Not too fishy

The Dish

the focus is on a more traditional outdoor market experience that doesn’t require advance ordering (although online ordering for pick up is available). In addition, there are fresh prepared food options available from food trucks and some of the vendors.

The IX Park market was founded in 2018, previously existing as a way of bridging the winter months when the City Market was closed. But due to its popularity during the pandemic, the market continued past March last year, and ran through the rest of 2020. In January 2021, the market resumed for its fourth season, and quickly announced that it will again continue through the year.

IX market takes many safety precautions: posted signs, hand sanitizer stations, widespread mask-wearing, strict social distancing, and touch-free transactions. Perhaps more importantly, it revealed fresh produce and meats, a bevy of favorite food trucks, and many neighbors supporting local farms and businesses. Not only do these markets keep dollars in the local economy and promote community, but, through the inspired work of the city and nonprofits, they also help bring food to many who truly need it. As Gorham is proud to point out, during the pandemic “it has been important for vendors and customers to have options to connect for local food. Local producers have filled in food shortages with fresh, high-quality products.”

of the farm’s business was at farmer’ markets, but one result of this past year was an increase in its CSA, from 30 members in 2019 to 250 members in 2020. The farm has just opened up an additional 200 members shares for 2021.

@whisper_hill_farm

Still truckin’

Opened in the midst of the pandemic, Basan food truck is a staple presence at IX market, which is the only market that currently features food trucks. The menu offers an interesting mix of ramen, Korean fried chicken, and some amazing and ever-changing specials, based on Asian street food. Co-owner Anna Gardner explains, “Market Central has been absolutely wonderful trying to work with vendors and adapt safety protocols to all of the changes.” Co-owner Kelsey Naylor adds, “the farmers’ market scene has been incredibly helpful for us. It allows us to serve people in a setting where they can really spread out, or take food home, which helps minimize risk for all involved.” @eatbasan

EZE AMOS

Fish run

Cold Country Salmon brings better than sushi-grade salmon to farmers’ markets

By Shea Gibbs

Want anything from Alaska? Local fisherman Zac Culbertson is going anyway.

Culbertson runs a small family farm just outside Charlottesville. And he also runs Cold Country Salmon, a direct-delivery and farmers’ market-based retail seafood operation. For his wares—mostly salmon, but also halibut and sablefish—Culbertson heads to Alaska once a year and fishes the waters of Elfin Cove like a barracuda after a sparkly bracelet.

Salmon season lasts only a short time, so Culbertson typically travels to southeast Alaska in June. He makes his annual catch in less than two calendar months, torridly fishing for days on end over that single, frenzied period.

Take king salmon. Culbertson landed about 11,000 pounds of the stuff last year in only a handful of days. Indeed, the king salmon catch sometimes runs only a single day. As for coho salmon, which Culbertson calls his “bread and butter,” 9,000 pounds of catch weight found its way into Cold Country Salmon’s live wells last year. And a good amount of that then went to C’ville customers.

“The Charlottesville market is one of my top markets,” Culbertson says. “I think with the pandemic...there was a lot more interest in nailing down a food pipeline. People felt like the supermarkets were running out of everything, and they wanted a local source for things.”

Even if that local source has to make a 3,600mile run to grab the goods.

WINE-DOWNTHE

WHO’S JAMMING AT LOCAL WINERIES?

WRITTEN BY STEPHANIE VOGTMAN As the weather warms, and COVID restrictions lift, people are hoping to enjoy themselves with a sense of normalcy. Live music and concerts have finally started to return, and we here at C-ville Weekly wanted to share some of the vineyards who are supplying that! Check out what the wineries had to say about their upcoming music series, plus what wines we suggest you pair with them:

53RD WINERY AND VINEYARD

Owner Dave Drillock 53rd winery first started hosting live music on weekends beginning in 2016. Being out in Louisa it was a way to bring guests and our rural community together. Wine is meant to be enjoyed socially with friends and family, and live music just enhances that. Going forward, we are restarting live music every Saturday, but have also started our Sunset in the Vines concert series once a month! Expect to see food trucks there, but you’re always welcome to bring your own picnic. Make sure to check on our social media for the most up to date information on what musicians and food options we have. One of our winery favorites to play live here would be local musician Luke Bobbitt. He has a wide variety of music and is quite popular. We hope to see you soon!

Our Wine Pick: 2019 Albariño

Light with refreshing acidity, their Albariño is all estate grown. Hints of lime and light salinity are balanced out by white floral notes. This wine is perfect for the warm weather and enjoying with acoustic music!

DUCARD VINEYARDS

Owner Scott Elliff Over 10 years ago when DuCard opened, we began hosting live music events. Live music matched our “vibe” as a family at the winery, and over the years we have had a handful of world premieres. We are still hoping that one of our featured artists makes it big and can come back for a fun reunion or “mega concert”. Every Saturday afternoon, and sometimes evenings, we have live music in our outdoor space. New this year we also have music on Friday evenings, and we usually have a rotating group of food trucks on site for these events. We recommend reservations, especially on Saturday nights. Make sure to check our events on our website for any details. We are especially looking forward to Bomar and Ritter joining us for Father’s Day on Sunday, June 20th, as well as Smokin’ Trout this summer who will be playing on Saturday, July 3rd.

Our Wine Pick: 2019 Signature Viognier

This wine is aromatic and mellow, with hints of honey and wildflower. After partial fermentation and aged in barrels, the melon and fruit character feel round and soft on the palate. Wonderful for listening to bluegrass music!

HARK WINERY

Owner Aaron Hark Memorial Weekend of 2020, we began to host live music after reopening exclusively outdoors per COVID regulations. In the warm months since then, we have hosted live music and food trucks every Saturday. With 80 acres of space, we encourage our guests to bring lawn chairs, blankets, pop-up tents to find the perfect spot for their friends and family to relax. We bring in a wide variety of food trucks, including some that do not typically work in the Charlottesville area to keep it fresh and interesting each week for our guests. One of our favorites is Paella Perfecta our of Harrisonburg, which will be back throughout the season. They cook up three types of paella in massive pans right next to our lawn, and the only thing better than the smell is the taste! We are looking forward to hosting The Currys on June 19th, and the Big Boy Brass Band on July 31st. The Currys are very well known and have played all over the East Coast. The Big Boy Brass Band is an 8-piece New Orleans-style brass band originating from Pennsylvania, and we are looking forward to the awesome mid-summer party with them!

Our wine pick: 2020 Virginia Verde

Stylized after Portuguese Vinho Verde wine, the Virginia Verde is bright with slight effervesce. Bright notes of honeydew melon and lime zest are perfect for pairing with oysters, paella, and that New Orleans brass band music.

KNIGHTS GAMBIT VINEYARD

General Manager Jordan Summers We first started hosting live music a few years ago as a natural adjunct to our business. What is better than dancing to local tunes, VA wine in hand, while gazing out over a sweeping view of the Blue Ridge mountains? It is a joy to have created a space for the community to enjoy the amazing local music Charlottesville has to offer. We have live music every Saturday from 5-8 pm, and some of those night we have food trucks as well. Look out on our website for upcoming Thursday night events as well! There is such a wide variety of musical talent in the area, and each band brings its own vibe and energy. We are lucky to have them out to play for us!

Our wine pick: 2019 Pinot Grigio

Pale gold in color with a refreshing flavor of Meyer lemon, this Pinot Grigio has hints of honey with slight acidity. Warm weather, rocking chairs, and string music pair beautifully with this wine.

Charlottesville’s favorite Filipino Food Truck is coming to the Dairy Market! We can’t wait to bring our delicious and authentic food to our customers 7 days a week.

dairymarketcville.com/stalls/manila-street

Kain Na! Kain Na!

In-office

103-A Free Bridge Lane Mon, Tue, Thur10-6 & Fri 10-1

with Dr. Meghan Dickerson, DC

freebridgechiro.com 434-977-0777

Scottsville Farmers Market Open Every Saturday April through November, 9:00AM - 1:00PM

Breakfast and Lunch Meals and Fresh Local Produce - Locally Raised Hormone and Drug Free Beef, Chicken, Eggs, Pork - Baked Goods and @ Free Bridge Chiropractic Coffee/Tea - Jewelry, Hand knitted Crafts, Wood Crafts, Soaps/Lotions, Yarn/Fiber Products and Other Unique Items House call

Mobile Massage

Located in the Market Square Pavilion, 125 Fleet St. just north of the On-site Corporate Massage Fri 2-6 & Sat 10-6 James River Bridge Have Table, Will Travel. Therapeutic massage in the comfort of your home, office or suite.

Specializing in Sports & Injury Massage

Acupressure • 10 pts FREE w/massage ($20 value) Swedish Massage • from $70/hr

Deep Tissue Massage • from $90/hr Myofascial Release • from $100/hr

Golfer's/Athlete's Massage • $140/1.25 hrs On-site chair massage:corporate, event & party @ Free Bridge Chiropractic Lymphatic drainage & more. . .

House callIn-officeMassagebyJacob.com Mobile Massage On-site Corporate Massage Fri 2-6 & Sat 10-6 Have Table, Will Travel. Therapeutic massage in the comfort of your 103-A Free Bridge Lane Mon, Tue, Thur10-6 & Fri 10-1 with Dr. Meghan Dickerson, DC freebridgechiro.com Jacob E Gansneder VIII LMT • MLD/CDT • Acupressure Master 103 A Free Bridge Lane • Charlottesville VA 22911 434-981-4968 • 434-977-0777 jacob@massagebyjacob.com 434-977-0777 home, office or suite.

@ Free Bridge Chiropractic

In-office

103-A Free Bridge Lane Mon, Tue, Thur10-6 & Fri 10-1

with Dr. Meghan Dickerson, DC

freebridgechiro.com 434-977-0777

House call

Mobile Massage On-site Corporate Massage Fri 2-6 & Sat 10-6 Have Table, Will Travel.

Therapeutic massage in the comfort of your home, office or suite.

Specializing in Sports & Injury Massage

Acupressure • 10 pts FREE w/massage ($20 value) Swedish Massage • from $70/hr Deep Tissue Massage • from $90/hr Myofascial Release • from $100/hr Golfer's/Athlete's Massage • $140/1.25 hrs On-site chair massage:corporate, event & party Lymphatic drainage & more. . .