Virginia Aquaculture Oyster Growers in Region
#6. Lower Bay Western Shore

Use this regional flavor guide for Virginia Aquaculture Oysters to choose just the right oyster for the occasion.

The table at the end of this list below expresses the salinity of the growing region, as well as providing a scale rating for saltiness, sweetness, and buttery/creaminess.

Image of Oyster Growing Regions: 1. Seaside, 2. Upper Bay Eastern Shore, 3. Lower Bay Eastern Shore, 4. Upper Bay Western Shore, 5. Middle Bay Western Shore, 6. Lower Bay Western Shore, 7. Tidewater, 8. Tangier/Middle Chesapeake Bay

See only acquaculture oyster growers in a region: or return to the full list of acquaculture oyster growers.

Company NamePhone NumberWebsiteLocationMore Contact Info
Anderson’s Neck Oyster Company804-396-6680andersonsneck.comShacklefordsMore Contact Info
Chessie Seafood804-815-7982yorkriveroysters.comWicomicoMore Contact Info
Coastal Excavation Inc.804-654-6522www.coastalexcavation.comHartfieldMore Contact Info
David West804-695-4044 MascotMore Contact Info
Eastfields Farms804-725-3948 MathewsMore Contact Info
Godsey Seafood804-695-4026 OnemoMore Contact Info
Hayes Oyster Company, LLC757-707-0799hayesoystercompany.comWilliamsburgMore Contact Info
Jamie Godsey757-659-0808 PoquosonMore Contact Info
Matheson Oyster Co.804-815-5266mathesonoyster.comHayesMore Contact Info
Mobjack Bay Seafood Co./Ward Oyster Company804-693-7597mobjackbayseafood.comGloucesterMore Contact Info
Pepper Creek Shellfish Farm804-854-9518clams-extraordinaire.comMatthewsMore Contact Info
The Thalgen Company804-725-5374 MathewsMore Contact Info
Vogt Oyster Company dba Big Island Aquaculture757-344-8554www.bigislandaquaculture.comHayesMore Contact Info
Ward Oyster Company804-693-7597www.wardoyster.comGloucesterMore Contact Info
Winter Harbor Oysters, LLC804-212-5169winterharboroysters.comMechanicsvilleMore Contact Info

Virginia Aquaculture Oyster Regional Flavors

Scale:
1-2 : Barely Perceptible
3-4 : Slightly
5-6 : Moderate
7-8 : Very Noticeable
9 : Strong

Region Salinity Range Saltiness Buttery/Creamy Sweetness Comments
#1 Seaside 28-32 9 3 3 Initial bold saltiness mellowing into a taste of sweet butter/cream at the finish.
#2 Upper Bay Eastern Shore 16-18 5 1 3 Classic Virginia bay oyster flavor with balanced salt and sweet with a savory finish.
#3 Lower Bay Eastern Shore 18-22 7 3 3 Salty and Creamy with mellow sweetness and a quick finish.
#4 Upper Bay Western Shore 10-17 5 2 2 Sweetwater oyster with a light cream taste.
#5 Middle Bay Western Shore 16-18 5 3 3 Lightly salty with easily distinguished cream or butter and a pleasant slight minerality.
#6 Lower Bay Western Shore 16-18 5 2 2 Mild saltiness moving to a sweet finish.
#7 Tidewater 16-30 8 2 2 Salty oyster with a sweetness and a smooth finish.
#8 Tangier/Middle Chesapeake Bay 16-18 5 5 4 Traditional Virginia Bay Oyster flavor with a balance of salt and sweet, and a savory butter/cream finish.