When you want to get a taste of the finest honey wine around, you’ll just have to zip on over to visit the Nani Moon Meadery. The only of its kind on Kauai, this meadery starts every batch with local honey, water, and yeast before infusing it with distinct Hawaiian flavors. From Kona Coffee and white pineapple to allspice and raw ginger, all the island flavors shine brightly in the many mead varieties in their collection.
Originally born as a labor of love by Stephanie Krieger, this operation has grown into a family affair. After dreaming up mead after mead in her modest garage, she moved the whole operation to just south of Kapaa Beach. From this picturesque location, they expertly ferment batch after batch of mead for every season. Before each batch hits the shelves, their talented graphic artist, Shastin Snyder, adorns the labels with dreamy scenes featuring women, wildlife, and landscapes galore.
As soon as they opened their doors, their base collection instantly gained a cult following, although their seasonal fare is always well worth stopping by for a taste. You’re definitely welcome to drop in, too, as long as you make a reservation first. Their tasting experience books out fast, after all, especially as the seasons change and new varieties of mead hit the menu.
With your reservation, you get a chance to sample mead your way by choosing between their many tasting options. They offer their 30-minute mead tasting experience in the form of ala carte pours, half flights, and by the glass. The most popular option by far, however, is the Royal Flight, which offers a taste of their top seven varieties. Along with your mead, you’ll get small bite plates to help accentuate all the rich flavors in every sip. Plus, you can enjoy the opportunity to chat one-on-one with the owner about her ingredients, fermentation process, and love for mead.
If you prefer to fly by the seat of your pants, just come in anytime to buy their mead by the glass or the bottle. Although you won’t have a guide available to lead you through all the complex flavors, whatever mead you pick will undoubtedly leave you feeling more than impressed.
Their most popular offerings include:
Buzz Squared
When you want to energize your day, you can always count on the Buzz Squared to come through in a big way. This decadent mead features an iconic mix of local honey and Kona Coffee that leads to an incredibly rich finish.
Pineapple Lime
Refreshing fruit flavors stand at the forefront of the Pineapple Lime mead, taking you on an island journey sip after sip. The island blossom honey hits the tastebuds first before a mix of pineapple and Tahitian limes join the party.
Deviant Beehavior
For a little bit of a sweet and spicy kick, treat yourself to the Deviant Beehavior mead. The Hawaiian wildflower base provides delicious sweetness, while Hawaiian chili peppers provide spice. Organic white pineapple brings it all together at the end, inspiring you to take yet another sip.
If you absolutely need to get your fill of honey wine after returning home, you can order four, six, or twelve bottle packs for a flat rate. All their top varieties are on tap and ready to order, along with a handful of seasonal offerings. Their small batch seasonal varieties change on a near quarterly basis depending on what fruits and spices are in season. So, be sure to check back often to try all the newest meads in their lineup.
Insider Tips:
-When booking your tasting reservation, keep in mind that they can only accommodate up to six people at a time. One minor under age 21 can accompany the group.
-If you love the meadery, think about buying their swag to wear on all your Kauai explorations and back at home, too. They often have t-shirts, tank tops, hats, and stickers, although their offerings change on the regular.
-When bought at the same time, they can ship their merch to your door along with your honey wine delivery. The only exception is their hats, which must ship separately.