Grubbestad Gård wins agricultural award

The company receives the award for its pioneering work in Norwegian grape growing and wine production, and for helping to establish Vestfold as a national wine destination.

Grubbestad Gård produces, processes and sells quality products made from fruit and berries grown on the farm in Sandefjord. With 6,000 vines, the business produces wine using the traditional method. It also makes drinks from haskap berries and apples, and offers vineyard tours, wine tastings and a venue for meetings and events.

‘This award means so much to us and is a great recognition of the work we have put in over many years. It takes time to establish a vineyard, and we are proud to produce wine and other drinks with strong roots in Vestfold,’ say Cecilie Skjerven and Bjarne Kapstad Trollsås of Grubbestad Gård.

‘We look forward to developing the farm as a visitor destination, with a farm shop, food and drink, and more experiences. We will also continue to share our experience and help more Norwegian producers succeed in growing grapes and making wine,’ say the award winners.

An impressed jury

Since planting their first vines in 2018, Cecilie Skjerven and Bjarne Kapstad Trollsås have built up the vineyard step by step. Today, Grubbestad Gård is among the country’s largest producers of wine made from Norwegian-grown grapes. Its products have won numerous awards, and the business combines farming, processing and visitor experiences with a strong regional identity.

The jury particularly highlights the ability to create new opportunities for smaller farms in a changing climate. Grubbestad Gård shares its expertise with others looking to start growing grapes and making wine, offers production capacity and analysis services to producers across several counties, and has been a driving force behind the establishment of the Vestfold Winemakers’ Association.

The company takes a focused approach to sustainability and new technology. Together with the Norwegian Agricultural Advisory Service, Grubbestad Gård takes part in trials and development work, including a project exploring the use of drones and UVC light to detect diseases and reduce the need for fungicides.

‘Grubbestad Gård shows what is possible when expertise, courage and long-term commitment come together with the ability to think differently. Cecilie and Bjarne have not only developed an exciting business on their own farm, but also actively help build expertise and collaboration in Norway’s emerging wine industry. They are worthy winners of the Agricultural Business Development Award in Vestfold,’ says Anniken Fægri Damm-Larsen, Regional Director at Innovation Norway South.