Planting Solaris - and Waiting for Wine

Wine growing might still sound exotic in the Nordic countries, but in reality it has been quietly gaining ground for years. Sweden, in particular, now has a growing number of vineyards, thanks to hardy grape varieties developed to thrive in cooler climates.

That was inspiration enough for me to try something new in the garden. So, I decided to plant a modest row of seven vines in the garden. Not exactly a vineyard - but enough to explore what Nordic wine growing might look like on a small scale.

The choice of grape came naturally: Solaris.

Developed in Germany and now widely planted across Scandinavia, Solaris has proven to be one of the most reliable grapes for northern climates. It ripens early, tolerates cooler summers, and can produce aromatic wines with notes of citrus, elderflower, and ripe orchard fruit.

Planting the Vines

When the seven young plants were finally delivered, it felt like the beginning of a small Nordic vineyard.

They were planted in a straight row with generous spacing to allow good airflow and room for the vines to grow. Each plant was set carefully into the prepared soil, watered well, and supported so the young shoots could begin their climb.

Now the slow but rewarding process begins: training the vines, guiding them along wires, pruning them through the seasons, and patiently waiting for the first real harvest.

Wine making in the Nordics may still be a small and growing tradition — but perhaps that is exactly what makes it so exciting.