About Us
River-Sea Chocolates is an award winning bean-to-bar chocolate maker based in Northern Virginia, just outside Washington, DC. What began in a humble 100 square foot workspace in Sterling, Virginia has grown into a 3,000 square foot factory in Reston, where we craft approximately 500 pounds of chocolate each day while maintaining the care and attention of true small batch production.
Unlike most chocolate shops, we begin with raw cacao beans rather than finished chocolate. Every origin is roasted in small batches to highlight the unique flavors of the cacao, allowing each chocolate to express the character of the region where it was grown.
We believe exceptional chocolate begins with authentic relationships. That's why we work directly with farmers and cooperatives throughout the cacao growing world. Every cacao bean we purchase is direct trade, partnerships that reward quality, support sustainable farming practices, and ensure growers receive fair compensation for their work.
Our chocolate is crafted with simple, pure ingredients and is naturally gluten free and soy free, with the exception of a few seasonal truffles and limited edition creations.
Behind every bar is a team of chocolate lovers and Chocolate Jedi Masters who are passionate about crafting exceptional chocolate and sharing it with the world.
Whether you're enjoying one of our single origin bars, a creative flavor inspired by global cuisines, or a cup of our drinking chocolate, we hope each bite offers a connection to the people, places, and stories behind the cacao.
River-Sea's Origin Story
And Coco the Sloth
Krissee and Mariano D'Aguiar started making chocolate in 2017 while visiting family in Northern Brazil where they realized that the delicious food could be a connecting bridge between their life in DC and their community in Brazil. They saw the capability to provide income opportunities, in an eco-friendly way that doesn’t require cutting down the rainforest, but leaves plant canopy and wildlife to thrive.
From the moment they made their first batch of chocolate, they recognized this as their mission; a mission to wrap their heart around.
Krissee's mom was born a premie in Romania at a time when they gave chocolate to premature babies as a first food. Her grandfather traded his stamp collection to an illegal smuggler bringing Swiss chocolate across the border in order to feed her mom. So Krissee wouldn’t even exist if it weren’t for chocolate.
Why "River-Sea"?
Our chocolate journey started where the Amazon River meets the Atlantic Sea.
Love and reverence for the ascending and ebbing tide
Crashing into the downstream flow of the river.
The river so wide
It looks like the sea
Saltwater and freshwater meet chaotically
Bringing vibrance, nourishment, and harmony.
Most of the world's cacao grows in coastal jungle areas influenced by the daily flow of the tide. The rhythm of a producer's life synchronizes with the waves and moon, not the hands of a clock.