Shaping Swedish Wines for Over 20 Years
With over two decades of dedication, Murat 'Murre' Sofrakis of Vingården i Klagshamn has been a key figure in Swedish winemaking. At a recent tasting, he shared the journey of his vineyard and his vision for the future of Nordic wines.
This article is part of a mini-serie focusing on Nordic wine and our Regional Danish & Swedish Wine Tasting. The event featured wines from Vejrhøj Vingård, By Stokkebye, Vingården i Klagshamn, Guldbæk Vingård, and Fruktstereo.
Vingården i Klagshamn: Shaping Swedish Wines for Over 20 Years
At the event, Vingården i Klagshamn was represented by one of its founders, Murat 'Murre' Sofrakis. I had never tried their wines before, so I was looking forward doing so.
Vingården i Klagshamn is actually not located very far from Copenhagen or no.2 where the tasting was held. Looking at my google map its actually only 38km away, its just off the Öresundsbridge on the swedish side of Öresund.
Murre & Lena founded Vingården i Klagshamn 2001. Photo: Vingården i Klagshamn website (CTTO)
“ In the beginning, we were five vineyards,” he recounted, “now we are around 400.””
Vingården i Klagshamn was founded in 2001. The first vines were planted that year, and the initial test harvest took place in 2003. By 2005, the vineyard began commercial wine production.
Murre shared his deep interest in wine and the founding of the Svenskt Vin association: "I have a great interest in wine and started the Svenskt Vin association, which works closely with its Danish counterpart. In the beginning, we were five vineyards," he recounted, "now we are around 400."
Over the years, Vingården i Klagshamn have guided and supported hundreds of Swedish vineyards in starting up and progressing on their vineyard journey.
Photo: Vingården i Klagshamn website (CTTO)
He continued, "Over the years, we have tested a few hundred different grape varieties and clones. Based on the results of these tests, we have chosen to work with a handful of varieties that have proven to be most suitable. Our constant goal is to create the very best wine from the varieties we consider suitable for the soil and climate here at Vingården i Klagshamn,"
Photo: Vingården i Klagshamn website (CTTO)
"We do as little as possible in the winemaking process," Murre explained, "but I constantly monitor the process. Sometimes the big difference is stirring three times and giving it a push in the right direction."
Murre also spoke about the biggest trend he sees and posed the question to me: "When does a white wine stop being white? And when does it become an orange wine? And when does a rosé stop being a rosé and become red?" He noted that the boundaries between categories are blurring, making them harder to distinguish.
