How long is the tasting?

Sessions run about 45–60 minutes and include five to six pours and a small cheese plate.

Yes. This tasting is restricted to guests 21 years and older; bring valid ID.

Wine tasting, a short wine education seminar led by the in-house educator, and a small cheese plate are included.

What is the cancellation policy?

Reservations are refundable up to 24 hours prior to the event.

Can I buy bottles to take home?

Yes—staff typically offer bottles and limited-release meads for sale at the tasting room.

Are walk-ins accepted?

Walk-in availability varies; booking in advance is recommended for themed nights and weekends.

Discover Wine Series at Silver Hand Meadery — Williamsburg Wine & Mead Tastings | Wine | Winery

Discover Wine Series at Silver Hand Meadery sits in Williamsburg, Virginia, a short drive from Colonial Historic Area and the James River. For visitors who love thoughtfully guided tastings, this monthly wine education series transforms the meadery’s tasting room into a classroom of flavor. The event runs about 45–60 minutes and pairs five to six curated pours with a small cheese plate while an educator narrates technique, terroir, and tasting notes. What makes this series special is the blend of local story and global perspective. The session celebrating Silver Hand’s tenth anniversary highlights founder Glenn’s anecdotes — including the meadery’s first Strawberry Swing — and traces a path from honey-based fermentations to wines from around the world. The room itself is practical and convivial: tasting bar, flight board, and shelves of bottles and honey jars that recall the region’s beekeeping traditions. Expect attentive pours and conversational learning rather than formal lectures. Key features of the experience include guided sensory training, comparative tasting of five to six wines, and a small cheese plate that anchors palate cleansers. The broader setting connects to Williamsburg’s colonial-era landscape and the neighboring patches of loblolly pine and mixed hardwoods—habitat for local pollinators whose honey inspires the meads. The combination of mead history and modern wine education makes the site a standout: a beverage program that honors Virginia’s honey traditions while engaging international varietals. Practical details: tastings are 21+ and reservations are refundable up to 24 hours before the event. Sessions are led by the in-house educator, Kenny Bumbaco, with occasional appearances and stories from founder Glenn. Themes change monthly—recent examples include rosé-focused flights for summer. Bring a curiosity for flavor and plan for an hour; larger groups and non-participants are restricted. Why this venue matters to the local outdoor-recreation community: Silver Hand preserves a link between landscape and libation, spotlighting honey as a local ingredient and supporting regional beekeepers. For travelers pairing active days—kayaking the James River or biking through the Williamsburg Greenway—with relaxed, instructive tastings, the Discover Wine Series offers a low-key evening that deepens appreciation for place-based drinks. Book in advance for themed nights, arrive sober enough to taste, and linger afterward to talk with staff about bottle purchases or mead production. Whether you’re a novice learning terms like \"finish\" and \"acidity\" or a regular looking for a fresh pour and a good story, this 45–60 minute tasting is an informative, convivial stop in Williamsburg’s growing beverage scene. Expect to purchase bottles to take home; ask about seasonal small-batch meads and limited-release wines. Parking near the tasting room is limited on weekend evenings, so consider a short walk or rideshare. Respect the 21+ rule and tip servers for guided pours and thank staff.

Difficulty

easy.

Duration

45–60 minutes.

Fitness level

Low physical demand; suitable for most adults comfortable standing for short periods.

Wildlife

honey bees
red-tailed hawk

History

Silver Hand celebrates a decade of production and connects modern mead-making with Williamsburg’s deep colonial-era beekeeping traditions.

Conservation

The meadery highlights local honey and supports regional beekeepers; guests are encouraged to buy small-batch bottles that sustain local producers.

Silver Hand Meadery crafts immersive mead tasting experiences that connect guests to the history, flavors, and production of mead. Located in a region known for floral diversity, Silver Hand Meadery focuses on showcasing how different honeys and added ingredients shape mead's character. The meadery offers a signature 45-minute Mead and Honey Tasting — Bees for Beginners that guides visitors through multiple styles, from light traditional varietals to fruit- and spice-infused specialties. Each tasting pairs clear explanations with guided sampling so guests taste contrasts between blossom-specific honeys and meads blended with fruit, spice, and even coffee. Presentations explain fermentation basics, honey sourcing, and tasting techniques that highlight aroma, sweetness, acidity, and finish. The experience is crafted for approachable education—ideal for first-time mead drinkers as well as enthusiasts curious about honey-driven flavor. Silver Hand Meadery sources diverse honeys and highlights transparency in ingredient selection, allowing guests to connect flavor to origin. Safety, clarity, and hospitality underpin every session: clear timing, allergen notes, and tasting portions designed for a memorable yet manageable visit. The meadery also supports local beekeepers and interprets how environmental factors influence honey and mead profiles. Visitors consistently report learning practical tasting skills and leaving with a greater appreciation for honey’s role in fermented beverages. Silver Hand Meadery positions itself as an accessible, trustworthy destination for anyone interested in culinary history, small-batch beverages, and the sensory experience of mead tasting. Retail samples and curated bottle selections are available for purchase to continue the tasting experience at home.

Base locationWilliamsburg, Virginia

Tours offered2+

Specialtyothers

StewardshipLeave No Trace

My Trip

My Trip

Discover Wine Series at Silver Hand Meadery — Williamsburg Wine & Mead Tastings

A full day in Williamsburg.

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