OK, I'm definitely contacting someone in my area about getting into this somehow, even if it's ridiculously minor.
How do small meaderies stay in business?
- Thread starter capoeirista13
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Wow! What a brew-friendly state! I think I need to move to Washington! So are you going for it?!
-Sunny
-Sunny
Unfortunately, probably not here.
My wife's family is all on the east coast (mine is a bit spread out), and she seems to have finally talked me into moving to vermont. Even more unfortunate, is that vermont is one of those states with super archaic laws. even to receive shipped wine from a licensed winery, you have to have paper work filed with the government. it's crazy. and the state permits seem to be as expensive as the federal ones are (their online system is not as easy to navigate as washington state's, so i'm not totally sure). but, i'm stubborn, so we'll see.
isn't it hard not to want to? like ya'll, i've had way too many people asking me to sell them some. it's just so enticing, but i know reality is a different trip, compared to my romanticized version of operating a meadery.
-dave
My wife's family is all on the east coast (mine is a bit spread out), and she seems to have finally talked me into moving to vermont. Even more unfortunate, is that vermont is one of those states with super archaic laws. even to receive shipped wine from a licensed winery, you have to have paper work filed with the government. it's crazy. and the state permits seem to be as expensive as the federal ones are (their online system is not as easy to navigate as washington state's, so i'm not totally sure). but, i'm stubborn, so we'll see.
isn't it hard not to want to? like ya'll, i've had way too many people asking me to sell them some. it's just so enticing, but i know reality is a different trip, compared to my romanticized version of operating a meadery.
-dave
I have to say, I Love Vermont. Beautiful State. Wonderful People.
My Son was born in a little house on Front Street in Burlington 16 years ago.
But that has nothing to do with mead, sorry.
Good Luck to you on your journey, Dave.
My Son was born in a little house on Front Street in Burlington 16 years ago.
But that has nothing to do with mead, sorry.
Good Luck to you on your journey, Dave.
Don't forget Renaissance Festivals. I went to one in Annweiler a couple of weeks ago and they had at least 4 booths selling different meads (multiple types and varieties). Not a bottle of Chaucers to be found in the entire village. I came home with a bottle of vanilla, one of chili, and 2 different traditionals. I am SOOO not willingly coming back to the states (until I have to). LOL
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I'd have to say I'm partial to Washington for brewing and meadmaking. We've got wild blackberries busting out all over here and the bees had a field day with them a month ago. Plus with the friendly state requirements, it's a good place to be. Now if only people knew the true value of good mead.
Buzzer
Buzzer
I started building a small winery in my basement earlier this year. The cold room will hold up to eighty 5 gallon carboys. I picked up two 55 gallon malt drums from my local HBS to use as primaries. Check us out at http://www.dragonslairmeads.com/. You can see a floor plan under "The Lair". The plan is to make two batches of mead and two batches of fruit wine every month. I have already arranged to get all my fruit and honey wholesale from local producers and I have wholesale access to a local equipment supplier. Several merchants have agreed to carried our stuff. All I need now is my license.
The only obsticles to ones success are those we impose on ourselves. Success is an attitude. So is failure.
The only obsticles to ones success are those we impose on ourselves. Success is an attitude. So is failure.
A good area to look at small wineries, I know not meaderies, is in Elgin/Sonoita, AZ. This area of AZ is one of the only areas that is certified to grow grapes (by some wine standards) and they have about a dozen or so different wineries setup in the area. Most are family operations that operate out of their houses/garages/barns and usually have a very formal tasting room in the house. Prices typically range from $16 - $30 per bottle and have excellent taste to them.
If you wanted to see how they operate hop a plan to Tucson and head south for about an hour and you will be able to see how things work. Typically the tasting rooms want you to bring your own glass (helps offset the costs) or you can buy one of theirs for a premium price. I can't wait until I can get back there to take home several cases of wine.
Just my $.02
-Shawn
If you wanted to see how they operate hop a plan to Tucson and head south for about an hour and you will be able to see how things work. Typically the tasting rooms want you to bring your own glass (helps offset the costs) or you can buy one of theirs for a premium price. I can't wait until I can get back there to take home several cases of wine.
Just my $.02
-Shawn
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