In just over 20 years, Swedish viticulture has gone from being a hobby to a commercially recognized player with wines that win international prizes and reputation – thanks to the hardy PIWI grapes.
Sweden has around 50 commercial vineyards and nearly 200 hectare under vines. The main grape is Solaris – roughly 80% – followed by Rondo; both established PIWI varieties.
PIWI is a long-term sustainable solution not only for Sweden; even in established wine countries, they realize that climate change requires new ideas and an open mind.
The association PIWI International, founded in 1999 – incidentally, the same year that Sweden became an official wine country according to the EU – is a platform for the exchange of experience and discussions, which with joint forces and strength can market these wines. For Sweden, viticulture has become an experienced industry and business of the future that can create jobs in the countryside.
The PIWI International Wine Challenge has become an internationally recognized competition, where Swedish wines are starting to take off. We are now launching a local chapter for Sweden to promote our wines on a larger scale, and collaborate on home ground.