Orkney Wine Company, UK’s most northerly winery, is a small family winery run by Emile and Marjolein van Schayk. The van Schayk family moved to Orkney in 1997 from Kirkcolm near Stranraer where they lived for two years after moving from Holland. In Kirkcolm Emile van Schayk started making wine as a hobby after getting his first recipe from a retired shepherdess, Sarah Lenaghan.

The wines are made in a traditional way with fruit, flowers and vegetables, many locally grown in the clean island air.

The alcohol content is higher than that in grape wines, all by natural fermentation. Only the 18 Carat, the carrot-whisky wine is fortified. The majority of the wines are sulphur-free, alcohol is the preservative. No hang over with Orkney Wine! All wines are suitable for vegetarians. Once opened, the wines will keep for several weeks. Unopened they will keep for several years.