A business idea which has been fermenting for a number of years has fully matured recently in the shape of the UK's most northerly commercial winery.

The Orkney Wine Company grew from a hobby which was developed when Dutch husband and wife team Emile and Marjolein Van Schayk (correct) moved to Scotland six years ago. Amazingly, Mr Van Schayk only started making wine through a chance meeting with a retired shepherdess from Stranraer who passed on a wine making recipe to him in 1996.

After twice winning the home brew and wine competition of the Orkney Food and Drink Festival, Emile decided to make his hobby into a business. He now intends to produce a range of wines and liqueurs from converted premises at his base on the outskirts of Kirkwall, which along with modern production equipment has been assisted by Orkney Enterprise.

Mr Van Schayk has experimented with a wide range of flowers, fruit and vegetables prior to establishing the business to ascertain the best wines to produce. The business is set to create employment for both himself and two others.

The initial range of wines includes 10 varieties from cranberry, banana, elderflower and primrose to organic carrot, rosehip, parsnip and gorse. They will initially be marketed through local restaurants, hotels and retail outlets in Orkney.

Emile Van Schayk said: "As part of a market research exercise we have already undertaken a number of tasting events and received a very positive response. These tastings will be carried out more extensively once the winery is in full production.

"Several restaurant and shop owners have indicated their willingness to carry our wines which they are sure will prove very popular with locals and visitors alike. We also aim to produce bottles in gift packaging for the local retail market - something we believe will be popular, particularly with visitors to Orkney.

"Although we will initially be serving the local Orkney market, we hope to market our wines further afield in the near future and would therefore welcome any trade enquiries now so that we can gauge demand and provide information on our range."

Along with the costs of converting premises for the new operation, stainless steel wine vats and pipework have been purchased along with other various pieces of equipment for mechanical mixing, pumping, labelling, filling, corking and sterilising.

Orkney Enterprise helped towards the £51,100 costs with a grant package of assistance worth £17,900. The Orkney Islands Council Oil Reserve Fund provided a grant and loan package of £8,200 and the Highland Fund also approved a loan worth £6,000 towards the development.

Harvey Stevenson, a development manager with Orkney Enterprise said: "This is a great example of someone developing a keen interest in a hobby and having the foresight and vision to turn it into a business.

"The food and drink sector in Orkney has an impressive reputation around the world and businesses like this will add to the diversity of produce available from the area."

If you would like to find out more about the Orkney Wine Company, please contact Mr Van Schayk on 01856 871574.