White Boot Blog

Oysters and Virginia Wine Pairings

Virginia oysters are a culinary gem, known for their distinct flavors that vary from region to region along the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries. Each oyster’s unique taste is influenced by the waters in which it is harvested, making Virginia an oyster lover’s paradise. To truly appreciate these briny treasures, pairing them with the right wine can elevate the experience, creating a harmony of flavors that showcases the best of both. Here’s a guide to some of the finest wine pairings for Virginia oysters, highlighting the specific regions they come from and why these combinations work so well.

To understand the suggested pairings, we recommend reading our Perfect Pairings: Exploring Virginia Oysters and Wine Pairings blog.

Below, you will find some suggested wines from Virginia Oyster Trail members to pair with the perfect oyster.

Sauvignon Blanc
Gauthier Vineyard offers a sauvignon blanc from 2022. It is described as “light body and refreshing.”

Ingelside Vineyards offers a wine part of their Chesapeake Series of wines that pair well with seafood. The Blue Crab Blanc is described having a “slightly sweet finish.”

Williamsburg Winery has a 2022 Virginia sauvignon blanc. This wine is described as “The mouthfeel is bright and inviting with lemon grass and tropical noes prevailing while still maintaining a soft creamy approachable distinction. Overall, well balanced easy drinking wine with a pleasant finish. A very food friendly wine.”

Albariño
Ingelside Vineyards has a limited-production of its Albariño from 2023. This wine is only available in the tasting room and online store. The 2023 Albariño was produced from just over four acres of vines from three vineyard sites on their property. Their most established Albariño vines are over ten years old, and newer vines have been planted in recent years.

Roughly 57% of this wine was fermented in stainless steel and 43% was fermented in oak barrels. The resulting blend brings a unique twist to their traditional stainless steel Albarino. The wine is described as a “fruit-forward, aromatic wine.”

Awards
SILVER – San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition 2025
SILVER – VA Governor’s Cup Competition 2025
BRONZE – Atlantic Seaboard Wine Competition 2024

Other Options
Ingelside Vineyards offers a new release, Coastal White, part of their Chesapeake Series of wines. The Coastal White Lot 21 is a dry Chardonnay that was fermented and aged in stainless steel, and shows a crisp, clean acidity.

Pearmund Cellars has a 2023 Sunshine, which is a white table wine that is a light dry blend of Videl, Traminette, Viognier, Muscat, and Sauvignon Blanc. It is described as “perfect for a summer day.”

Williamsburg Winery offers the 2023 Wessex Hundred Dry Rose. This wine is described as “This Rose has a fruity bouquet of banana, lemon, currants, stone fruits, strawberry and blueberry. Alongside all these fruits there is a fresh element of aloe and eucalyptus with some green and black pepper notes.”

Other wines that pair well with oysters include champagne, Chablis, and muscadet.