Astoria: Craft Chocolate Tasting Tour with Factory Visit

Summary

Taste five local chocolates at river-sea then see how it’s made

You’ll start your craft chocolate journey in Astoria with a guided tasting flight of five unique bars at River-Sea. Learn from passionate locals as you explore flavors from Ecuador to Madagascar, then step behind the scenes to see how small-batch chocolate is made. Expect laughter, earthy aromas, and maybe a new favorite bar.

What’s the experience like?

We walked into River-Sea and the smell hit me right away — not sweet like candy bars, but something deeper, almost earthy. Our guide, Sam (he called himself a “Chocolate Jedi Knight,” which made me laugh), handed us these little squares lined up on a wooden tray. I tried to look cool but honestly, I was kind of nervous about tasting chocolate like wine. The first piece was from Ecuador — sharp, almost fruity — and Sam explained how the beans came all the way from there to this little factory in Astoria. I never thought chocolate could taste like that, you know?

After we’d tasted all five (the Madagascar one had this citrus thing going on; I still think about it), we followed Sam into the back where all the machines were humming. There was this old-looking winnower that rattled every time someone walked by. He showed us how they roast and grind the beans — I touched some of the nibs and they felt gritty, not at all like finished chocolate. Someone asked if they ever get tired of eating chocolate and Sam just grinned, shook his head. Guess not.

I liked that it wasn’t rushed — we could ask anything, even silly stuff like why their wrappers are always so colorful (turns out it’s local artists). The whole thing felt pretty relaxed; nobody cared if you didn’t know what “single origin” meant or if you mixed up your samples. By the end, I felt weirdly proud of my new chocolate vocabulary. It’s funny how something as simple as a day trip for craft chocolate tasting in Astoria can stick with you longer than you expect.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Craft chocolate tasting and factory tour

• Taste five chocolate bars
• Learn tasting notes from guide
• See chocolate production machines
• Learn about chocolate making process

Top questions

Is the River-Sea craft chocolate tour wheelchair accessible?

Yes, all areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible.

How many chocolates do you taste during the tour?

You’ll taste five different chocolates made onsite at River-Sea.

Are children allowed on the craft chocolate tasting tour?

Children are allowed but it’s recommended for adults; use discretion for kids under 12.

Does the tour include seeing how chocolate is made?

Yes, after tasting you’ll visit the production area and see the machines used in making bean-to-bar chocolate.

Are service animals permitted on this tour?

Yes, service animals are allowed throughout the experience.

Is transportation provided for this Astoria craft chocolate experience?

No transportation is included; guests should arrive at River-Sea themselves.

How long does the craft chocolate tasting last?

The exact duration isn’t specified but includes both tasting and a factory tour.

What’s included

Your experience includes a guided tasting flight of five locally made chocolates at River-Sea in Astoria plus a behind-the-scenes factory tour where you’ll see production machines up close and learn about small-batch bean-to-bar methods from knowledgeable staff.