Sweet waters, sweeter chocolate: River-Sea Chocolates makes a splash in Reston

by Ellyn Wexler, Staff Writer

River-Sea offers custom bar-making workshops. Photo by Isadora Guerreiro

Just when you thought Reston had all the charms it needed, along comes River-Sea Chocolates to raise the bar—literally. This homegrown bean-to-bar chocolatier has officially anchored one of its major operations in our midst, bringing its artisanal magic and sustainability mission right to our doorstep.

A Bit of Backstory

River-Sea Chocolates started as a labor of love. In 2017, founders Krissee and Mariano D’Aguiar visited family in northern Brazil and were struck by the idea that chocolate could bridge their worlds—connecting the lush cacao lands of the Amazon with life in the D.C. area.

Krissee, trained in chocolate arts, and Mariano, with a knack for fermentation and logistics, set out to build something both beautiful and responsible. That commitment shows in everything they do, from ingredient sourcing and packaging to the way they bring cacao across the seas.

The name “River-Sea” evokes the place where fresh water flows into salt, where two worlds mingle. That’s also how cacao farms near coasts behave, the founders note; it’s both a poetic metaphor and a scientific nod.

Why Reston?

Reston is more than just convenient geography. It’s personal. Krissee grew up here, and when the chance came to bring factory operations to her hometown—closer to the Metro and more accessible for visitors—the couple jumped at it.

In 2025, the new location at 11495 Sunset Hills Road, Suite 110, became the company’s major production hub. It’s about 3,000 square feet of factory, shop, and viewing windows where visitors can watch chocolate being made from bean to bar.

At this Reston facility, everything happens under one roof: cacao roasting, stone grinding, molding, and packaging. Their capacity is impressive—up to 20,000 bars per day—ensuring local shelves stay well-stocked with single-origin darks, creative flavor blends, and allergy-friendly varieties.

What Makes Their Chocolate Sing

River-Sea offers more than your typical store shelves full of sweets. Think truffles, sea salt brittles paired with dark chocolate, seasonal fruit infusions, and imaginative new pairings that celebrate local ingredients. The company’s dedication to organic sourcing and transparency sets it apart.

One especially striking initiative is its use of sail-powered cargo ships to import cacao. By moving beans across the Atlantic via wind power, River-Sea drastically reduces its carbon footprint, reviving an old-world transport method for a new-age cause.

Their environmental work doesn’t end there. The company supports cleanup projects in the Amazon Delta, including stand-up paddleboard litter collection programs and education for children in cacao-growing regions. For River-Sea, sustainability isn’t a marketing term; it’s the heart of their business.

Experiencing the Magic

When you walk into the Reston shop, you’ll spot large viewing windows into the production space, with friendly staff ready to explain every step of the process. The shop also offers custom chocolate gift boxes, making it an excellent choice for special occasions or an indulgent treat.

The company’s original Chantilly location still operates, offering Craft Chocolate Tasting Flights and custom bar-making workshops. A tasting room may be added at the Reston factory in the future, giving locals another reason to stop by and savor.

River-Sea’s reach extends beyond its own shops. Chocolate made in Reston supplies partners like the Organic Butcher of McLean, Weird Brothers Coffee Shops, the U.S. Botanical Garden in D.C., and even airport lounges nationwide.

A Local Business with Global Heart

River-Sea Chocolates is more than a business; it’s a bridge between communities and continents. Every bar tells a story of farmers, families, and fair winds that carry cacao across oceans to Reston’s heart.

Whether you’re a dedicated chocoholic or just someone looking for a thoughtful gift or sweet pick-me-up, River-Sea Chocolates delivers. Each visit offers more than flavor: it’s an experience rooted in craftsmanship, sustainability, and connection.

In a community that values creativity and conscience, River-Sea Chocolates feels right at home.

When we feature businesses in The Reston Letter, we are not endorsing them as a company or speaking to their credibility. We are telling their stories according to them. We want to give exposure to a lot of businesses, but that does not necessarily mean that we have firsthand experience with them as clients. Hopefully you will always have great experiences with them, but our job stops once we've told their story. We cannot vouch for them beyond that.