Vidzeme

Overview

Vidzeme stretches across central and northeastern Latvia, blending rolling moraine hills, dense forests, and the deep Gauja River valley. Winters are colder than on the coast, but lakes, forests, and sheltered river slopes create valuable microclimates for small vineyards. The region is home to the Sabile Wine Hill, recognized as one of the world's northernmost commercial open-air vineyards.

White cold-hardy hybrids dominate here, with Solaris and Swenson White prized for their ability to ripen in short, cool summers. Fruit and berry winemaking is equally important, and producers around Cēsis and Sigulda ferment raspberries, rhubarb, and other local fruits into aromatic, acid-driven wines that reflect the region's forested terroir.

Key Varietals

• SolarisAn early-ripening, disease-resistant white hybrid prized for crisp, aromatic wines in short northern summers.
• Swenson WhiteA cold-hardy Minnesota-bred white grape that keeps bright acidity and delicate floral fruit in cool sites.
• RaspberryWild and cultivated raspberries are fermented into fragrant, vivid red berry wines around Cēsis and Sigulda.
• RhubarbForced and field rhubarb thrive in cool forest soils, giving tart, aromatic wines with a bright pink hue.