A NEW CLASSICDiscover the luxurious new taste of the world’s oldest alcoholic drink
Mead is thought to be the oldest alcoholic drink known, existing for thousands of years, and appearing in cultures and places both diverse and far flung.
From Ancient China and India, through, Persia, Egypt, Ethiopia, South Africa to Rome, Greece, Scandinavia, and the Mayan empire in the Americas, there is evidence of mead playing a role in the social and religious lives of both the important and everyday people.
Modern mead is being rediscovered as a delicious, smooth alternative to wines and spirits.
It has the natural sweetness of a good honey, and sips like a dessert wine.
Our Mānuka mead is a new classic - reinvented for the modern world - single origin, no added flavours or chemicals - batch crafted using one of the most desirable honey in the world.
Treat yourself to a new classic.
Early EvidenceThe oldest chemical evidence of honey-fermentation is found in what is now China (7000–6600 BCE).
Vedic India Texts speak of ‘madhu’ (mead) used in spiritual rituals. (c. 2000 BCE)
Ethiopia/Eritrea Tej (mead) a long-standing tradition going back centuries, it can still be found today
Ancient GreecePliny the Elder authors mead recipes in 77CE
Maya (Yucatán)Balché (mead) is a sacred beverage existing before Spanish colonization.
Norse (Scandinavia)Long before the Vikings, Scandinavians were fermenting honey with grains, berries, and herbs
Neolithic Pottery Jars from Jiahu (Henan province, China), ca.6000-5500 BCE. ( J. Zhang, University of Science and Technology in China, and Henan Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology)
Contemporary MeadMead is experiencing a revival in recent times, as drinkers desire more organic, healthy - yet decadent - tastes.
Out premium meads honour the history of mead making, while adapting to make use of world class New Zealand honey.
Sustainably sourced to ensure the environment, and your conscience, remains undisturbed.
international EnquiriesOutside of New Zealand? Express your interest to be notified when international deliveries are available.
Mead rangeExplore our mead range, small-batch crafted in New Zealand.
