Watch Hill Oysters are grown in Winnapaug Pond in Westerly RI. Grown by Jeff Gardner in shallow waters allowing for a unique briny flavor that has become a signature for the region
Watch Hill Oysters are grown in Winnapaug Pond nestled in the town of Westerly R.I. just a short walk from the Misquamicut Beaches. Having our oysters grow in a natural salt pond shelters them from harsh weather, while its shallow tide and proximity to the ocean provides rich nutrients for them to grow. Many who have tasted our product have commented that they have the “Taste of the Ocean”, and we attribute this unique flavor to both our location and the way we raise them. Our oysters are grown in elevated off bottom trays that maintain the circulation of water and have the added benefit of creating a habitat for much of the local wildlife. Green crabs, blue crabs, eels, and a variety of fish have been found to be thriving on the 7 acre lease. We’ve even come across a few seahorses and baby flounder in our gear while we work. Jeffery Gardner established Watch Hill Oysters in 1993 with an ongoing goal of providing a flavor filled product while bettering the local environment with virtually no carbon footprint.
The growing popularity of our oysters has led to us be a feature in numerous celebrated events over the years. Recently we took part in the NYC Food & Wine Festival and Martha Stewarts American Made Awards Reception both of which prepared our oysters in compelling and unique ways. Always an advocate for Farm to Table eating we are proud to provide our oysters to many local eateries, as well as supplying restaurants like Grand Central Station Oyster Bar for the past 20 years. We’ve also had the honor of being labeled as “Perhaps the best virginica with wine” in Rowan Jacobsen’s “The Geography of Oysters”. While we are humbled to receive such praise and the ability to go to such events, we never lose sight of what makes our oysters unique and special.
Working year round to maintain a constant quality it’s not unusual for us to gear up in the dead of winter and work in near blizzard conditions, punching through several inches of saltwater ice to get into our gear. We take great care in growing our oysters as each of them being handled several times throughout their life to develop a deep cup and rich body. Our oysters are our passion, and we do our best to ensure that such hard work and dedication is portrayed in our sweet briny flavor. We look forward to future experiences in the world of Aquaculture, hoping that the Watch Hill name spreads and even more can enjoy the fruits of our labor.
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