Firstly, Aronia berries are like precious gems, each cradling a cluster of seeds wrapped in the nurturing embrace of their deep, dark pigments. These rich hues not only offer vibrant beauty but serve as a protective shield, safeguarding the seeds within and ensuring their journey of life can continue, adapting and regenerating with each generation!

Aronia, scientific name Aronia melanocarpa, is a deciduous perennial shrub, meaning it lives for more than two years and produces fruit seasonally after reaching maturity. As a hardy plant, it is well-adapted to diverse climates and soil types, making it resilient to harsh weather and disease. Aronia prefers having a cold winter season! The shrub typically grows 3 to 8 feet tall and is characterized by clusters of white flowers in spring, followed by dark purple-to-black berries in late summer to early fall.

As a perennial shrub, Aronia aligns well with regenerative agriculture principles by promoting soil health, reducing erosion, sequestering carbon and enhancing biodiversity through its deep-rooted, low-impact growth cycle.

And approach goes beyond regenerative farming to encompass holistic regeneration—fostering ecological balance, community wellness, and a sustainable relationship between people, plants, and the environment.

Aronia berries have a storied history. They were documented by Lewis and Clark during their expedition and were commonly used by Native Americans in pemican, a nutrient-dense food made from dried meat, fat, and berries for sustenance on long journeys.

These hardy, deep purple berries thrive on the hillsides around Viroqua, where we have been cultivating acres of Aronia for several years. Our team at Viroqua Aronia Company has mastered every step of the process—from propagation and cultivation to harvest, cleaning, and production.

Our artisanal approach involves a unique foliar feeding technique, where the leaves are carefully sprayed with a composted nutrient mix, enhancing the vitality of the plants. It’s a hands-on, end-to-end process, infused with love, care, and attention to detail.

People often enjoy a small amount of our Aronia juice daily. The berries are incredibly versatile—they go wonderfully in smoothies, granola, cereal, and as a culinary ingredient. We’ve had the pleasure of collaborating with celebrated chef Odessa Piper, incorporating Aronia into creative dishes like Rye Aronia brownies!

And it doesn’t stop there. We use the pressed Aronia berry pomace, dried into a pour-over Aronia coffee substitute—a bold and unique flavor, perfect over ice or as a base for sparkling beverages. It’s even found its way into cocktail mixers, adding a tart, flavorful twist.

At Viroqua Aronia Company, we’re proud to offer you the fruits of our labor—grown, harvested, and bottled right here in Viroqua. Taste the care, craftsmanship, and bold flavor in every sip!

From berry to bottle baby!