RECAP: Winter Waters Reedsport Day
Saturday, February 21st, 2026 — Reedsport, Oregon
We’re so thrilled to have hosted our first-ever Winter Waters day in Reedsport, Oregon! This small but vibrant coastal town has a dedicated local scene, deeply invested in art, community, and local small businesses. The day brought together creatives, chefs, distillers, and coastal enthusiasts for a multi-sensory celebration of Oregon’s waters and the people who work with them.
Art, Seafood, and Wine
The afternoon kicked off with Talk Water To Me, an engaging talk-and-tastings event, starting with a full house seafood and wine pairing at MindPower Gallery. Bites included a pink shrimp ceviche, cucumber and seaweed salad, Dungeness crab bruschetta, and a smoked salmon spread, all paired with Oregon made wines.
Guests then wandered to the gallery, where we got to to dive into the artists’ practices, exploring the connections between ocean conservation, storytelling, and their creative processes.
We watched a special on Claire Duncan, an artist whose “Anthropocene” paintings surrounded us. These paintings represented the beautiful wildlife that surrounds us, and the challenges they face due to human endeavors. Claire joined via live stream, sharing her conservation-driven practice and the inspiration behind her environmental artwork. Attendees got to ask questions, and it was clear that everyone was blown away by the impact of these pieces.
We then heard from Dan “Heffy” Heffron, who captivated the room in person, displaying his realistic oceanic and wildlife wood carvings. It was clear through his statues that he’s been carving a long time, but hearing directly about his almost 60 year journey of carving, from childhood until now, was something else. Each sculpture reflected not only technical mastery but also an intimate understanding of the creatures and ecosystems it represented.
Seaweed Brandy, Anyone?
Next, the day turned to more tasting. We wandered across the street to Hoaloha Tiki Bar to sample offerings from Stillwagon Distillery, including a standout dulse seaweed-infused unaged brandy. We happened to get there as the owner was present and surprisingly not super busy, and he offered to show us the behind-the-scenes tour of the distillery! This felt like stepping into a flavor emporium, where experimental spirits and coastal ingredients combined in unexpected ways. We were pretty amazed with the creativity, complexity, and thoughtfulness that went into every bottle, and the way it really felt like a coastal Dexters Laboratory.
Another walk across the street brought us to another bold local brew, this time at Two Shy Brewing who presented an Irish-style stout brewed with fresh Umpqua Triangle oysters. Rich and roasty, the beer carried subtle notes of salted caramel and smooth coffee, celebrating both the rugged Oregon coast and the Winter Waters mission of connecting people with local fisheries and sustainable seafood practices. It was the perfect last stop before heading to our special dinner at Kismets Landing.
Local Seafood at Kismet’s Landing
The day culminated in an extraordinary culinary experience at Kismet’s Landing, where the team had prepared a seven-course Winter Waters dinner. If you have not yet discovered the deliciousness of this restaurant, Kismet’s Landing, tucked along the scenic waterfront of Reedsport, is a true gem of the Oregon Coast dining scene. Owned and passionately operated by Mia Langley, the restaurant reflects her commitment to fresh, locally sourced seafood and sustainable coastal ingredients. Mia’s vision blends culinary creativity with a deep respect for the fishermen, shellfish harvesters, and coastal communities who supply the menu. From the moment you step inside, Kismet’s Landing offers a warm, inviting atmosphere where guests can enjoy thoughtfully crafted dishes that highlight the rich diversity of Oregon’s waters, all served with Mia’s signature attention to detail and dedication to quality.
Every dish of this special evening menu highlighted locally caught seafood from Winchester Bay fishermen, thoughtfully paired with stories and context from Winter Waters co-founders about the fisheries, seaweed aquaculture operations and coastal ecosystems behind each plate. Winter Waters also shared insights into the Oregon Kelp Alliance, the nonprofit beneficiary of the evening. Guests learned how the organization supports healthy kelp forests and resilient coastal communities, connecting the flavors on their plates with real-world ecological impact.
The menu featured:
Albacore Crispy Rice with nori crisps
Wakame Salad featuring local dulse, Dungeness crab, and pickled onions
Oregon Pink Shrimp Ceviche with orange segments, avocado, nori crisps, and barbacoa chips
Fishermen’s Stew with black cod, pink shrimp, Dungeness crab, dulse, in a rich tomato and fennel broth
Seared Blackcod over a delicate seaweed risotto
Seared Albacore Tuna with ginger and carrot purée
Dulse Infused Brownie with vanilla ice cream and salted caramel
Having fisherman in the crowd for this dinner was such a special reflection of the way that fisherman show up for their own communities, and specifically how much they support what Kismet'‘s Landing is all about.
Thank you to the City of Reedsport, Coastal Douglas Arts and Business Alliance,Reedsport & Winchester Bay Chamber of Commerce, and Travel Southern Oregon Coast for sponsoring this day of events in Reedsport.
