Northamptonshire’s newest winery invites tasters to enjoy its latest tipple as it is blessed by a monk at special open day

Award-winning Fortieth Rule, based in Wilby near Wellingborough, will be celebrating the arrival of ‘The Oblate’, its first oak-aged chardonnay, on Sunday (June 14) and will be joined by its very own monk, Father David, to bless the new addition to its every-growing offering.

Father David’s visit is a nod to the company’s tongue-in-cheek name, inspired by the Rule of St Benedict, which states that student monks should never read the ‘Fortieth Rule’ because it dictated the monastery’s strict alcohol consumption limit – something which was, in practice, completely ignored.

The boutique winery was the brainchild of Josh Atkinson, whose dream to create ‘fabulous’ English still wine was aided first by his sister Eleanor’s invaluable wine-making science skills thanks to her PhD in chemistry.

After producing two chardonnays for his own wedding with the help of his soon-to-be wife and brother-in-law, not to mention his mum with her own chemistry PhD and dad, the family-run firm turned to commercial production in 2023.

And having picked up silver and bronze awards at the 2025 Independent English Wine Awards, they are confident this new offering will be the perfect addition to its summer stable.

Josh said: “We use only the highest quality grapes from Essex and East Anglia to produce the best wine right here in Northamptonshire and now we’d like some local help in affirming our belief that this new chardonnay is as good as any of those from around the world.

“That’s why we’re inviting wine-lovers to join us this Sunday as Father David returns to bless the bottles and to celebrate the hard work that’s gone into the whole process, from growing the grapes to wax-sealing the corks.

“But don’t worry if you’re busy this weekend as we’ll make sure we have some left to enjoy when we re-open at the end of the month to mark English Wine Week."

Fortieth Rule’s open day at 111 Mears Ashby Road, Wilby, is on Sunday (June 14) from 1pm to 5pm, with the wine blessing at around 2.30pm.

Entry is strictly by free ticket only, which can be booked at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-oblate-release-and-blessing-of-wines-tickets-1989862370917?aff=oddtdtcreator&keep_tld=true

For more information, visit www.fortiethrule.com