Year Three from Schramm’s Mead is a richly layered melomel crafted from fruit harvested in the third year of the producer’s own orchards, picked at optimal ripeness to capture full intensity and balance. This release reflects Schramm’s philosophy of prioritizing raw ingredient quality and high fruit concentration, resulting in a dense, expressive profile built around red berries such as raspberry, strawberry, and currant.
Honey forms the structural backbone but remains integrated rather than dominant, supporting the fruit and adding depth. The palate is full-bodied and smooth, with a jam-like richness balanced by vibrant acidity that prevents excessive sweetness.
Its texture is silky, leading to a long, evolving finish with notes of ripe fruit, floral honey, and subtle vanilla nuances. Stylistically, Year Three leans closer to a fine dessert wine than a traditional mead, designed for slow sipping and sensory exploration.
Produced in limited quantities and shaped by vintage-specific conditions, it represents a precise snapshot of a single harvest, making it a distinctive and collectible expression within the Schramm’s portfolio.
Producer
Schramm’s Mead is a craft meadery from Ferndale, Michigan, led by Ken Schramm, one of the most renowned authors and practitioners in the world of mead production. Their approach is based on the use of carefully selected honey, such as orange blossom honey, and large quantities of high-quality fruit, with some releases using more than 10 pounds of fruit per gallon of mead.
The range includes melomels, fruit-forward meads, and metheglins with spices, all reflecting a strong dedication to authentic and full-bodied flavors. The first meadery and tasting room opened in 2013 in Ferndale, where visitors can sample both core offerings and experimental editions.
Their portfolio features drinks with distinctive character, from classic berry combinations to exotic releases made with rare honeys. The brand is built on the values of quality and fidelity to ingredients, with plans for cultivating their own fruit and producing honey to increase sustainability.
Today, Schramm’s Mead is regarded as one of the most respected meaderies in the world, recognized for its commitment to excellence and authenticity.