Bartholomews Meadery – A Bee’utiful Denmark Experience

Regularly TC contributor Naomi has been exploring the Great Southern, today she takes us on an adventure to Bartholomews Meadery…

---

I hadn’t intended to visit Bartholomews Meadery on my drive but after a recommendation from the team at Harewood Estate, I thought, why not!

I can’t say that I have had a lot of mead in my life, but I am always open to trying new or different things.

Firstly, What Is Mead?

• Mead, also known as “honey wine,” is made from fermenting honey with water.
• Mead was drunk by the Vikings. Ancient Greeks called it Ambrosia, ‘the drink of the gods’.
• Brewing techniques date back more than 3,000 years and is believed to be the world’s oldest alcoholic libation
• The taste varies according to the style of mead and the mixes, such as fresh fruit and spices and can be produced in a variety of sweetness levels, from dry to sweet, still or sparkling.
• It can be served chilled or heated, added to a punch or a spritzer.
• The flavour can change between seasons and the type of nectar the bees have collected.

But What About The Wine?

The mead from Bartholomews Meadery is made from natural honey sourced only from the south-west of Western Australia.

The honey is not processed or heat-treated. It comes straight from the hive.

Did you know: Mead can be re-corked or capped, popped back into the fridge and last up to roughly two weeks.

What Did I Taste And What Did I Love?

Great Southern Shiraz and Pure unprocessed honey are made into a scrumptious Shiraz Pyment. I was really intrigued at how well I thought these two worked together!

I tasted this as a mulled Metheglin. This drink is perfect as an after-dinner drink and would match a cold winters night.

Think of a rich spicy aroma, spiced with ginger, cinnamon and cloves. All lovely compliments to the honey flavour.

Single Vineyard Sellers have a wonderful tasting note for the Sweet Forest Mead.

This mead is a pale yellow straw colour. Aroma of florals, ginger and white grape. Honeyed character on the palate with touches of citrus and ginger spices. Produced by fermentation of Eucalyptus flower honey, this is a full-bodied mead with rich honey aromas and flavours. It’s well balanced with great texture and a clean finish. It would complement poached and stewed fruit or mature cheese like cheddars.”

The Cellar Door Experience

The cellar door is very cute. If you love honey and bees, you will easily find a knick-knack or ornament that you will fall in love with.

The staff were lovely, imparting their extensive knowledge of the mead making process and explaining the difference between each variety.

Not only did I enjoy sampling the mead, but I also enjoyed indulging in a honey ice cream.

Although my visit was on a day that was a little grey and wet. I did enjoy spending some time in their quaint courtyard where I savoured my purchase.

Something else that was a little fun, which I only noticed on my way out, was the logs with the many hats (and a bra!). I would love to know that story behind this.

Want To Find Out More?

Bartholomews Meadery
Address: 2620 South Coast Highway, William Bay
Opening Hours: 7 Days per week – 9.30am – 4.30pm; School Holidays – 7 days per week – 9am – 5pm
Phone: 08 9840 9349
Website | Facebook | Instagram