Mead and the Environment

Drinking mead is good for the planet! Each bottle of mead contains the nectar of two million flowers, which means ten or twenty million seeds were pollinated to continue the cycle of life. Each sip of refreshing Wild Blossom mead renews the Earth.

While wine may appear to be one of the most natural alcoholic beverages, it is not without carbon inputs and emissions, which contribute to the very change in climate that is altering both wine and wine making. Compared to many other crops, grapes yield relatively little output per hectare on average between 74 and 148 pounds per acre (corn, by contrast, can yield between 4 and 7.5 tons per acre). Grapes require between 22 and 50 pounds of agrichemicals (biocides and fertilizers) per ton, and grapes can also require a large amount of water relative to their output; about 550,000 liters per ton. Not only does this water use potentially lead to the depletion of local aquifers, but it also requires energy for pumping, and carries excess agrichemicals into riparian ecosystems. The exact amount of water used depends highly on local climate, regulatory laws, preferences of vineyard managers, and weather patterns¹.

Mead is nature's #1 sustainable beverage. Unlike wine from grapes, it does not require cropland, cultivation, irrigation, pesticides, or fertilizers. What it does require are wildflowers and happy bees! Not only is mead completely sustainable and almost without waste, but it actually nourishes the Earth. The bees pollinate the flowers and sustain the cycle of life and rebirth of the Earth while producing delicious honey that can be turned into one of our delectable and refreshing meads.

If you live in Illinois, you're also helping the environment by buying a local product. Shipping wine from California, France, and Australia has a tremendous carbon "cost" and by buying a local product you avoid this cost.