Page 16 - Wilkes County NCG 2024

Mead-making in Wilkes County

is Abuzz with Adventure

By Lydia Cobb

E very honeybee buzzing from Stardust Cellars specializes in making fermented by the raw honey’s indigenous
flower to flower helps the
yeasts and probiotics. No yeast is added.
mead and white wines. They use well water
Hogrefe and his team visit many
and grow without pesticides. Last spring, two
world thrive. These humming
pollinators stimulate the growth lambs were born on the farm who help to beekeepers to obtain the honey they need,
of our fruits, vegetables, and herbs. Wilkes graze on weeds without the use of machinery acknowledging that they need much more
County is dripping with honey cultivated by – all pointing to why Stardust is in the quantity and complexity of terroir beyond
area beekeepers. biodynamic sustainability echelon. the hives he has on the farm.
Beekeeping is fundamental to the Is mead wine or beer? Neither. Beer is When you sip terroir-driven meads, you
making of mead, an ancient, golden-hued made by fermenting sugars from malted experience the flavors of the North Carolina
alcoholic beverage created through the grains, while wine is made by fermenting foothills and all the crops in every season.
fermentation of honey with water, often with sugars from fruits. Mead is made by These honeys are made possible by
the addition of fruits, spices, herbs, and fermenting the sugars in honey and since independent beekeepers and established
other natural flavorings. honey is not a grain or fruit, mead is in its industries across the county and state.
“Wilkes County has tons of honey and own category! “Each sip of mead is a symphony
beekeepers in every direction. We source all Mead types and flavors are as diverse as of flavors, a tribute to the land,
our honey from the foothills of North Carolina,” the flavor profiles created by craft brewers and a testament to the
said Nico Hogrefe, owner of Stardust Cellars, and wine makers. “We have to use local, dedication of our
the state’s first biodynamic winery and raw honey because we are a fermentation beekeepers,”
meadery that opened in 2018. meadery,” said Hogrefe. The local honey is said Hogrefe.

“Bee” Curious and Visit:
North Carolina Mead Trail
ncmeadalliance.com/nc-mead-trail
Area meadery locations are mapped for you – with many taprooms offering
handcrafted beers, wines, and ciders.

Stardust Cellars Taproom
4780 Statesville Rd., North Wilkesboro, NC 28659
(336) 818-7298 | stardustcellars.com
• International Mazer Cup Commercial Competition 2023, Stardust placed:
- 3rd Place: Lavender Ancestral Mead
- 4th Place: Apple Pie Mead
• NC GreenTravel “Triple Dogwood” highest nod for sustainable spirits
Save the Date: 5th Annual Meadieval Fest June 22-23, 2024 – where mead makers
and craft spirit enthusiasts gather in celebration of harvest and community.
Info: stardustcellars.com

Hidden Happiness Bee Farm
Bee classes, beekeeping supplies, candy store, and gift shop
Chestnut Mountain Rd., Deep Gap, NC 28618
(336) 973-5412 | hiddenhappinessbeefarm.com

Townes Farm
Beekeeping supplies and honey
5450 High Rock Rd., Boomer, NC 28606 | (336) 921-3746

12 Honey Industry Feature Wilkes Chamber of Commerce