It all started on a fruit farm in picturesque Lutton, to the east of Oundle and, whilst it may sound like the premise and title of a romantic comedy starring Imelda Staunton, Blue Aurora is, in fact, Northamptonshire’s only producer of absolutely splendiferous blueberry wine. It’s made from 100% blueberries grown right here in Northants and it all came about from all the teeny weeny blueberries that didn’t quite meet the consumers’ specifications. Farmer Stephen Long, one of the first commercial blueberry growers in the UK, was keen to reduce waste and, looking for solutions, he found his eureka! moment when researching blueberry farms in the US and the blueberry wine dream was born.

Fast forward to 2019 and the very first batch of amazing Blue Aurora blueberry wine and blueberry ice wine were successfully bottled. It’s made purely with blueberries, no other fruit is added, in order to make it all about the bluebs (technical term) and to maintain a focus on keeping production sustainable, which is hugely important for the Long family in both the fruit growing and wine production. In 2019 the wine business was able to save 28 tonnes of blueberries from going to waste. They also work to create and conserve hedgerows, beetle banks, ponds and uncultivated land on the farm, and work with local beekeepers to introduce honey bees.

The only problem is, which of their delightful range to pop the cork on first: the medium dry Dusk, intense Midnight or sweet Ice Wine? We’ll grab a mixed case, of course. And did we mention they make fabulous cocktails? All available to buy from the Blue Aurora online store.

Visit blueaurorawine.co.uk