Bluewater CoCina: Casual Cuisine in an Enchanting Setting

Imagine a feast of fresh ingredients picked only a few feet from your seat surrounded by plants, herbs, and flowers, right in the historic district of downtown Middleburg. Bluewater Cocina, slated to open mid-August, will offer just that in the form of tacos, seasonal margaritas, wine, and beer served in the gardens of Nature Composed, a lovely little garden shop and floral design studio at 12 South Pendleton Street.

Bluewater Cocina is owned by Christina Kozich and her husband, Michael Kozich, of Bluewater Kitchen, a boutique, full-service catering and event company which opened in 2013. In November 2019, an opportunity popped up for the couple to open The Market at Bluewater Kitchen, a charming market in Upperville with creative grab-and-go meals, catering, tailgate party menus made completely from scratch, specialty baked goods, and locally curated finds of Bluewater | Page 7 jams, sauces, drinks, and gifts. “The Market is our home base,” says Christina Kozich. “It’s where it all happens and it’s the heart of the operation.” When opportunity came knocking again, the husband and wife team answered by expanding their culinary empire into Nature Composed’s backyard with the help of the shop’s owner, Jenn Pineau.

Coming soon! Bluewater Cocina is slated to open mid-August.

Kozich explains, “Jenn and I have become good friends and I’ve seen her take that building [Nature Composed] from bare bones and turn it into her vibe in such an experiential space. We’re very excited about being there!”

Kozich and Pineau’s working relationship stems from the early days of Bluewater’s catering business when Kozich and her team rented the upper level of Nature Composed to host tastings and rental appointments, before opening The Market at Bluewater Kitchen.

Though the Koziches moved to Upperville, the relationship with Pineau remained. Pineau still designs the window boxes in front of The Market at Bluewater Kitchen using flowers from her Madison County farm.

In 2021, Kozich and crew started selling their signature tacos at the Hunt Country Farmer’s Market at Buchanan Hall on Wednesday evenings. “Everyone loved our tacos,” Kozich remembers. “We got a lot of positive feedback, and since we run tacos as a special at The Market, we thought tacos could be our focus for Bluewater Cocina.” She continues, “I thought there was a need for more casual, affordable options while still giving people great food and great hospitality. Because when you work in Middleburg — you eat in Middleburg. As the area grows, we wanted to offer more approachable options for a broader audience.”

Pineau adds, “I was putting the word out about leasing the backyard of my shop, and Christina was the first to say ‘yes.’” She continues, “Christina’s going to do it the right way; they know how to do business. We have a nice, collaborative relationship.” Not only providing location, Pineau will contribute to the new spot’s ingredient list, too. “And we’re growing lots of plants in the backyard of the shop for their tacos and tequila drinks, including herbs, peppers, tomatillos, tomatoes, and microgreens. In the middle of a historic district, you can only plant so much in a small place; but I like to think we’re also growing relationships and gatherings,” she finishes. The garden setting will include patio dining,

Bluewater | From page 7

under the covered pergola with hanging vines and café string lighting, or at tables in the garden. “People love being in the backyard,” Pineau notes. “A space where people come together with food and plants. There’s so much life there.”

Menu items include an impressive list of taco varieties, salad serts created by their pastry chef will be seasonally influenced, too. bowls, chips, and salsas, plus a rotating menu of fresh-catch fish tacos. Bluewater works with sustainable fisheries that overnight fresh-caught product. The culinary team will be preparing their own ceviche, salsa, and guacamole with ingredients that change with the seasons. Des-

The drinks are thoughtfully crafted as well. Margaritas are made with tequila and fresh-squeezed juices, not premade mixes. Summer margarita examples are blueberry and basil. Other cocktails will include mezcal, a smoky-type spirit much like tequila.

Those who don’t have the time to enjoy the charming patio can take the party on the road with taco boxes, chip platters, and margarita pitchers. To-go options are perfect for tailgates or family gatherings.

Kozich shares, “I want customers to walk away happy. Gathering around a table with good food and friends is where memories are made. I want people to think, ‘Ok… when are we coming back?’”

For more information on the new eatery, visit bluewatercocina. com or call (540) 326-1719. For info on catering and The Market at Bluewater Kitchen, visit themarketatbluewaterkitchen.com ML

Washington St. | P.O. Box 1380 | Middleburg, VA 20118 | 540.687.5588 | sheridanmacmahon.com from throughout | | 6 kitchen | cottage lighted stream, acres

110 E. Washington St. | P.O. Box 1380 | Middleburg, VA 20118 | 540.687.5588 | sheridanmacmahon.com

Hickory Tree Farm

THE PLAINS, VIRGINIA

304 acres | Main house, stunning guest house w/ garage, 2 tenant houses, manager’s house, apartment complex, pool, 5 barns, approx 60 stalls, 3/4 mile all weather sand track, pond & extensive paddocks, fencing & sheds | Panoramic views of Bull Run Mountains & the Blue Ridge Mountains | Original home site still surrounded by towering trees, garden & stone walls

Spring Glade

$7,950,000

Helen MacMahon 540.454.1930

MIddLEBuRG, VIRGINIA

Midwood

THE PLAINS, VIRGINIA

64 acres on a lake in two parcels and extensive Little River frontage between Middleburg and The Plains Elegant French Country stone home with a slate roof Very well-appointed home with large rooms for entertaining and an elevator 5 bedrooms, including two large suites with balconies Full compound includes a large pool with spa and spacious pool house, pavilion, tennis court, gazebo, barn with two apartments, equipment building/garage and 2 generators | All major systems updated Open fields and rolling pasture with extensive wooded trails in prime Orange County Hunt territory

French Country home, with renovations in 1999 & 2017 | 4 BR, 5 full & 2 half BA, 5 FP, hardwood floors, flagstone terrace | Beautiful drive to hilltop stetting overlooking pond, lake & mountains | Im provements include pool, 2-car garage, 2 BR guest house & apartment | Lovely boxwood gardens | Kitchen allowance to be provided | 79.89 acres

Paul MacMahon 703.609.1905

Atoka Store

Fulton Run

MIDDLEBURG, VIRGINIA

Salem Hill

MARSHALL, VIRGINIA

Middleburg Hunt location House built in 2020, Amish built, quality construction, frame exterior and metal roof 3 BR, 3 1/2 BA, 11 ft ceilings, moldings, tons of light Antique french doors from the Heinz family estate | 50 acres are gently rolling & useable | 40 acres are fenced 4 large paddocks & 3 small holding fields | 24x48 barn/farm structure w/ tack room, 24 x 14 run in shed, 12 x36 2-bay run in shed w/ feed room, 12 x14 tack room Mountain views, koi pond $2,982,250

Paul MacMahon 703.609.1905

$4,900,000

Helen MacMahon 540.454.1930

Well protected Fauquier location | 6 bedrooms | 4 full and 2 half baths | 3 fireplaces | Great views | Pool with large flagstone terrace | Large county kitchen | 4-car detached garage with apartment/ office | 9-stall barn | Covered arena | Outdoor ring | 4 stall shed row barn | 51 fenced acres

Brian MacMahon 703.609.1868

$3,690,000

Mahon

Glendonnell

Catesby Vineyard

203 acres in River frontage 4 full & 3 1/2 Gunnite pool and private | 5 stall Jim paddocks, pasture | Old d helen MacMahon 540.454.1930

MARSHALL, VIRGINIA

Property has been a landmark for community for decades Major frontage on Route 50 & Atoka Rd Commercial kitchen, beer cooler, grocery items, pizza oven, in store seating | Potential to be very lucrative Property also improved by older home, old gas station has been renovated for potential office space or storage & stone spring house | 2 lots w/ commercial village zoning.

$2,700,000

Paul MacMahon 703.609.1905

Brian MacMahon 703.609.1868

WARRENTON, VIRGINIA

Built in 1918 Features light-filled rooms, a center hallway with arched doorways leading to the living room, dining room, and 2nd floor Kitchen gives the gourmet cook all the amenities for efficient food prep | dining and living rooms are perfect | 5 wood-burning fireplaces A separate office and gym on the first floor Four bedrooms, 2 full baths on the 2nd floor, 2 half on the first | The home has a rear stone patio for outdoor generating—a detached garage with room for additional storage | Oil radiator heat, town sewer and water | 1.14 Acres

$1,700,000

Lynn Wiley 540.454.1527

Game Creek

104 & 106 PENDLETON STREET

MIDDLEBURG, VIRGINIA

MIddLEBuRG, VIRGINIA

Rectortown Road

MARSHALL, VIRGINIA

UPPERVILLE, VIRGINIA

44.55 acres of which 15 acres are producing grapes | 8.5 acres of Chambourcin, Traminette on 4.3 acres and Vidal Blanc on 2.1 acres. Vineyard infrastructure includes fencing, irrigation system and computerized well | Perc site for 4 bedroom home. Property is in conservation easement | Property can be converted to Residential use.

$1,300,000

Paul MacMahon 703.609.1905

Brian MacMahon 703.609.1868

Halcyon Hill

Forest Hill Road

RECTORTOWN, VIRGINIA

BLUEMONT, VIRGINIA

Rare opportunity 2 recorded lots with C-3 zoning in the town of Middleburg 2 separate buildings with 8 offices, 5 storage bays and ample parking

All buildings are in excellent condition

$1,250,000

Paul MacMahon 703.609.1905

Brian MacMahon 703.609.1868

A remarkable property located within a private enclave just minutes from town | Stone and stucco manor house with main level master suite | 7 additional BR | 5 stone FP | Beautiful gardens, terraces, salt water pool, cabana, carriage house & stable with 2 paddocks | Lovely finishes throughout & sweeping lawn to private trails to Goose Creek | 31 acres | Private, elegant & convenient

Lovely country home on private lot in the village of Rectortown FIBER INTERNET Open floor plan with main level suite and home office Upper level overlooks large family room with two story vaulted ceiling and stone fireplace and two large bedrooms and second family room Multiple porches and decks with extensive plantings - easy maintenance.

$1,100,000

Helen MacMahon 540.454.1930

$2,650,000 helen MacMahon 540.454.1930

17 acres of rolling pasture land in the village of Rectortown | Convenient to both Routes 50 & 66 | Newly renovated | Private setting with magnificent mountain views | 4 bedrooms, 4 full bath, 1 half bath, 2 fireplaces | Heated pool & spa | 2 bedroom guest house | Large shed & 2-car garage

East side of Blue Ridge, all wooded, old logging trail, could clear views of Loudoun Valley and Bull Run Mountains 10.94 acres, easy access to Routes 7 and 50 Tough to match the seclusion.

$250,000

Paul MacMahon 703.609.1905

Brian MacMahon 703.609.1868

$2,475,000

Paul MacMahon 703.609.1905 dELAPLANE, Circa 1850’s rebuilt at beams and Barn also 2 bedroom multiple building outside Paul