Tonya
Tonya Haley
Co-Founder of Haley’s Honey Meadery
Tonya Haley is the visionary behind Haley’s Honey Meadery, a beacon of innovation and community in the heart of Hopewell, Virginia. Born and raised in Chesterfield, Virginia, not far from where the Meadery stands today, Tonya inherited a profound respect for nature and beekeeping from her father, a dedicated beekeeper and supplier. This early exposure to the beekeeping world sparked a passion in Tonya that would later become the cornerstone of Haley’s Honey Meadery.
Armed with a degree in Urban Studies and Planning from Virginia Commonwealth University and a Master’s in Education from Virginia State University, Tonya ventured into the world, driven by a desire to make a meaningful impact. After two decades of successfully selling honey and recognizing the need for innovation in an oversaturated market, Tonya, alongside her husband Mike, embarked on a journey to create a unique offering – Mead, or honey wine. This decision marked the beginning of Haley’s Honey Meadery, a venture that combines Tonya’s beekeeping heritage with her entrepreneurial spirit.
Under Tonya’s leadership, Haley’s Honey Meadery has flourished since its doors opened on November 17, 2018. The tasting room now offers 20 different types of mead, attracting locals and visitors alike. Tonya’s commitment to “shopping local” and utilizing quality ingredients has not only set Haley’s Honey Meadery apart but has also made it a beloved staple in the community.
The Haleys Behind The Mead
Tonya and Mike Haley are the dynamic duo behind Haley’s Honey Meadery, a testament to their shared passion for innovation, community, and the art of mead-making. With Tonya’s deep-rooted beekeeping heritage and Mike’s meticulous craftsmanship, they have transformed a family tradition into a thriving business that champions local produce and creative excellence. Their journey from concept to successful meadery is a blend of vision, dedication, and a dash of adventure, making Haley’s Honey Meadery not just a business, but a destination for those seeking a taste of something genuinely local and lovingly made. Together, they’ve cultivated a space where community, quality, and the rich legacy of beekeeping converge, creating not just mead, but memories.
Mike
Mike Haley
Co-Founder & Head Mead-Maker
Mike Haley is the problem-solver, quality controller, and head mead-maker at Haley’s Honey Meadery, where he skillfully combines innovation with tradition to produce exquisite honey wines. His journey is one of diverse experiences, from serving in the Navy as a Builder in the Seabees of NMCB-40, to excelling in Xray School as a member of the Honor Society (Lambda Nu). These experiences instilled in Mike a discipline and precision that he now applies to mead-making.
By day, Mike serves as an Xray Tech at Ft. Lee, a role that demands attention to detail and a steady hand. But it’s after hours that Mike truly embraces his creative side, delving into the world of mead production. As the QC (Quality Control) expert at Haley’s Honey Meadery, Mike ensures that every idea and innovation not only fits in the bottle but exceeds expectations. His dedication to crafting the perfect mead is evident in the Meadery’s success and reputation.
Together with his wife, Tonya, Mike has turned Haley’s Honey Meadery into a thriving business that prides itself on quality, community, and innovation. Despite the challenges, including navigating the business through the COVID-19 pandemic with inventive solutions like a traveling trolley for mead deliveries, Mike’s adaptability and problem-solving skills have been key to the Meadery’s resilience and growth.
At Haley’s Honey Meadery, Mike Haley continues to ensure that every batch of mead not only tells a story but is of the highest quality, much like the gray hairs he wears as badges of his commitment and hard work.
Hopewell
Location
| Monday-Friday | Closed |
| Friday | Varies Call for Times |
| Saturday | 12:00pm-5:00pm |
| Sunday | 12:00pm - 5:00pm |
PHONE
[email protected]
ADDRESS
Fredericksburg
Location
| Monday-Tuesday | Closed |
| Wednesday-Thursday | Closed |
| Friday-Saturday | Closed |
| Sunday | Closed |
PHONE
[email protected]