FAQ
About Heidrun Meadery & Our Mead
Q: How do you pronounce Heidrun?
A: It’s pronounced “Hi-drun”.
Q: Who or what is Heidrun?
A: Heidrun was the name of Odin’s mead-making goat.
Q: What is mead?
A: Mead is an alcoholic beverage created by fermenting honey with water. We specialize in naturally sparkling varietal meads, made using the traditional French Méthode Champenoise.
Q: What makes our mead unique?
A: We are the only commercial meadery in the country (we are aware of) using true Méthode Champenoise. We produce single varietal meads meaning we focus on the unique aromas and flavors of the honey we are using to produce our wine. In doing so, we are showcasing the inherent flavors and botanical essences of the honey itself. Our meads are light, dry, delicate, and refreshing, with subtle exotic aromas. We produce them using a unique "Flower to Flute" approach, where we cultivate various flowering plants on our farm to provide year-long forage for our honey bee colonies, ensuring distinct honey varietals for our meads.
Q: Is your mead gluten-free?
A: Yes
Q: How long can I store my bottles?
A: We do not add any sulfites or other preservatives to our wines and so they have an ideal shelf life of a year or so. Beyond that point the more subtle flavors and aromas will start to diminish. So, we say “Drink’em early. Drink’em often.”
Visiting Our Meadery
Q: Where is Heidrun Meadery located?
A: We are located at 11925 State Route 1 in Point Reyes Station, California, just half a mile north of the town.
Q: What are the hours of operation for our tasting room?
A: Our tasting room is open 7 days a week, Monday - Sunday, from 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
Q: Do we need a reservation to visit for a tasting?
A: While tables are available on a first-come, first-serve basis, reservations are highly recommended, especially for groups larger than 6 people. Reservations for tastings are typically limited to 1.5 hours. You can contact us at info@heidrunmeadery.com for larger group accommodations.
Q: How much is a tasting flight?
A: Our Tasting Flights cost $25. This fee is waived with each 3-bottle purchase of mead.
Q: Can we bring outside food for a picnic?
A: Yes, guests are welcome to bring outside food to enjoy during their tasting on our grounds. We also offer beautiful cheese boxes and curated non-perishable picnic items for purchase. Please ensure you clean up your table completely afterward.
Q: Do we offer tours of the facility?
A: Yes, we offer expertly guided tours of our production facility and farm. Tours are offered every Saturday at 11:30 AM and last approximately an hour. The cost is $45 + tax and gratuity, and one tour fee is waived with each 4-bottle purchase.
Q: What is the "Bee, Experienced!" program?
A: This is our unique "Flower to Flute" beekeeping experience where you can join our beekeepers for a hands-on inspection of working hives, pull frames of honey for hand-extraction, jar your own estate honey, and then enjoy a mead tasting. Children 12+ are welcome with an adult. Sessions typically run from 10:00 AM to 12:30 PM.
Q: Are dogs allowed at the Meadery?
A: Well-behaved dogs are welcome on leash in our outdoor areas. They are not permitted inside the Tasting Room or other buildings.
Q: Are children welcome?
A: Yes, children are very welcome, but please ensure they do not disrupt other guests.
Q: Is outside alcohol permitted?
A: Absolutely no outside alcohol is permitted on our property.
Q: Can we use ride-sharing services (Uber/Lyft) to get there?
A: We strongly recommend NOT using ride-sharing services as service is very spotty in our area, making it very difficult to hire a ride back home. North Bay Taxi is recommended for service in the area.
Purchasing Our Mead
Q: Can we purchase Heidrun Meadery products online?
A: Yes, you can order our sparkling meads and merchandise directly from our website.
Q: Do we have a wine club/mead club?
A: Yes, we offer "Club Mead" memberships (e.g., Club Mead Forager) which include discounted prices, guaranteed pre-release home delivery, 10% off other purchases, complimentary tastings for 4 people up to 4 times per year, and invitations to exclusive events. There is no fee to join, only the cost of the quarterly 3-bottle shipments. Subscriptions can be canceled, but a $25 fee applies if canceled within the first year.
Events & Contact
Q: How can we stay informed about events?
A: You can sign up for our e-newsletter or follow our social media pages (e.g., Instagram) to stay informed about upcoming Club Mead and general public events, including "Bee, Experienced!" sessions.
Q: How can we contact Heidrun Meadery?
A: For reservations or general inquiries, you can typically email info@heidrunmeadery.com or call us.