Worth the drive: Heidrun Meadery

Heiðrún is a mythological Norse goat that instead of milk, produces mead – an alcohol drink that is traditionally made by fermenting honey with water. It is made in a similar manner to winemaking, with wine yeasts often used in the process.

Mead is can range from being very sweet to very dry and is generally low in alcohol. It is a very ancient drink – with pottery in Asia with remnants of mead ingredients dating back to 6500-7000 BCE. It remains a popular drink in Europe and Africa and is gaining popularity in the US.

Heiðrun Meadery in Point Reyes is producing a mead that is unlike an other: a sparkling mead produced in the French Méthode Champenoise tradition.

It sets them apart from other meadmakers – that is all they produce, with the occasional still mead making an appearance on their roster. This method makes them one of the few – if not the only – meadery producing sparkling mead in a traditional French champagne style, in the country.

We were tipped off about Heiðrun Meadery by a wine industry colleague, who praised the low alcohol levels (bottles average 12.5%), dry nature of the wines, unique flavors, and the lack of sulfites. It’s even gluten free. A road trip was in order and it is surely worth the drive.

The meadery is located just north of Point Reyes Station on Highway 1. It’s rustic, charming and hip –  tastings occur in an old greenhouse decorated with pollinator friendly plants for sale and old champagne making equipment.

The mead is produced using honey from around the country and they are in the process of developing estate mead, with the help of resident bees. We tasted four meads during our visit- Hawaiian Lehua Blossom ($30), Hawaiian Macadamia Nut Blossom ($25), Oregon Radish Blossom ($25) and one still mead, Oregon Meadowfoam Blossom ($18).

The meads were all distinct. Similar to the way terroir makes a wine unique, the honey that is used to make mead provides a unique flavor.

The Hawaiian Macadamia Nut Blossom is rich, full-bodied, and has a hint of sweetness as found in the nut. Oregon Radish Blossom was my personal favorite – it tasted more like a French Champagne, think Dom Perignon – it was very dry, had a strong earthy nose, and a sparkly refreshing finish.

After our tasting and we each bought a glass to enjoy while exploring the gardens and scenic property. They sold an Orange Blossom sparkler by the glass, which tasted like the perfect mimosa – refreshing, light, and creamy with a sweetness that was just right (think: boozy creamsicle!).

Picnic tables abound with views of rolling hills – guests can bring their own food and use the picnic grounds with the purchase of a glass or bottle. The meadery is just south of Tomales Bay Oyster Company, where guests can buy fresh oysters that pair perfectly with the meads.

Guests can walk the gardens, where they grow fragrant pollinator-friendly plants that help the local bees thrive and are also sold to restaurants and consumers through a CSA program.

Time slowed down while we wandered the grounds and sipped our mead. Two hours passed and we made our way back to the tasting room to take home our favorite bubbly bottles.

The price points are just right, especially for such a unique, low production product. They also sell the honey used to make the mead.

Heiðrun has a magic about it – it harks back to the old days when wineries were rustic and unique finds were still reasonably priced. It’s a special place.

The mead makes for a great conversation starter and an even better sip, and the environment of the meadery is a place that will continue to draw us back to visit on a regular basis.

Heiðrun Meadery is family and pet friendly and ADA accessible. Tastings start at $15 and are waived with a purchase of three bottles or more bottles per person. Closed Tuesdsays. 415-663-9122 | 11925 State Route 1, Point Reyes Station | heidrunmeadery.com.

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