Mead Spotlight!

Spotlight on Blacksnake Sweet Virginia

$14.99 for the 500 ml bottle
Semi-sweet Honey Wine

After meeting in grad school, Steve Villers and Joanne got married. After getting married, they eventually settled deep in southwest, VA and taught high school chemistry. After settling in Dugspur, they began raising bees (you know, like you do). Finally, in 2006, Steve and Joanne had nine hives, chemistry students and their tests to grade, a property replete with black snakes, and a desire to turn a passion for bees and honey into a business. Blacksnake Meadery was born.

The first meadery in Carrol County, Blacksnake was the only meadery in southwest, VA until recently. After years of making mead, the Villers have more hives, a trunkful of awards and some very tasty offerings. We’ve been lucky enough to have been tasting them pretty much since they first became available in Charlottesville.

The Sweet Virginia is a straight honey wine — the most uncomplicated type of mead in concept — just water, yeast, and the Villers’ well-cultivated wildflower honey. Though they call it the “Sweet” Virginia, the Villers have fashioned this mead to be semi-sweet. A moderate level of sweetness rushes in at the first sip, but fades on the finish revealing the complex herbality in honey that usually lies hidden. As you continue to drink it a lingering sweetness builds, but you never fully lose those herbal notes.

Keeping up with today’s Cocktail Culture, Blacksnake points out that you don’t have to enjoy their mead straight. For a “Meadarita” mix two ounces of Sweet Virginia with one ounce of tequila and the juice from half a lime, or try a “Meadhattan” using one part Sweet Virginia, one part rye whiskey, cherries, and a twist of orange.

Mead … it’s not just for vikings anymore.