the Virginia National Wildlife Refuge. Much brinier than typical Virginia oysters with a supersweet finish.