My paradise

For almost 10 years, I have lived a dual life. I have been growing grapes and I have made wine in Italy. At the same time, I have had a full-time job as a journalist in TV 2, Norway.  In January 2017, I took a big leap. I got a «package» leaving my job after 18 years. This gives me some more time and money to follow my «wine-dream».

In 2007, my husband Bjørn Roger Brevik and my then newborn son Sigurd and I bought what we thought was a holiday cabin in Italy. It was so much more. The cabin is surrounded by vines. We had no previous knowledge of winemaking, coming from a country far away from the region where grapes are grown. Fortunately, the former proprietor Pierluigi Fioravanti was more than willing to teach us and he did. Actually, I think he was afraid of letting two unexperienced Norwegians taking over his heritage. There was only problem, the wine was not always satisfying the Norwegian palate, and the wine did not travel very well. So, we sought knowledge of enology and winemaking both locally and outside. This lead us to trying new and different methods. We have built a new cantina, invested in new equipment, and managed our grapes with love and compassion.

Now, we are making both red wine and white wine based on local traditions but with modern equipment and knowledge.

Colorful «weeds» in the vineyard in the spring.

Our vineyard is in Acquapendente, in northern Lazio, a few kilometers from Tuscany. We overlook the Monte Rufeno and the Monte Amiata. The propriety has fortunately a fence around it. In the evenings there are wild boars and deer walking around. We can both hear and see them. Most of our neighbors live in the village of Acquapendente, so in the evenings we are all by ourselves.

Our white grapes are Trebbiano, Malvasia and Muscat.

Our red wine is made from Sangiovese.

We have grapes, fruit-trees, a little forest, as well as a plot of land for vegetables.

The vineyard is really peaceful. It is the place where I can feel the stress from my daily life in Norway just leave my shoulders. But there is always a lot to do. It is a job I do with great pleasure. But sometimes I need to work on myself not to make that stressful too, because unlike my neighbors, I still live in Oslo, Norway.

This is my paradise. This is where I prefer to be. Fortunately, I have been able to be here several times a year, often for longer periods of time.

Many people told me that they think it is impossible to combine, but I may tell them the opposite, it is possible to live in northern Europe and have little farm in the south.

And now, if you like, you are welcome to have a look at my paradise, seeing it from above!

http://https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zMd-JWt1LC4