The Sweet Life of Bees at Painted Horse Winery
- pamelaborgel
- Jul 2
- 5 min read
Updated: 5 minutes ago
When the Chainsaw Hit the Hive an unexpected discovery became the foundation of our sweetest farm tradition
Picture this: a routine morning in 2018, the sound of chainsaws cutting through the Georgia air as we prepared to remove a massive dead oak tree from our property. Everything was going according to plan until the blade hit something unexpected – a thriving honeybee colony that had made this ancient tree their home.
In that moment, we had a choice. Continue with the removal or pause to honor these incredible creatures who had been our quiet neighbors all along. For us, there was no question. We halted the operation immediately and called in a beekeeper to safely relocate our new friends.
Watching that expert beekeeper work was like witnessing magic. She moved with such grace and knowledge, locating the queen and gently coaxing the entire colony to follow. What started as an obstacle became an awakening here at Painted Horse – and the beginning of our journey into the fascinating world of apiculture.
From One Rescued Hive to a Thriving Apiary
That single rescued hive was just the beginning. Within six months, our colony grew to three hives. As we learned more about beekeeping and brought in additional expertise, we expanded to six hives. But it wasn't until Ed Morgan joined our farm family about a year ago that our apiary truly flourished. Under his skilled care, we've more than doubled our operation and now maintain 14 thriving hives across our property.
Ed brings years of beekeeping experience to Painted Horse, managing not just our hives but several other apiaries throughout the region. His expertise has been transformational – not only in growing our bee population but in educating our community about these remarkable insects. His passion for bee stewardship shines through in every workshop and interaction, making complex beekeeping concepts accessible to visitors of all ages.
Why Bees Matter to Our Farm & Vineyard
You might wonder how bees fit into a winery operation, and the answer lies in the intricate web of farm life. While grapes are actually self-pollinators and don't rely on bees for reproduction, our buzzing friends play a vital role in supporting the diverse ecosystem that makes our farm thrive.
Our bees are the champions of the smaller flowering plants throughout our property – from wildflowers in our pastures to the herbs in our gardens. But their true treasure lies in our Linden trees. These beautiful trees, when in bloom, provide the primary nectar source for our bees, creating honey that carries the distinctive floral notes of our specific terroir.
Operating a chemical-free farm in harmony with our bees does present challenges. Growing grapes without harmful sprays and chemicals – substances that can be devastating to bee populations – requires extra diligence and natural farming methods. But for us, protecting these essential pollinators is worth every effort.
The Magic of Linden Honey: Our Liquid Gold
Just as our wines reflect the unique characteristics of our land, our honey tells the story of place in its own delicious way. Our Linden honey captures the essence of those majestic trees that dot our landscape, creating a floral, delicate sweetness that you simply can't find anywhere else.
Each year, our industrious bees help us harvest 400-500 pounds of this liquid gold. But this year, we're especially excited to expand our offerings beyond our signature Linden honey. We're crafting artisanal infused varieties, including chili pepper honey for those who love a spicy kick, bright lemon honey perfect for tea or drizzling over cheese, and a warming cinnamon and vanilla honey that tastes like comfort in a jar.
We're also producing honey pollen and propolis tincture for those interested in the natural health benefits these bee products offer. Available in 8-ounce and 16-ounce jars, our honey can be picked up at the farm or shipped directly to your door.
For our local friends dealing with seasonal allergies, our honey offers more than just sweetness – consuming honey from your local area can help build immunity to regional allergens, making our Linden honey both a treat and a natural remedy.
Join Our Honey Harvest Team
This July, we're offering something truly special – the chance to be part of our honey harvest team! On July 20th at 9am, you can step behind the scenes and experience the entire honey-making process from hive to jar.
Early Bird Experience (9am): Arrive early to beat the heat and observe Ed safely removing frames from the hives – a mesmerizing process that showcases the intricate architecture of a working hive
Hands-On Learning: Master the honey extractor, learn the art of straining honey to remove wax and debris, and discover the techniques for properly bottling liquid gold
Small Group Experience: Limited to just 10 participants, ensuring personalized attention and plenty of hands-on opportunities
Farm-to-Table Lunch: Enjoy a delicious meal featuring fresh ingredients, paired with our handcrafted wines
Take Home Memories: Plus the satisfaction of knowing you've been part of creating something truly special
This approximately 3-hour experience combines education, hands-on participation, and the pure joy of working alongside our bee expert Ed Morgan. At $195 per person (including lunch and wine), it's an investment in understanding one of nature's most fascinating processes.
Spaces are extremely limited – only 10 spots available! Click here to join!
The Sweet Connection: More Than Just Honey
Our bee program represents everything we love about farm life – the connection to natural rhythms, the importance of sustainable practices, and the joy of sharing knowledge with our community. Since Ed joined our team, we've expanded to monthly bee workshops, each one filling up quickly as people discover the fascinating world of these incredible insects.
Whether you're a curious beginner interested in bee behavior, someone considering beekeeping, or want to deepen your connection to the natural world, our bee experiences are one of a kind.
The world of bees moves in seasons, and there's always something new happening in our apiary. From spring hive inspections to summer honey flows, from autumn preparations to winter cluster formation – each season brings its own wonder and learning opportunities.
Don't miss a buzz of the action! Subscribe to our newsletter to be the first to know when new bee workshops are announced. Our monthly educational sessions with Ed fill up fast, and newsletter subscribers get first access to registration.
Ready to Join the Honey Harvest?
From a chance encounter with a chainsaw to a thriving apiary that produces hundreds of pounds of artisanal honey each year – our bee journey embodies the spirit of Painted Horse Winery. We take what life gives us, treat it with respect and care, and transform it into something beautiful to share with our community.
Come discover the sweet life of bees with us. Whether you join our harvest team, attend a monthly workshop, or simply stop by to taste our Linden honey, you'll leave with a deeper appreciation for these remarkable creatures and the vital role they play in our farm ecosystem.
After all, at Painted Horse, you arrive as a guest and leave as family – and our bee family is always buzzing with excitement to welcome new members!
Ready to experience the magic of our apiary? Visit us at Painted Horse Winery, where every day brings new discoveries and every jar of honey tells the story of our land.
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