Thora Vingård: Wines born from passion, curiosity and craftsmanship

Breaking the boundaries for Swedish winemaking, the talented team at Thora Vingård cultivates a biodiversity approach in harmony with the surroundings. With its premium wines grown organically and praised restaurant overlooking the vineyard, this is an excellent gastronomic destination in south Sweden.

On the beautiful Bjäre Peninsula in southwest Sweden, Thora Vingård produces premium wines. “This is a project born from passion. Our vision is to create the highest quality wines and elegant sparkling wines from locally grown grapes,” says Heather Öberg, who runs the vineyard with husband Johan. “Community, curiosity and craftsmanship are the driving forces behind the creation of our wines.”

In 2014, the couple bought a traditional farm located near Torekov and Båstad. With a dream of growing and making wine, the vineyard was established in 2015 with 300 Pinot Noir vines planted, and the first wine was released in 2021. The premium wines are ecologically certified, made with natural yeast and unfiltered, and are now available in around 70 restaurants across Sweden.

Biodiversity approach to winemaking

Thora Vingård cultivates a biodiversity approach, which allows the vineyard and the unique environment of Bjäre Peninsula to work in harmony. With its organic farming certification, the vineyard grows high-quality grapes while minimising the use of pesticides. The grapes are harvested by hand in late September, fermented and aged on Swedish and French oak barrels and stainless steel tanks.

The majority of the wine production in Sweden is focused on white and sparkling wines, however the mild climate and the constant sea breeze on the Bjäre Peninsula turn out to be suitable for making red wine too. “We were advised to use Solaris, a cold climate hybrid grape variety. But we love red wine, which is why we started with the Pinot Noir grape,” explains Heather. “Unlike most other vineyards in Sweden, we want to focus on traditional grape varieties. While not all of these varieties are yet mature enough to produce wine, our Pinot Noir has already proven to yield impressive results, thanks to our location and the dedication of our experienced winemakers.”

Today, Thora Vingård has some 53,000 vines including Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier, Gamay, Chardonnay and Chenin Blanc, as well as Solaris. “By harvesting the Solaris variety earlier, we achieve a balance that highlights its unique characteristics. This approach allows us to create wines that truly represent the essence of the Solaris grape and showcase its versatility.”

Elegant Pinot Noir and epic Solaris

Under the guidance of winemakers Romain Chichery and Emma Berto, the team at Thora Vingård continues to experiment with grape varieties, and has just planted a small amount of Malbec and Cabernet Franc in addition to more Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. “People might be surprised by our variety, but we want to offer something truly different,” adds Heather.

The feedback from professional winemakers and chefs has been fantastic. The elegant Pinot Noir 2022 is considered a symphony of red berries and delicate spices. Sourced solely from Pinot Noir grapes, this unfiltered wine experiences a dual aging journey; half ages in French oak barrels for 10 months, while the rest evolves in stainless steel tanks.

And the balanced Solaris Heritage 2022 stands as a testament to the potential of the Solaris grape. Winemaker Emma at Thora Vingård shares her thoughts; “Unfiltered and vinified to reflect our coastal terroir, this wine is the product of our unique environment. The bouquet, delicately floral, unfolds in a harmonious blend of flavours, where the texture on the palate, imbued with salinity, finishes with a hint of bitterness, offering a tasting experience that is both complex and refined.”

Photo: Cubea

Locally sourced cuisine at Flora

Overlooking the vines and the winery, Restaurang Flora has become a culinary destination in its own right, receiving praise for its sustainable concept and excellent service. Opened last summer, the restaurant is already mentioned in the 360 Eat Guide, awarded with two circles for sustainability.

Flora offers premium wines served with vibrant and creative dishes, prepared by experienced chef Tobias Millqvist and his team. “Our chef loves to work with ingredients sourced from local farmers, producers, and our surroundings, creating dishes that reflect his philosophy of locally based cuisine and also pair well with our own wines,” smiles Heather. “Flora has turned out to be a huge success, and we will continue our winemaking and gastronomic journey.”

Pinot Noir 2022.

Complementing the dining experience, Thora Vingård offers tutored tastings and educational tours, giving visitors a deeper connection to the land and its produce. From 1 June, guests will also be able to purchase wines directly from the wine boutique, as Sweden’s new law regarding farm sales of alcohol takes effect. Visitors can also enjoy honey from the farm’s thriving beehives and verjus, a juice extracted from unripe grapes that is perfect for mixing into salad vinaigrettes or used instead of lemon juice in cooking. The vineyard also hosts small, private events and is open nearly year-round, offering a welcoming experience for wine enthusiasts and visitors alike.

The new winery, completed in 2024, also houses Restaurang Flora, bringing the entire experience together under one roof. Looking ahead, Thora Vingård is set to begin exporting its wines in 2025.

Winemakers Romain Chichery and Emma Berto.

Web: www.thoravingard.com
Instagram: @thoravingard