Stratford Hall Historic Preserve’s famous Wine & Oyster Festival returns to the Northern Neck of Virginia on Saturday, September 20 from 10am to 6pm, and Sunday, September 21 from 11am to 4pm. Each fall, thousands of event visitors enjoy fresh, local oysters paired with tastings from Virginia wineries while listening to live music on the grounds of the circa 1738 Lee family Great House. Learn more at stratfordhall.org/wineandoysterfestival.
"The beginning of fall is always an exciting time here at Stratford Hall because that means it's almost time for the Wine & Oyster Festival, one of our cornerstone traditions offering a flavorful combination of Virginia wineries, local oyster growers, live music, and artisan vendors from across the Commonwealth," said Karen L. Daly, President, Stratford Hall Historic Preserve. "The Wine & Oyster Festival showcases much of what makes our 1,800-acre historic preserve a valuable landmark on Virginia's Northern Neck—a gathering place for history, community, food and drink along the Potomac River. Ahead of this exciting signature event, I want to take a moment to thank our generous sponsors, both new and returning vendors, as well as the visitors who may be exploring Stratford Hall Historic Preserve for the very first time."
Stratford Hall Historic Preserve
Featured wineries include Briede Family Vineyards, LLC, Ditchley Cider Works & Farm, Front Four Cellars of VA, General's Ridge Vineyard, Horton Vineyards, Ingleside Vineyards, Lake Anna Winery, Lazy Days Winery, Mattaponi Winery Inc., Philip Carter Winery, Rogers Ford Farm Winery, The Estate at White Hall Vineyard, Three Leg Run Winery, Wind Vineyards, and Zoll Vineyards. Visitors will also find KO Distilling, Springfield Distillery, Virago Spirits, Adventure Brewing Company, and Al Pugh Distributing Company at the festival this year. A sampling of food vendors includes Amiee's Sandwiches, Bright Eyes Concession & Catering Cargo, Gregory’s Grill, Healthy Harvest Food Truck, Nomini Bay Oyster Ranch, Salty Bob’s Oyster & Seafood, and Sara Festivals.
Craft and artisan booths, barrel train rides, alpacas, and even on-site video games will entertain visitors of all ages on both days of the festival. Plus, car shows on Stratford Hall’s Oval are always a treat. Pony Riders Mustang Club and Victory 7 Mustang Club will be on display on Saturday, with Memory Lane Car Club on Sunday. The Great House will be open on Saturday from 10am to 2pm and Sunday from 11am to 2pm for walkthrough tours. The fun doesn’t stop there—Guests can wander the beautiful gardens, experience the Cliffs Overlook above the Potomac River, and discover local wares and gifts at the Gift Shop.
Festival Party Tents Are Still Available!
For $325, a party with any number of guests can enjoy a shaded, private space that includes a 15'x15' frame tent, 8' long table, and four chairs. The party tents will be in a great location near the live music with a wonderful view of the Great House. Purchasers can choose one of three time slots: Saturday, September 20 from 10am to 2pm OR 2pm to 6pm; Sunday, September 21 from 11am to 4pm. Tent reservations are made at checkout alongside ticket purchases. Limited tents are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Festival tickets are not included.
Lodging & Breakfast
Guests can make the most of their weekend by enjoying Festival lodging rates in the Cheek & Astor Guest Houses for $195 per night. Or, stay with friends and family in a cozy Log Cabin; 1-bedroom $240 per night, 2-bedroom $310, and 3-bedroom $370 per night. Advanced reservations required. Call 804-493-1967 or email reservations@stratfordhall.org. Lodging guests enjoy two complimentary breakfast tickets per room in their reservation!
Any Festival attendee is welcome to attend a country breakfast buffet in the Dining Room on either morning, from 8am to 10am. Breakfast is $30 for ages 12 and older; $15 for ages 11 and under. The buffet includes biscuits and gravy, scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, fresh fruit and a yogurt bar, with coffee, tea, and orange juice. Pre-registration is required at bit.ly/CountryBreakfast2025.
Meet the Festival Sponsors
2025 Sponsors include Platinum Sponsors: Clements Tent Rentals, Virginia Tourism Corporation; Gold Sponsors: Four Elements Electric, Local Services LLC, River City Golf Carts; Silver Sponsors: The Dove Team, King George Realty, Renewal by Andersen; Bronze Sponsors: Bartlett Tree Experts, Cralle Insurance Agency Inc., DK Direct LLC, Fredericksburg Dental Center - Dr. Kent Archibald, Jimmy Coates - EXIT Mid-Rivers Realty, and Visiting Angels. Sponsorship opportunities are still available! Email coneill@stratfordhall.org or call 804-493-1946.
Purchase Tickets
Early Bird Tasting Tickets: $35 (on sale through Thursday September 18)
General Admission Tasting Tickets at the Gate: $45
Non-Tasting Tickets: $25
Children Ages 7 – 12: $10
Children Ages 6 & Under: FREE
Early Bird tickets available at bit.ly/wineandoysterfestival2025
What does a ticket include? The Tasting Ticket includes samples from all participating wineries, a souvenir wine glass, and access to the Great House during select hours. Tickets are valid for one day only. To attend both Saturday and Sunday, guests must purchase one ticket per day (two total to attend both days per person). Tasting Tickets are for wine tasting only and do not include other tastings or food. This event is held rain-or-shine, and tickets are non-refundable.
About Stratford Hall Historic Preserve
Stratford Hall Historic Preserve, a National Historic Landmark in Westmoreland County, Virginia, brings together people from around the world to experience 1,800 acres of natural and human history, preserved and presented so that they can all learn from the courageous struggles of their ancestors, taking inspiration both from what they endured and what they accomplished. With the approach of the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 2026, now is a significant time to elevate the stories of the people who lived and labored here, including two signers of the Declaration of Independence, revolutionaries, and the Africans and African Americans who shaped the history of Stratford Hall. Learn more at www.stratfordhall.org.
