When I was growing up, viticulture in Sweden was not even a thought. Sweden certainly has a long tradition of fruit and berry wines – but growing wine from grapes up here in the north felt like an impossibility for a long time. Our grandparents probably never imagined that Sweden would one day be classified as a wine country.
But in the 90s, some determined pioneers began experimenting with growing wine in southern Sweden, and it turned out to be better than many had expected. With the help of hardy hybrid grapes from Germany and new technology, Sweden was officially recognized as a wine country in the EU in 1999. Today, wine is grown on about 150 hectares around the country – and the area is growing every year.
One of the most exciting places for viticulture is Kullahalvön in northwestern Skåne. The peninsula juts out like a sharp wedge into the sea, surrounded by the Kattegat, the Öresund and the Skälderviken. The sea acts as a natural temperature regulator – it evens out the seasons, protects against frost and allows the vines to ripen longer in the autumn. The fresh sea breeze constantly sweeps over the fields and keeps the grapes dry and free from mould. Here, summer lingers well into autumn, and winter often skips altogether. Conditions that have made Kullahalvön to one of Sweden's most concentrated areas for wine growing.
Swedish wine has made a real journey – both in terms of quantity and quality. Today, there is Swedish wine in Systembolaget's regular range, something that just a few decades ago would have seemed completely unthinkable. And in the summer of 2025, the big news came: the wineries were allowed to start with farm sales, as long as the visit is combined with a "knowledge-raising activity" such as a tour or tasting. It has become an unparalleled success. So popular, in fact, that some wines and vintages have already started to sell out – a rather pleasant problem that testifies to a growing interest in Swedish-produced and unique wines.
An important piece of the puzzle in the success of Swedish viticulture are the so-called PIWI grapes. The name comes from the German word Fungus-resistant – which in practice means “fungus resistant”. These are hardy grapes that can withstand cooler climates, are naturally resistant to mold and almost never need pesticides. In other words: exactly the types of grapes that make it possible for sustainable viticulture to thrive in our latitudes.
The grape that has perhaps come to symbolize Swedish wine the most is Solaris – a green grape that originally comes from Germany. Solaris ripens early, loves our Nordic climate and produces wines that are fresh, crisp and full of energy. Characteristics that are actually becoming harder and harder to find further south in Europe, where the hot summers of climate change are making the wines sweeter. One example is that southern England today has the same climate that Champagne had just fifty years ago – something that says a lot about how quickly the world is changing.
On Kullahalvön You can find Solaris at every vineyard, but it is far from the only grape that thrives here. Rondo, Cabernet Cortis, Muscaris, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Noir, Souvignier Gris, Donauriesling and Regent are some other names that reflect the experimental spirit that characterizes Skåne winegrowing. The result is exciting wines with international quality, but with a clear local identity.
Today there are around 40 established wine producers in Sweden, and three of the largest are located right here on Kullahalvön: Arilds Vineyard, Kullabergs Vineyard and Lottenlund EstateThat says a lot about what wine region this small, pointed peninsula in Skåne has actually become.
Kullabergs winery – internationally award-winning wines
Just north of Höganäs lies Kullabergs vingård – one of Sweden’s most award-winning wineries. Here, surrounded by its own vineyards, stands a beautiful half-timbered building that houses both a large winery and the cozy wine bar Skänken. This is the kind of place you always leave with a smile – the food is really good and always perfectly matched to the wines served, and the atmosphere is continental and relaxed.
Kullabergs winery began its commercial journey as recently as 2013, with a farm with one hectare of vines. Since then, the plantations have grown steadily and today they cover 22 hectares – and every year the farm takes further small steps forward with expanded and new locations on KullahalvönThe prestigious wine Immelen has received international attention and won several competitions and awards, while Askesäng has had the honor of being served at a royal dinner at the Royal Gastronomic Academy. This is clear proof of the high quality and passion that permeates the estate's wines.
Over 30 different grape varieties are grown at Kullabergs vineyard, but the ones most visible in the fields are the green Solaris, Souvignier Gris, Muscaris and Donauriesling, along with the blue Pinot Nova and Cabernet Noir. The newly built winery is not only shiny and aesthetically pleasing, but also has the capacity to produce up to 100 bottles a year – an important piece of the puzzle to meet the growing demand for their wines.
The farm is permeated by a circular mindset in everything they do. Solar panels power parts of the production, and the leftover grape pomace is used further – for example to make grappa. It feels like a place where sustainability and quality go hand in hand, without compromising on either taste or feel.
The vineyard walks are very popular, especially during high season, so it is wise to book in advance. During the walk you get to try three of the farm's wines, as well as one of their distillates. We have been here several times and each time it has been a slightly different wine that has been tested, but one wine is always included: the star wine Immelen. If you have never tasted Swedish wine before, this wine is really a taste start that sets the bar for what Skåne can deliver.
And if the weather isn't on your side, there's no need to worry – you can always settle down indoors at Skänken or in the cozy greenhouse, where the atmosphere is as warm as a sunny day.
During the height of summer, several tours are offered every day, but it is also fine to just sit in the garden under an apple tree with a cold drink in hand. During the fall, Skänken is open on Saturdays until the end of September, and the guided tours continue every Saturday until November.
There is a farm shop where you can buy the farm's wines, ciders and distillates - it is open in conjunction with participating in one of the knowledge-raising activities, such as tours or wine tastings.
Kullabergs Vineyard
Lyckerisvägen 52
Nyhamnslaege
Map
Arilds Vingård – family passion and brilliant bubbles
Arilds winery is just a short walk from Kullabergs winery and is the closest winery to us – a perfect place for an evening walk with the dog or when we want to celebrate something special, big or small. A place where you can just as easily settle down for a long dinner as you can stay overnight in a glamping tent or hotel room, if you want to prolong the feeling of being away even though you are close to home.
The vineyard is run by Jonas and Annette Ivarsson and the whole farm exudes passion and tenacity. The family bought the old farm from the 18th century in the mid-1990s, and when they found a forgotten vine on the farm, the idea was born that would change everything. In 2008 they planted their first hectare of vines and from there it has gone at lightning speed. Today Arilds winery is Sweden's largest vineyard, with just over 30 hectares in 2023. But given how quickly they have expanded in recent years, I guess the figure is closer to 40 hectares this year.
Glamping at Arilds winery is incredibly popular and perfect for those who want to wake up amidst the vines. In the restaurant's outdoor seating area, you sit on the first floor with a view of the sunset that slowly turns the wine fields golden. There is no need to book a table (unless you are a large group), you simply show up. It is spontaneous and undemanding – just like a summer evening should be. KullahalvönDogs are welcome and if you're lucky you'll even encounter the farm's dog – a friendly Golden Retriever.
The menu is as uncomplicated as it is welcoming, filled with classics that work for both young and old. It's food that fits into the environment – simple, tasty and of course goes well with the winery's own wines.
The fields are primarily planted with green grapes such as Solaris, Muscaris and Souvignier Gris, along with the blue Pinot Noir précoce and Cabernet Cortis. The Swedish climate, with its cool summers and long, bright days, gives the grapes a freshness and acidity that is hard to beat. This is most clearly evident in the vineyard’s lovely white sparkling wine, aptly named Bubbel, which is made using traditional methods. The vineyard’s goal is to make wine without conventional poisons and also without copper spraying (which is common in much of Europe).
On the large vineyard tour, you not only get a tour of the vines, but you also get to look into the beautiful wine cellar. As an added bonus, you get to taste wine straight from the tank down in the winery.
When we went on a guided tour, it was the owner Jonas himself who gave the tour. He mixed family stories with stories about the development of the vineyard, seasoned with both laughter and honesty. It was the kind of tour that you remember – not only for the knowledge about the wines and the cultivation, but for the feeling of being part of the family's dream that has become a reality. Because it really took both courage and a hefty dose of entrepreneurship to be one of the first to dare to invest in viticulture in Sweden.
During the summer you can book a vineyard tour, but if you book accommodation during the rest of the year you can always add the “vineyard package” which includes a tour and dinner with wine package. The restaurant is open every day during the summer and on limited days during spring and autumn.
There is a farm shop where you can buy the farm's wines and distillates - it is open in conjunction with participating in one of the knowledge-raising activities, such as tours or wine tastings.
Arild's vineyard
Lilla vägen 71
Arild
Map
Lottenlund Estate – Innovation in both cultivation and wine
Lottenlund Estate is located in Allerum, near Helsingborg, at the foot of the Kullahalvön. The farm is run by Tina Berthelsen, who, after a trip to a vineyard in Tuscany in 2010 with her husband, got the idea to start her own vineyard. Skåne might not have been the first place she thought of, but the family's ten hectares of land near the house in Allerum turned out to be perfect. In 2016, the first four hectares of vines were planted, and since then the farm has grown steadily.
We visited Lottenlund for the first time this summer, just after farm shops were allowed. We were greeted by chickens clucking, bees buzzing in their hives and apple trees laden with apples. Tina’s vision is about unique and innovative drinking experiences with the smallest possible environmental footprint – a balance between nature and production, tradition and innovation. The result is wines that feel internationally exciting, but with a distinct local twist.
All grapes on the farm are PIWI grapes: Solaris dominates, but there is also Muscaris, Souvignier Gris, Donauriesling, Cabernet Cortis, Monarch and Pinot Nova. Today, Lottenlund has around 45 vines spread over 000 hectares in Allerum and since 8 an additional 2019 hectares on the Bjäre peninsula, making the farm Sweden's sixth largest.
A tour with Tina is an energizing walk through the history of the farm, the grapes and the challenges of growing it. As with all viticulture, the weather plays a big role and Skåne's climate is almost too hot for the grapes in some years. The PIWI grapes are adept at storing sugar, which meant that the summer of 2023 was too hot and produced wines of 14%. In 2025, however, the spring was cold and the flowering was delayed – a completely different kind of challenge.
Lottenlund accepts booked visits for vineyard walks, wine tastings and spirit tastings (gin). The farm shop sells the farm's wines, gin and home-produced honey – perfect to take home as a taste of Skåne.
Lottenlund Estate
Lottenlundsvägen 2
All rooms
Map
Sweden's Tuscany
To call Kullahalvön because “Sweden’s Tuscany” is not just a slogan – you only have to drive around the countryside and visit the vineyards to realise that Skåne winegrowing is here to stay. The peninsula’s vineyards are gradually finding their identity and unique profile, and I wouldn’t be surprised if in fifty years Swedish wine has its own international classification and is considered its own wine region. Perhaps it is here, on the northern slopes of the Kattegat and Öresund, that Europe’s fresh white wines have their salvation and future.
