Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Romantic Getaways and Hidden Gems in Sweden
Wine from the north It had previously been very difficult to maintain a vineyard in the north, but during recent years, it has become possible to produce wine in Sweden. “Before we started the vineyard, we calculated where the ultimate place would be, and we found that the coast in the county of Skåne was the best. We bought a farm outside of Helsingborg and started in 2010,” says wine farmer Brita Norberg, who owns Frillestad Vingård together with her husband, Anders. By Hanna Andersson | Photos: Frillestad Vingård
Brita and Anders explain that it is hard work to start a vineyard, but after three years they could finally take their first harvest. “Our grapes are disease resistant, which eliminates all spraying with pesticides. We have four kinds of grapes: two green, Solaris and Johanniter; and two blue,
Bolero and Rondo, to produce four different kinds of wine,” explains Anders. “Visiting our farm is special. There is of course the traditional wine tasting, but we also host ‘be a wine farmer for a day’, where visitors get to work on the vineyard.” Summer is the busiest time of the year
as a wine farmer. “We are part of Vinvägen, Skåne’s own so-called ‘wine road’, with 20 vineyards. This summer, eight of us are hosting a wine fair at H55 in Helsingborg. On 19 July and 9 August, the public is welcome to taste our wines,” says Brita. “We would love to be able to sell our wines directly here at the farm, but the dream is to be featured at the Nobel Prize dinner. They always focus on Swedish food, so why not Swedish wine?” she laughs.
Web: www.frillestad.com Facebook: Frillestads Vingård Anders and Brita.
Cosy stay in the heart of Visby Once a Viking trading settlement and later a getaway for writers and artists, the island of Gotland is a hidden paradise in the Baltic Sea. Gotland’s only town, Visby, has plenty of hustle and bustle and yet is not far from the tranquillity of the seaside. Here, the friendliest place to stay is undoubtedly Hotel S:t Clemens. By Malin Norman | Photos: Hotel S:t Clemens
The charming town of Visby is a UNESCO World Heritage site, known for its cobblestone streets and well-preserved medieval city wall. In the heart of the town, near the cathedral and with the greenery of the Botanical Garden outside the windows, is Hotel S:t Clemens. The family-run hotel’s historical buildings, dating back to the 1600s, form a miniature version of the small houses and narrow alleys of the old town centre. The 30 cosy rooms have been individually decorated in retro style with floral wallpaper, and guests can enjoy two delightful gardens as well as access to the ruins of the medieval church of S:t Clemens. “Visby is a fantastic town, and its his62 | Issue 125 | June 2019
tory is so present even today,” says owner Menette von Schulman. “You can stroll along the cobblestone streets, look at the historic ruins and city wall, and enjoy the small-town atmosphere. It’s easy and friendly, and everything is close by.” The von Schulman family took over the hotel in 2007 and makes sure to protect its
great heritage and, of course, its reputation for fantastic customer service. In 2009, Hotel S:t Clemens became Gotland’s first environmentally friendly accommodation, and it has also been named one of Sweden’s top-ten best service hotels for several years running. “This is the real thing, the island life. We want to make sure our hotel can remain for another 400 years or so!”
Web: www.clemenshotell.se Facebook: clemenshotell Instagram: @clemenshotell