Virginia Mead & Honey Festival
Program Details & Spotlights
Celebrate the ancient craft of mead-making at the annual Virginia Mead & Honey Festival, hosted at the beautiful Mountain Run Winery. Sample a diverse variety of local meads, honeys, and craft beers from top producers across the state. The festival features live educational bee demonstrations, workshops on backyard beekeeping, local craft vendors, food trucks, and live music on the outdoor stage.
For those of us living the lake life at Lake Anna, a scenic weekend day trip is one of our favorite ways to explore the incredible beauty of Central Virginia. Just a short, picturesque 45-minute drive northwest into the rolling hills of Culpeper, the Virginia Mead & Honey Festival at Mountain Run Winery offers the perfect escape. This annual event has become a highly anticipated gathering for Lake Anna locals and visitors alike, celebrating the ancient, golden craft of mead-making and the vital role that honeybees play in our local ecosystem.
The venue itself, Mountain Run Winery, is an absolute gem of the Piedmont region. Nestled on a historic property with beautifully restored barns and sprawling vines, it provides a relaxed, rustic backdrop that perfectly mirrors the laid-back spirit of Lake Anna. During the festival, the vineyard lawn transforms into a vibrant celebration filled with the tempting aromas of gourmet food trucks, the clinking of tasting glasses, and the upbeat rhythms of live music echoing from the outdoor stage. It is an incredibly family-friendly and pet-friendly environment where you can stretch out, unwind, and soak up the Virginia sunshine.
At the heart of the festival is, of course, the honey. Mead, often referred to as "honey wine," is the oldest fermented beverage in human history, and it is currently enjoying a massive modern resurgence right here in Virginia. This festival brings together the top mead-makers, cideries, and craft breweries from across the commonwealth, offering you a rare opportunity to sample a staggering array of styles. From traditional sweet and dry meads to creative fruit-infused melomels and sparkling varieties, there is a flavor profile to delight every palate. Alongside the tastings, local apiaries will be selling raw honeys, propolis, beeswax candles, and handmade soaps direct from the hives.
What truly sets this festival apart is its educational and interactive spirit. Beyond the food and drink, you can watch live bee demonstrations safely conducted behind viewing glass, speak directly with passionate master beekeepers, and even attend workshops designed to help you start your very own backyard hive back at the lake. It’s a wonderful blend of agricultural education, craft beverage appreciation, and community gathering that makes for an unforgettable weekend excursion.
Why You Should Attend
- Unrivaled Tastings: Sample an incredible selection of craft meads, local beers, and estate wines in one gorgeous location.
- Support Local Apiaries: Meet regional beekeepers and purchase pure, raw, local honey and artisanal hive-based products.
- Fascinating Live Demos: Watch live bees in action and learn the fascinating inner workings of a hive from expert apiculturists.
- Live Entertainment & Food: Enjoy a full afternoon of live musical acts on the outdoor stage paired with delicious options from local food trucks.
- Artisan Market: Shop from dozens of local craft vendors featuring handmade jewelry, home decor, and specialty foods.
Insider Tips
- Bring Lawn Chairs & Blankets: While there is some seating available, the best way to enjoy the afternoon is by claiming a spot on the spacious lawn with your own setup.
- Pack a Cooler for the Car: You will definitely want to buy bottles of chilled mead, fresh honey, and artisan cheeses to bring back to Lake Anna. Having a cooler in your trunk keeps your treasures fresh!
- Arrive Early for Easy Parking: This is a highly popular regional event. Arriving right at noon ensures you secure a great parking spot and beat the mid-afternoon tasting lines.
- Make a Scenic Drive of It: Skip the main highways and take the beautiful backroads from Lake Anna through Orange and Culpeper counties for a gorgeous view of Virginia's horse country.
- Dog-Friendly Fun: Well-behaved, leashed dogs are welcome on the winery grounds, so feel free to bring your four-legged co-pilot along for the day.
⚓ Local Visitor Navigation Tips & Parking
Set on a historic 36-acre farm just minutes from downtown Culpeper. Bring lawn chairs to enjoy the live music. The venue is kid-friendly and dog-friendly (with dogs on leashes). Outside food and picnics are permitted, but no outside alcohol.