There are few places in the world that can match the magic of Kent in the height of summer. This year, the annual Wine Garden of England Summer Celebration is making an exciting move. After incredible previous years shucking alongside the vines at the beautiful Chilham Castle, the festival is making its grand debut at a brand-new home: the historic grounds of The Castle, Westenhanger.

When you combine this stunning new backdrop, nine of the country’s most prestigious wine producers, and an oyster bar fully stocked with freshly harvested rock oysters, you get the absolute pinnacle of English food and drink pairings.

As a team with deep roots in coastal cultivation, we always talk about the concept of merroir—the way an oyster absorbs the distinct salinity, minerality, and characteristics of the specific tidal waters it grows in.

Kentish wine runs on the exact same principle. The rolling chalk downs and unique microclimates of the Garden of England allow our local vineyards to craft world-class wines that are crisp, complex, and intensely structural.

When you pair a glass of world-class Kentish sparkling with a pristine rock oyster shucked seconds prior, something truly transcendent happens. The vibrant, clean acidity of the wine acts as a perfect lens, sharpening the briny sweetness of the oyster. It is quite literally the taste of Kent in a single mouthful.

The Nine Legends of Kentish Wine, armed with your tasting glass, you’ll be sampling your way through the absolute best producers the county has to offer. We’re looking forward to finding our perfect pairings with standard-bearers like Balfour Winery, Biddenden Vineyards, Chapel Down, Domaine Evremond, Gusbourne, Simpsons Wine Estate, Squerryes, Westwell, and Yotes Court. Come over to our mother of pearl oyster bar and tell us which bottle you’ve discovered, and we’ll match the perfect oyster to it.

As experts in oyster shucking, we don’t just open shells—we curate a complete tasting experience. We are bringing our signature premium mobile bar setup to the castle grounds, ensuring our display mirrors the world-class viticulture surrounding us. Pop over to find:

• A Curated Coastal Selection: We will be providing distinctly different types of premium rock oysters to highlight contrasting regional profiles. You can taste and compare the famously deep, meaty richness of Colchester oysters alongside the clean, crisp, and brilliantly briny notes of local Whitstable oysters.
• The Pristine Half-Shell: Displayed on deep beds of crushed ice, your chosen oysters are shucked live to order with speed, precision, and theatrical flair right in front of your eyes. Enjoy them entirely naked to taste the pure ocean, or with a splash of our sharp house-made mignonette, lemon or tabasco sauce.
• Talk All Things Coastal: Our expert team thrives on the story behind the shell. Whether you’re curious about how merroir shapes the flavor, looking for the perfect vineyard pairing recommendation, or simply want to learn how to appreciate your very first oyster, stop by the bar for a chat.

The historic stone walls are set, the tasting tents are ready, and the ice is piled high. Grab your sun hats, bring your tasting guides, and let’s toast to the very best of our incredible county.

See you by the castle walls!

— The Oyster Buoys Team

Loved the festival atmosphere? You don’t have to wait for the next big public event to enjoy the theatrical flair of freshly shucked oysters. We’d love to bring our signature shucking skills directly to you for any private function.

Whether you are hosting an intimate gathering or a grand celebration, we tailor our setup to bring the perfect touch of the coast to your day:

• Summer Outdoor Events: Picture a beautiful, sun-drenched afternoon in the garden with our stunning Rockefeller Oyster Bar set up as the ultimate centerpiece, serving the freshest catch while your guests mingle.
• Weddings: Planning your big day? Our interactive roaming shuckers are a fantastic way to elevate your drinks reception. We mingle right alongside your family and friends, shucking to order and adding a brilliant, theatrical touch to the celebrations.
• Corporate Events: Looking to make a lasting impression? We pride ourselves on the pure luxury of our oysters and the uncompromising, high-end quality of our service. It’s a memorable, premium experience that your clients and team will be talking about for years.

We’d love to chat about making your next event truly special and discuss which of our services is right for you.  Simply enquire here to share your ideas and check our availability.

You can also drop us a line directly at theoysterbuoys@gmail.com, or explore more of what we do over at www.oysterbuoys.com. We can’t wait to shuck for you! Follow our instagram @oyster.buoys