Stavanger

Overview

Stavanger is better known as an energy and culinary hub than as a vineyard region, but its restaurants and wine bars have become an important showcase for Norwegian drinks. Nearby Ryfylke and the sheltered fjord arms supply coastal fruit farms and small cideries that feed the city's growing appetite for local produce.

The climate is temperate oceanic, with mild winters, cool summers, and frequent westerly rain. Raspberry, blackberry and apple wines dominate local production, while experimental growers test very early white hybrids such as Solaris on the most protected sites. Soils are mostly sandy coastal deposits, thin moraine and acidic peat.

Key Varietals

• RaspberryBerry wines from raspberries capture the maritime freshness of the southwest coast.
• AppleCoastal and fjord-side orchards supply crisp ciders and apple wines in the Stavanger region.
• SolarisA cold-hardy white hybrid that a few experimental growers trial on the most sheltered coastal sites.
• BlackberryWild and cultivated blackberries are fermented into tangy, aromatic fruit wines.