From parcels of a mere 45 vines to full-production vineyards, Sweden has a growing wine scene. The thing is, you’ve got to be there to get a taste of them, as many of the wines aren’t exported to the U.S. These four vineyards are worth a visit for both their wines and hospitality offerings, and they’ll give you a real feel for the southern portion of the “Land of the Midnight Sun.”
On the southern end of the artistic island of Gotland, a summer getaway for Stockholmers, sits Gute Vingård. The winery is well known for Ädel, a sweet wine made from botrytized Solaris grapes. During the summer, tours are offered starting at $16, which includes tastings of two wines. The property also houses a hostel and a restaurant with outdoor dining.
If zip-lining and a spa visit are also on your agenda, Ästad Vingård on the southwest coast is the destination to visit. Wine tastings range from around $11 to $60 per person, depending on how many you sample and the tasting’s theme. Popular options include a wine and cheese tasting, a friendly wine tasting contest and a selection of sparkling wines. There’s a hotel and a few cottages on-site, too, so you can sip in total comfort.
In southeastern Sweden, Blaxsta Vingård cultivates 5,500 organic vines in Flen, producing Chardonnay, Merlot and more. Try its Åkerö apple ice wine, made when temperatures drop below 14˚F. In addition to winery tours (around $27) and tastings, Blaxsta Vingård offers cooking classes, hunting, fishing and golf, plus an onsite restaurant and a hotel that boasts saunas in many rooms.
Särtshöga Vingård in Väderstad, a short distance from Lake Vättern, offers farmland charm in a four-room bed-and-breakfast complete with wooden walls, whitewashed ceilings and all the rustic-luxe accessories you can imagine.
The cold-weather grape Solaris is a showcase here, but don’t pass up the sparkling wine, sparkling cider and apple ice wine, either.
Tastings start at $39 for a flight—perfect before dinner at the wood-fired pizza restaurant.
Published: June 3, 2019
