It’s just a happy coincidence Norbert Mede’s last name is similar to “mead,” the fermented honey-and-water drink favored by kings and noblemen back in the day.
Mead is pretty close to another drink, except that one is made from fermented grapes. And that’s a drink Mede, 57, knows a thing or two about.
Founder of the Memphis Wine Society, Mede says the organization “was formed, essentially, out of a perceived need by me to fill a gap in the wine culture in the greater Memphis area.”
Born and raised in the San Francisco bay area, Mede has the right credentials. “I’ve been in the hotel and restaurant business all my life. Through that, around wine. Developing wine lists. Thirty years, basically, in resort and restaurant management. I was a chef for eight years in Washington state. And then I bought my own hotel, a small boutique restaurant, The Jamestown Hotel and Restaurant.”
In 2020, Mede took a job as vice president of hospitality for Wilson, Arkansas. “An Arkansas destination town is what they wanted to build.
“I made Memphis my home while I transitioned.” And he became a fan. “Actually, I love the fact that Memphis isn’t grown up. You go to Nashville, the population has lost its roots, in a sense.”
Memphis Wine Society was born after Mede decided wine was his passion, and he wanted to do something with it in Memphis. “I have a unique ability to fill in this region because I have the desire, one. And I have some experience.”
Mede doesn’t claim to be “the biggest wine expert,” but he feels he can combine his dining, business, and hospitality experience to “bring wine education to a new level” here.
Memphis doesn’t have “a strong wine culture,” Mede says. “There are people who love wine. I meet them every day.” But he wants to “elevate the experience.”
Memphis Wine Society will be membership-based, and members will “have access to our wine concierge service.” This will help people with their “wine journey” in various ways, including recommending wines to serve with their events.
The organization will hold “monthly social events, pop-ups,” where it will “tie in some wine knowledge or education with the venue.”
On September 7th, Mede will host a Memphis Wine Society event, First Press, at the Jay Etkin Gallery. “First Press equates to the first press of the grapes. And we’re getting into the harvest season around the world.”
Mede also aims for Memphis Wine Society to host wine dinners, featuring out-of-town and local chefs. And he wants members of the wine industry to conduct local tastings. “To bring in their product and expertise.”
As for future plans, Mede says, “Eventually, the Memphis Wine Society wants its own building and location to create a more interactive social club.”
He’d like to see an “urban winery” one day, where “we import grapes from various areas and create our own winery in Memphis.” In addition to being a tourist attraction, it would provide education about making wine. “Which brings it to another future goal,” he says, “and that’s to create a Memphis Wine Academy.”
The academy would “provide wine education resources and business education, around the wine business. But also the history of winemaking chemistry.” People would be able to “have success making their own micro batches of wine.”
Memphis is now home, Mede says. “I’m at a point in my life where I’m getting tired of moving. I was looking for my swan song. The thing I want to leave as my legacy. I don’t have any children. [So] leave a project behind that I could look back on my career and say, ‘This is the culmination, the fruit of all my efforts.’
“I decided this is my forever home. I think it’s got tremendous potential. Memphis has a lot of great stuff going on.”
And, he says, “I get to be a part of it.”
Visit memphiswinesociety.com for more information.
