Ästad Vingård sits among the forests and lakes of Halland on Sweden’s west coast, combining a working vineyard with restaurants, accommodation, nature and one of Scandinavia’s more ambitious spa experiences. What began as a Swedish wine project has developed into a international destination in its own right, and a rather convincing example of just how far Nordic wine tourism has come.

Wine in Sweden?

Yes, and increasingly good wine at that.

Growing grapes this far north brings obvious challenges, from a short growing season to a climate that doesn’t always behave as a winemaker might wish. Ästad has built its vineyards around varieties suited to these conditions and has become one of the estates helping to establish Sweden as a serious, if still rather young, wine country.

Visitors can join guided vineyard tours and tastings to learn more about the wines, the varieties being grown and what it actually takes to run a vineyard at this latitude.

And there’s a spa?

Yes, quite a substantial one.

Sinnenas Spa is an important part of Ästad and one of the things that makes the estate unusual as a wine destination. Outdoor pools, saunas, warm baths and relaxation areas are integrated into the surrounding countryside rather than feeling like something added to the side of a hotel.

It also means that a travelling companion who isn’t quite as fascinated by fermentation temperatures as you are has a very good alternative.

What about the food?

This is where Ästad becomes considerably more serious.

The estate is home to Restaurant Logen and Restaurant ÄNG, with ÄNG holding a Michelin star. The cooking focuses heavily on seasonal ingredients and produce connected to the surrounding landscape, with modern Nordic techniques and presentation.

Wine naturally plays an important role, and the pairings provide an interesting opportunity to experience Swedish wines alongside the sort of food they were effectively born next to.

Can I stay?

Yes, and staying overnight makes quite a lot of sense here.

Accommodation is spread across the estate, allowing a vineyard visit to become a full weekend of wine, dinner, spa and countryside. It also removes the perennial problem of wine tourism: deciding who gets the car keys after the tasting.

For couples where only one person is deeply interested in wine, Ästad is particularly clever. It doesn’t require both of you to spend an entire weekend discussing grapes to justify the trip.

What else is there to do?

The Halland countryside is a substantial part of the experience.

Walking trails lead through forests, around lakes and across open countryside, with opportunities for cycling and wildlife watching as well. The neighbouring nature reserve makes it easy to spend a few hours away from the restaurants and tasting rooms and see more of the landscape surrounding the vineyard.

Ästad changes considerably with the seasons too, giving the estate a very different character depending on when you visit.

Why put Ästad vingård on the map?

Because Ästad doesn’t feel like a Scandinavian attempt to recreate a French or Italian wine estate.

It has developed around things this part of the world already does particularly well: nature, design, food and wellness.. with wine at the centre of it all.

That makes Ästad interesting even before you consider the novelty of walking through a commercial vineyard in Sweden. For someone curious about where Scandinavian wine is heading, it’s one of the more complete places to start.