Did you know that Harmony Hollow has it’s own honey?
Sonoran Foothills is the blend of honey that Bill Payne captures at Harmony Hollow. (I obviously don’t know the correct terminology of bee keepers). The Sonoran Foothills Harmony Hollow honey varies slightly from year to year depending on what has bloomed well. Mesquite, Palo Verde, and Sahuaro are big components, and I’m sure all kinds of other things.
Early on in our adventure the Cross family (the former owners of HH) told us about Bill Payne, and his bees that visit Harmony Hollow for part of the year. They put us in touch and we were excited to continue the relationship, keeping the bees doing their busy-bee business at the Hollow. We also learned that Bill had spent a lot of time at Harmony Hollow as a teenager.
I’ve heard Bill called the Bee Whisperer and after getting to know him a little bit I can see why. He moves his hives from place to place around the state, depending on what is ready to bloom. His Orange Blossom honey is amazing, too (not from Harmony Hollow, of course).
UPDATE SPRING/SUMMER 2023 from Bill:
“Interesting how the nectar flows differ from year to year. The Sahuaros are blooming with the Palo Verde, Catclaw is gong to out perform the Mesquite. Some years, the Sahuaros bloom last, and I can isolate their honey. Mesquite nearly always blooms before, and more than the Catclaw. Like Lori said, every year is different!”
See what I mean? He can isolate certain blooms!.
I’ve never been a big honey user, but tasting Payne Gulch Honey made me understand why. What I’ve tried from the grocery store does not even come close, and that is about as big of an understatement as I can make.
It’s also fun to see the bees taking a break to grab some water over at the Stamp Mill Pond.
As for where you can get Payne Gulch Honey, you can find Bill at farmers markets around town, or pick some up at Desert Maven in Frontier Town in Cave Creek.
