Behind the festival are the owners of Galleri Lofotens Hus, Gisle Jenssen Malnes and Ida Jenssen Malnes. The festival is organized in the premises of Galleri Lofotens Hus, in what is often referred to as Northern Norway’s National Gallery. Here you will find the country’s largest collection of paintings from Lofoten and Lofoten fishing around the turn of the last century.
– The gallery is located in idyllic surroundings on the quayside in Henningsvær. This is the perfect place to enjoy culture combined with gastronomy. Surrounded by magnificent art and beautiful lighting, we can guarantee an unforgettable and atmospheric experience, which will be completed with a rich selection of wines, food, music, courses and lectures spread over two days, says Gisle with a big smile.
It should not be on the program for the wine festival. Friday starts with a wine fair for companies, while from 19:00 a wine party is organized for everyone who has bought a ticket in the Gallery’s restaurant. Here you have the opportunity to drink good wines and enjoy good food prepared by chef Johan Petrini. A Wine Makers Dinner is also organized in the neighboring building, the Bryggehotellet, on both Friday and Saturday, where Johan Petrini gets a better 5-course dinner with wine that matches the dishes.
There will also be atmospheric music on the program as the Vågankoret Soul Savvy has been given the honor of opening the wine party on Friday. Later in the evening, you will also get a guest appearance by Jazzathlete, Håkon Skog Erlandsen on saxophone.
On Saturday is the official opening of the Lofoten Wine Festival. Then the exhibition floor opens to everyone at 13:00. During the day you have the opportunity to taste fantastic wines, beer, whiskey and, not least, good food. Wine courses with Gyri Mentzoni and whiskey courses with Myken Whiskey Distillery are also organized for those who are extra interested.
In the evening, there will again be a pleasant atmosphere and good mood with musical performances – both by the popular artist Ragna Gaustad and Kjell Andreassen, former vocalist in the popular band, Tysfjord Sang og Sement. There will also be the opportunity to enjoy delicious food in the wine festival’s restaurant, where lunch dishes are served from 12:00 to 17:30 and an evening menu from 18:30 to 23:00, both Friday and Saturday.
– As I said, this is the first time a wine festival has been organized in Lofoten, and we believe it is high time to make such an offer, as you can see that art and culture, food and wine are closely linked. The goal is for this to become a fixed annual event, and we hope and believe that this will be a very pleasant experience for those who have chosen to travel to Henningsvær and to Galleri Lofotens Hus to participate in the Lofoten Wine Festival, says organizer Ida Jenssen Malness.
Photo: Aurora Borealis Multimedia AS og Galleri Lofotens Hus
