Northernmost according to Guinness
L’Esprit d’Edvard Munch in Horten, Norway is listed by Guinness World Records as the world’s northernmost vineyard at 59°45’ N. The vineyard is described as roughly 0.5 hectares, planted in 1992 with around 2,000 Pinot Noir vines. The first wine was produced in 1995.
The Oslofjord effect: why grapes can ripen this far north
The site is described as a slope facing the Oslofjord, where the water helps moderate temperatures and reduces extreme swings during the growing season. The soils are described as moraine, with deep layers of sand and gravel shaped by glacial activity. In cool climates like this, site choice and heat retention become crucial.
Grapes, planting choices and “Nordic” growing methods
Sources connected to the vineyard describe Pinot Noir as the key grape, including Pinot Noir crossings/clones selected for earlier ripening. Cool-climate practices are also highlighted, such as protective covering in spring and autumn and very late harvest windows, sometimes stretching into November.
A tiny production that turned into a collector’s item
The best-known commercial vintages are often described as 1995–1999, with very small annual volumes. That scarcity, combined with a strong concept, helped the bottles gain collector status. In Norway, the wine was sold through Vinmonopolet and is now listed as discontinued, which further reinforces its rarity.
The Edvard Munch connection
The wine’s identity is closely tied to Edvard Munch and the local area, with labels featuring well-known Munch motifs. This link between place, art and limited production is a big part of why the wine became talked about beyond typical wine circles.
Corkframes-inspired idea: display the story
If you love wine culture as part of your home, this is an inspiring theme for a small “wine corner”: a Scandinavian wine map, a framed art print inspired by classic label design, and a short note about latitude, harvest dates and the unique fjord-side growing conditions. It’s a clean way to bring wine storytelling and design together.
