At Camp Cardinal’s Virginia Wine Camp, we’re not just about wine—we celebrate the full spectrum of Virginia’s craft beverages. This includes mead, one of the world’s oldest fermented drinks, which is experiencing a modern revival thanks to passionate artisans like Glenn Lavender, founder and owner of Silver Hand Meadery in Williamsburg.
From Stage to Cellar: A Journey of Passion
It’s easy to see why many call Glenn a modern-day Renaissance man. The accomplished musician spent 12 years touring North America and Europe as the bassist and trumpet player for the Juno Award-winning Christian rock band, Downhere. During his time on the road, he developed a fascination with beekeeping and was inspired by historical fiction novels, particularly Stephen Lawhead’s The Silver Hand. This combination of interests led him to discover and begin making mead, a honey-based beverage steeped in history and mythology.
Crafting a Modern Award-Winning Meadery
Glenn and his wife, Sherri, relocated from Canada to Williamsburg in 2012 and started giving mead-making even more of their attention. Their early creations garnered awards at the prestigious Mazer Cup, the world’s largest mead competition, which encouraged them to pursue mead-making professionally. In 2015, they opened Silver Hand Meadery, named after the novel that initially sparked Glenn’s interest.
Silver Hand Meadery is renowned for its innovative approach, blending traditional methods with contemporary flavors. Each mead is crafted using distinct honey varietals, such as orange blossom or avocado blossom, allowing the unique characteristics of each honey to shine. The Meadery offers a range of styles, from traditional meads to those infused with fruits, spices, and herbs, often drawing inspiration from music and literature for their names.
Today, Glenn and the Silver Hand Meadery team continue to produce some of the most highly acclaimed meads available. In 2022, Silver Hand received a commendation from the Commonwealth of Virginia for earning five gold medals in the Virginia Governor’s Cup competition. And in 2024, the team earned two more golds for its flagship meads: Raspberry Passion and Virginia Tonight.
A Mission Rooted in Rediscovery
Glenn’s philosophy centers on “rediscovering and reimagining”—not just mead, but the entire experience surrounding it. This ethos is evident in the Meadery’s ambiance, which features reclaimed materials and artistic touches that reflect a deep appreciation for history and creativity. Through Silver Hand Meadery, Glenn aims to connect people with the rich heritage of mead while crafting exceptional beverages that resonate with modern palates.
Meet Glenn at Virginia Wine Camp
We’re thrilled to welcome Glenn Lavender to Virginia Wine Camp, where guests will have the opportunity to learn about the art and science of mead-making directly from the source. Discover the stories behind Silver Hand Meadery’s unique creations and gain insight into the passion that drives this remarkable craftsman.
Raise a glass to tradition and innovation—join us in celebrating the makers who enrich Virginia’s vibrant beverage scene.
2025 Virginia Wine Camp Schedule:
- June 20-21, 2025: Rosemont of Virginia
- July 11-12, 2025: Gauthier Vineyard
- September 19-20, 2025: Silver Hand Meadery
Learn more and book now at campcardinalrvresort.com/virginia-wine-camp.
