The HIVE isn’t just California’s only honey and mead tasting room. It also offers an al fresco, farm-to-table dining experience where every dish is infused with a different varietal honey.
At The HIVE in Woodland, honey isn’t simply a supporting ingredient – it’s the star of the show. Guests can explore over 30 different types of varietal honey and mead in their stunning tasting room before settling down in the pollinator courtyard to enjoy the newest CA GROWN specials.
Produce, pollinators and patios
The Zeldner family is clearly passionate about honey. So, it’s no surprise that their gorgeous outdoor dining area was landscaped with bees and other pollinators in mind.
Josh Zeldner, who co-created the space with his wife, explains, “What we’ve built here at the hive is a 20,000 square foot zero net energy facility, two acres of pollinator habitat. It’s California’s largest honey and mead tasting room, and just a beautiful wildlife sanctuary. You can come, sit, and enjoy the hummingbirds visiting, the bees buzzing around, and the changes in every season. People just keep coming back to the hive because it’s always something new to see here in the garden.”
Pollinators like honeybees are incredibly important to California agriculture – nearly 75% of crops depend on pollinators. Beyond the obvious benefit of creating a beautiful place for guests to enjoy a meal al fresco, the space offers much-needed habitat for pollinators in an otherwise urban area. Josh asserts, “It’s really important for places like this to exist. There’s a wide diversity of plants that the animals can visit, lay their eggs on and come back to. That’s my favorite part about stewarding this property, is being able to provide that habitat and space for our natural environment to just be.”
California Grown produce…and local honey
Josh Zeldner, self-proclaimed “Nectar Director”, explains that The HIVE is proud to showcase California Grown produce, some of which is even grown throughout their property. As you explore the garden and stroll down the walkways, you’ll find citrus trees, edible flowers, herbs, and vegetables – all of which make an appearance on their menu.
The HIVE also works closely with local farmers. Josh states, “Every time we are able to source local ingredients, it builds relationships. It creates the feeling that we want everybody to feel when they come to the HIVE – which is that they’re a part of something bigger and that they’re a part of the local food system.” He looks towards the garden, where a tomato bush is bursting with ripe fruit. He smiles and adds, “They can really see the produce growing here.”
What sets The HIVE apart from other California farm-to-table restaurants is their steadfast devotion to honey. Josh proudly states, “We use our honey in every item on our menu. Some of them in creative ways that you might not even notice, sometimes drizzled right on top.”
CA GROWN Specials
Josh is excited for guests to experience the CA GROWN menu items at The HIVE. “We’re showcasing a handful of really exciting collaborations with California Grown, many of which are incorporating ingredients that we’re growing right here on our property at The HIVE. Our Chef Diego is bringing incredible recipes from his experience all over the world, blending local California cuisine with international flavors.” Here’s a taste of what you’ll find on the CA GROWN Menu.
Shishito Pepper Skillet
Blistered shishito peppers are tossed with a white balsamic and California sage honey reduction, then topped with toasted sesame seeds and culinary sage from The HIVE’s on-site garden. Josh raves, “We got a trifecta of this really beautiful spicy, smoky, sweet kind of combination in the shishito peppers.”
Watermelon Salad
Watermelon Salad is a warm-weather staple, and The HIVE pulls out all the stops. California Grown cucumber, avocado, goat cheese and watermelon are coated in a Honey Blood Orange Vinaigrette, served on a bed of watercress and dotted with toasted Pistachios. “It’s just a really beautiful expression of California in the summertime,” Josh smiles.
Fennel Burrata Caprese
If you only try one of the California Grown specials at The HIVE, try the Fennel Burrata Caprese. Juicy heirloom tomatoes from The HIVE’s garden soak in Séka Hills olive oil and a honey balsamic vinaigrette. Luxuriously creamy burrata adds silky texture, while shaved fennel, radicchio and baby arugula round out the dish with a little bit of bite.
Visit The Hive
1221 Harter Ave.
Woodland, CA 95776
(530) 668-0660
The Hive is open Wednesday through Sunday, and CA GROWN seasonal specials will run through October.
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The HIVE
1221 Harter Avenue, Woodland, California 95776, United States
Article by Hilary Rance. Photography by James Collier.