Gregor Alaküla and his mother, Tiina Kuuler, run Valgejõe Veinivilla, Estonia's northernmost winery. Gregor is also the founder of the Estonian Wine Trail, a network of Estonian family wineries that host guests and make wines from local ingredients.
Here are Gregor’s thoughts on Estonian winemaking, wine tourism in Estonia, and his latest venture, Estonian Wine Safari. Read on and you’ll be ready to plan a wine exploration of Estonia!
Is Estonia a winemaking country?
People don't think of Estonia as a wine country because they don’t believe it has a long viticultural history — but it actually stretches back more than 100 years. In the 1920s, the first two wineries were established: One was Põltsamaa, and the other was Luscher & Matiesen in Tallinn, on Toompea.
Traditionally, Estonian wines are made primarily from fruits and berries, but as the climate warms, local grapes are also being used, with very good results — and officially, wine must be made from grapes. For example, certain Estonian grape wines, including some from Valgejõe Veinivilla, have won international medals, including silver and bronze at the Paris Wine Cup, which is a huge achievement.
What types of grapes are grown in Estonia?
People don't think of Estonia as a wine country, but it is! In 2021, Estonia was officially named a wine-growing zone belonging to Zone A, the same as some parts of Northern Germany. Estonia grows mostly hybrid varieties that are more cold-hardy and can withstand the harsh Nordic climate.
What is a wine safari?
The Wine Safari is a day trip to three Estonian wineries on the North Estonian Wine Trail. Two to three people hop into a bright yellow Lada or a modern BMW; larger groups go on a bus. This is a great idea for a birthday celebration!
You’ll start in Tallinn, followed by a 45-minute ride to the family winery. There, you’ll take a tour, taste five or six wines, and have a lunch there prepared by Tiina, who is also a chef. Then there's another 45-minute drive to Aru Manor for a tour that includes tastings, a visit to the cellar, a talk about production, and a chance to taste their spirits. The last stop is at Habaja Distillery, also famous for its pizza, which is cooked outside in a clay pizza oven.
If you don’t have time for the full-day Wine Safari, you can have a bespoke wine tastings at Gergor's home garden in Tallinn, in Pirita.
When is a good time for people to come and visit Estonia’s wineries?
Some wineries are only open in the summer, but many are open year-round because they are family businesses. There's also plenty to do in the wintertime, for instance hosting a cozy Christmas party in a big hall or a cozy, candlelit dinner.
The southernmost winery in Estonia, Uue-Saaluse, offers a tasting together with a smoke sauna — which is even pictured on their wine label. Sauna culture is closely tied to Estonian heritage, and it's a nice way to discover two things at once: the wines and the sauna.
