Ethiopian Honey Wine Tasting Room In Alexandria Marks First In U.S.

ALEXANDRIA, VA — Negus Winery and Meadery Tasting Room, branded as the first tasting room for Ethiopian honey wine in the U.S., is open in Alexandria.

Located at 5509 Vine Street not far from the Van Dorn Street Metro, Negus Winery and Meadery Tasting Room is owned by winemaker and entrepreneur Gize Negussie. Ethiopian honey wine, also known as tej, is a 100 percent natural fermented beverage using raw honey with no sulphites.

The beverage dates back more than 3,000 years to the time of Queen of Sheba and is enjoyed at Ethiopian meals, gatherings, and celebrations. Alexandria has a notable Ethiopian population, and the DC region has the largest Ethiopian community outside of the African country.

Negussie aimed to make honey wine just like his mother used to make for family gatherings in Ethiopia while using modern processes and equipment. Negussie's honey wine uses wildflower honey from Lancaster, Pennsylvania, selected to replicate traditional Ethiopian honey wine's flavor. The honey wine is poured from traditional Ethiopian serving vessels.

Aside from honey wine, the tasting room also offers grape wines from Purcellville, Virginia that were bottled for Negus Wines. Snacks are available for purchase, including Ethiopian Injera crisps from local woman-owned company, Tsiona.

Group tours of the production facility are available by appointment. Current hours for the tasting room are 2 p.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday to Thursday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday to Saturday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Sunday and closed on Monday.

For more information, neguswines.com.