Honey Tastings and Apiary Tours

2024 Schedule

May 4 - Skylaranna Resort & Spa
Bookings can be made on the SKYLARANNA website. 

 


Embark on an extraordinary journey into the enchanting world of bees and honey with Sandy Bee Mine’s Bee Yard Tour and Honey Tasting events. More than just an event, you will celebrate nature’s most industrious creatures and the golden elixir they produce. Join us for a day of immersive activities that will leave you buzzing.   
 

Experience the Bee Life: Don your very own beekeeper's suit and dive into the heart of a buzzing bee yard. Accompanied by a seasoned beekeeper, you'll gain firsthand insights into the fascinating life inside a honeybee colony. This immersive tour promises an up-close encounter with these incredible pollinators.

 

Sensory Delights: Indulge your taste buds in a honey extravaganza! Sample a variety of honeys, each with its unique flavor profile. Honey your honey tasting skills with a sensory analysis, unraveling the nuances of this liquid gold. From floral notes to robust textures, discover the diverse world of honey like never before.

 

Culinary Bliss: Enjoy a charcuterie board lunch, curated to complement the rich flavors of honey. Sip on wine and local beer as you enjoy a gastronomic journey that highlights the perfect marriage of food and nature.

 

Become An Expert: Dive into the honeybee lifecycle, the ins and outs of pollination, and the day-to-day buzz inside a hive. Learn practical tips on being a responsible bee steward in your daily life.  Explore honey production and how the unique features of the land – known as terroir – impacts honey. Get savvy on identifying adulteration and choosing high-quality honey for your own enjoyment. 

What's Included:

 
 
 FAQs
Q: Do you do private tours and tastings?
A: Sure do! We can do private tours at our bee yards in Buncombe, Henderson, and Polk counties. Contact Dave Foti at 828-693-1311 or david@sandybeemine.com to set something up.
Q: How can my business venue become a Honey Tastings and Apiary Tours location? 
A: Contact Dave Foti at 828-693-1311 or david@sandybeemine.com.
Q: Is this activity kid-friendly?
A: Children over the age of 5 are welcome to attend. However, the event has been developed for adults as it focuses on in-depth information about the honey industry, biology and ecology, and tasting subtle flavors. It includes walking to and standing in the bee yard for approximately 45 minutes. We leave it to you to decide whether your child would enjoy this. Contact us for more info as needed.
Q: Is this event accessible?
A: Each event location is unique. Please contact us for venue-specific information in advance.
Q: Bees are dangerous! How will you make sure that I'm safe?
A: Safety is our top priority. While in the apiary, you must wear the full bee suit we provide for you. Additionally, you must wear or bring close-toed shoes. No guests with exposed skin will be allowed in the apiary. Your visit to the apiary is optional. If you choose to skip the apiary tour, you will still have a fantastic day conducting a sensory analysis of the honeys, enjoying lunch, and learning about bees, honey, and the industry.
Q: What happens if we’re scheduled for an apiary tour and there’s bad weather?  
A: In the case of rain, high winds, or extreme temperatures, we'll modify the event with an indoor bee talk using observation hives. 
Q: What is your cancellation policy?  
A: Guests may receive a full refund or credit if they cancel up to 5 days prior to the event. Within 5 days of the event, guests are charged the full ticket price. No-shows will be charged the full ticket price.
Customers will receive a full refund or credit in the event that Sandy Bee Mine or the host venue cancels due to unforeseen circumstances. If the event is rescheduled for an alternate date, guests may decide whether they will attend the new date or accept reimbursement.
Your visit to the apiary is optional. If you choose to skip the apiary tour, you will still have a fantastic day conducting a sensory analysis of the honeys, enjoying lunch, and learning about bees, honey, and the industry.