Beekind

The Beekind Honey Story

Doug Vincent became a beekeeper in 1998 after his garden continued to fail and he realized his fairly desperate need for pollinators. The following year his garden exploded as well as his passion and respect for honeybees. Joining the then “little" bee club in Sonoma County at the time, he recognized the amazing qualities of local and varietal honeys and the many other gifts the beloved honeybee brings to the table such as pollen, propolis, beeswax, royal jelly, bee venom and fascination. Doug then became immersed in the club learning to educate the public at the fairs and events that the club participated in. Doug saw a need to make available a steady and local source for beekeepers to sell their honey and purchase supplies. After meeting with the club and getting the group’s approval, Doug and his wife Katia opened the Beekind Honey and Beekeeping Supply Shop in Sebastopol in 2004 right before the Honeybee crash of 2004-2005. Little did they know they would become Bee central for all local aspiring backyard beekeepers to offset the huge honeybee losses at that time and into the now. The once small Sonoma County Beekeeper’s Association has now grown close to 500 members. This club and association growth has been seen across the country and the world as backyard beekeepers have risen to the call of saving the honeybee. Doug, his wife, son and several amazing employees continue to work in and around their store in Sebastopol providing education and making and selling all things bee: honey, beeswax candles, bees, supplies and gifts. They also have an outlet in the Ferry Building (the vision of their youngest daughter) where they sell honey and candles. At Beekind, you will always find amazing local, varietal, regional and international honeys to taste until your heart is content.