With a love of the outdoors and a family background in farming and science, Cristi and Scott’s interest in beekeeping came second nature. In 2017, the same year they were married, they started working with bees and created a meadow on their property to help all insects in general, not just honey bees. That first year, they saw a huge increase in the native ground bee population, as well as more bumble bees and monarch butterflies than they’d ever seen on the property before. They were able to harvest just enough honey to give a small jar to each of their wedding guests.

Cristi and Scott harvest honey from late-April until mid-July and are able to experience the variety of flavors throughout the season. The plants bees forage on makes a huge difference in the flavor, color, and complexity of the honey. It’s always a fun and delicious surprise to discover how the flavors evolve throughout the season and from year-to-year, and then to create specific products that highlight those unique varieties.

 
Honey bees are amazing little creatures! We are constantly learning about them and how to care for them. We love getting in the hives and seeing them work, seeing them do their waggle dance (which tells the other bees where to find the good nectar), spotting the queen or seeing a brand new bee emerge from its cell. It’s always a thrill to walk through the meadow or the garden and see the bees foraging and packed with pollen.

We’re so excited to share our beekeeping passion with you. Welcome to Nine Gates Apiary!
— Cristi & Scott