Discover Wine Series

Discover Wine Series at Silver Hand Meadery sits in Williamsburg, Virginia, a short drive from Colonial Historic Area and the James River. For visitors who love thoughtfully guided tastings, this monthly wine education series transforms the meadery’s tasting room into a classroom of flavor. The event runs about 45–60 minutes and pairs five to six curated pours with a small cheese plate while an educator narrates technique, terroir, and tasting notes.

What makes this series special is the blend of local story and global perspective. The session celebrating Silver Hand’s tenth anniversary highlights founder Glenn’s anecdotes — including the meadery’s first Strawberry Swing — and traces a path from honey-based fermentations to wines from around the world. The room itself is practical and convivial: tasting bar, flight board, and shelves of bottles and honey jars that recall the region’s beekeeping traditions.

Expect attentive pours and conversational learning rather than formal lectures. Key features of the experience include guided sensory training, comparative tasting of five to six wines, and a small cheese plate that anchors palate cleansers. The broader setting connects to Williamsburg’s colonial-era landscape and the neighboring patches of loblolly pine and mixed hardwoods—habitat for local pollinators whose honey inspires the meads.

The combination of mead history and modern wine education makes the site a standout: a beverage program that honors Virginia’s honey traditions while engaging international varietals. Practical details: tastings are 21+ and reservations are refundable up to 24 hours before the event. Sessions are led by the in-house educator, Kenny Bumbaco, with occasional appearances and stories from founder Glenn.

Themes change monthly—recent examples include rosé-focused flights for summer. Bring a curiosity for flavor and plan for an hour; larger groups and non-participants are restricted. Why this venue matters to the local outdoor-recreation community: Silver Hand preserves a link between landscape and libation, spotlighting honey as a local ingredient and supporting regional beekeepers.

For travelers pairing active days—kayaking the James River or biking through the Williamsburg Greenway—with relaxed, instructive tastings, the Discover Wine Series offers a low-key evening that deepens appreciation for place-based drinks. Book in advance for themed nights, arrive sober enough to taste, and linger afterward to talk with staff about bottle purchases or mead production. Whether you’re a novice learning terms like \"finish\" and \"acidity\" or a regular looking for a fresh pour and a good story, this 45–60 minute tasting is an informative, convivial stop in Williamsburg’s growing beverage scene.

Expect to purchase bottles to take home; ask about seasonal small-batch meads and limited-release wines. Parking near the tasting room is limited on weekend evenings, so consider a short walk or rideshare. Respect the 21+ rule and tip servers for guided pours and thank staff.