Bluenose Wines.

The Story behind Bluenose

I am from Nova Scotia originally, and Nova Scotia is home of the Bluenosers.

Bluenoses, a nickname for Nova Scotians, originated in the early settlement days. Bluenoses were already here when Loyalists arrived in “Nova Scarcity.” The Americans regarded the colony so cold and foggy that all would have blue noses.

About 1820 the Halifax Agricultural Society imported seed potatoes from Scotland. Among the batch were potatoes marked by being colored at each end with a deep blue tint. The potatoes were later exported to adjoining provinces and the New England states, where they were called Nova Scotia Bluenoses.

Bluenosers, a nautical distinction dating back to the early 1800s verified our significance as shipbuilders. Nova Scotian ships pioneered the Antarctic whaling industry and often had their bows painted blue from the water line to the chain plates. The color identified these sailors as Bluenoses.

A famous privateer is said to have had a blue cannon on her bow and was dubbed Bluenose.

The cold North Atlantic Seas have tempted the odd sailor to drink until his turned red, in most cases until his nose turned blue. At the same time, they were dyeing their noses blue by frequent nose wiping on their blue sleeves.

The famous Nova Scotian built “Bluenose I,” one of the finest fishing vessels ever launched, was given this name in recognition of its fine shipbuilders. The ship’s memory is commemorated in the “Bluenose II” and on the back of the Canadian 10 cent piece.

The original Blue Nose, represents the epitome of the natural and social history of Nova Scotia as a seafaring culture.