{"id":1957,"date":"2025-10-05T19:09:33","date_gmt":"2025-10-05T16:09:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/veinitee.ee\/tuscan-vibes-in-estonia\/"},"modified":"2025-10-13T21:49:51","modified_gmt":"2025-10-13T18:49:51","slug":"tuscan-vibes-in-estonia","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/veinitee.ee\/en\/tuscan-vibes-in-estonia\/","title":{"rendered":"Tuscan Vibes in Estonia"},"content":{"rendered":"[av_codeblock wrapper_element='' wrapper_element_attributes='' codeblock_type='' alb_description='' id='' custom_class='' template_class='' av_uid='' sc_version='1.0']\r\n[sc_post_date]\r\n[\/av_codeblock]\r\n\r\n[av_codeblock wrapper_element='' wrapper_element_attributes='' codeblock_type='' alb_description='' id='' custom_class='' template_class='' av_uid='' sc_version='1.0']\r\n[sc_post_title]\r\n[\/av_codeblock]\n<div  class='hr av-5ik3jf-bc345a7c35b96807fd730763b9d268e5 hr-default  avia-builder-el-1  el_after_av_custom_layout  el_before_av_hr  avia-builder-el-first '><span class='hr-inner '><span class=\"hr-inner-style\"><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n\n<style type=\"text\/css\" data-created_by=\"avia_inline_auto\" id=\"style-css-av-9ke033-a8f4b869543ec21ae03db1856313f781\">\n#top .hr.hr-invisible.av-9ke033-a8f4b869543ec21ae03db1856313f781{\nheight:20px;\n}\n<\/style>\n<div  class='hr av-9ke033-a8f4b869543ec21ae03db1856313f781 hr-invisible  avia-builder-el-2  el_after_av_hr  el_before_av_textblock '><span class='hr-inner '><span class=\"hr-inner-style\"><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<section  class='av_textblock_section av-jy9en-c077fbcb3dca4b4cfb43dafdfbb27e1f '   itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/BlogPosting\" itemprop=\"blogPost\" ><div class='avia_textblock'  itemprop=\"text\" ><h4 style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Latvian journalist and blogger Solveiga Kalva visited Southern Estonian wineries at the Season&#8217;s Opening event: &#8220;Picturesque hills draped with vineyards, winding country roads, wood-fired pizzas and sparkling drinks. Sounds like Tuscany? Possibly. But it turns out you can catch similar scenes\u2014and an unmistakably Italian mood\u2014in southern Estonia too. Each year an Estonian Wine Trail season-opening event is held, during which all the wineries on the route throw open their doors, courtyards and cellars, offering tastings, tours and other activities. As luck would have it, I ended up in the epicentre of this event and set off to chase Tuscan sunshine with our northern neighbours.&#8221;<\/h4>\n<\/div><\/section>\n\n<style type=\"text\/css\" data-created_by=\"avia_inline_auto\" id=\"style-css-av-3sd5or-0fa00d47bc51d63db6120ba2852fc828\">\n#top .hr.hr-invisible.av-3sd5or-0fa00d47bc51d63db6120ba2852fc828{\nheight:20px;\n}\n<\/style>\n<div  class='hr av-3sd5or-0fa00d47bc51d63db6120ba2852fc828 hr-invisible  avia-builder-el-4  el_after_av_textblock  el_before_av_textblock '><span class='hr-inner '><span class=\"hr-inner-style\"><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<section  class='av_textblock_section av-mdfrrw2f-2b8a03689fba69da5ea951ba8bff374c '   itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/BlogPosting\" itemprop=\"blogPost\" ><div class='avia_textblock'  itemprop=\"text\" ><h4 style=\"font-weight: 400;\">J\u00e4riste Veinitalu &#8211; la dolce vita, italian style<\/h4>\n<p data-start=\"710\" data-end=\"1304\">Right by the roadside, travellers are cheerfully greeted by the historic tavern building of Luke Manor, which still partly serves its former function even today. The solid fieldstone house is home to the J\u00e4riste winery, inviting passers-by to explore Estonia\u2019s slowly blossoming wine culture, stroll through gardens and greenhouses, unwind in the calm of the countryside, bite into a pizza worthy of an Italian chef and taste a local brew. In summer, luxuriant vines pleasantly shade the terrace overlooking the expanses of the garden, but for now that view has to be imagined\u2014the vines are still waiting for warmer weather.  <\/p>\n<p data-start=\"1306\" data-end=\"2057\">J\u00e4riste makes wine not only from berries and fruits familiar to our latitudes but also from its own grapes. Cold-hardy varieties grow outdoors, while the fussier ones live in greenhouses. Although winemaking began a few years ago as a hobby, the owner approaches the craft with such scientific rigour that winemakers from all over Estonia come to consult him. Medals earned at wine competitions also show that the J\u00e4riste team truly are masters of their trade. Together with the hostess Kristel we wander through the greenhouses, orchards and the winery itself. In one greenhouse, an apricot tree shyly hides among the vines. It doesn\u2019t bear fruit yet, but one day it will surely bless them with sweet, juicy apricots.      <\/p>\n<p data-start=\"2059\" data-end=\"2832\">In the garden, beneath a blossoming fruit tree, a small table set with J\u00e4riste wine and glasses sparkles in the spring sun. The tablecloth flaps madly in the wind; in the white cloud of flowers, bees buzz and hum so intensely the air around the tree practically vibrates. Rural idyll indeed. Kristel opens several bottles; the most unusual\u2014and the most pleasing to my taste buds\u2014is a strawberry\u2013blackcurrant wine. Perhaps because I\u2019d never tried that flavour pairing before, or perhaps because it was the first wine I tasted. The hostess explains that strawberry wine is a rarity in the berry-wine world, as it\u2019s relatively tricky to make\u2014the drink tends to develop an unattractive brownish tint over time. J\u00e4riste has solved the problem by adding blackcurrants, which keep the colour vividly luscious.      <\/p>\n<p data-start=\"2834\" data-end=\"3476\">While I was exploring J\u00e4riste\u2019s behind-the-scenes with Kristel, her husband was busy at the pizza oven\u2014an Italian-made oven that travelled to Estonia from the very homeland of pizza. The aroma is irresistibly tempting; it\u2019s hard to wait even a moment for it to cool. Puffy dough with the smoky note only a wood-fired oven can give, a little tomato sauce, a touch of salami, a few wisps of cheese, olives, and\u2014unexpectedly, in a very Estonian twist\u2014garlic. The pizza is superb: simple, austere and absolutely Italian. Well, apart from the Nordic garlic which, by the way, suits the flavour ensemble beautifully.      <\/p>\n<p data-start=\"3478\" data-end=\"3609\">Here I truly feel like I\u2019m in Italy. The calm courtyard and blossoming fruit trees simply invite you to relax, enjoy nature and pamper your palate. <\/p>\n<\/div><\/section>\n\n<style type=\"text\/css\" data-created_by=\"avia_inline_auto\" id=\"style-css-av-mdfs9lq8-8e7f4f64d3eccacabd2fbf880946df62\">\n.avia-image-container.av-mdfs9lq8-8e7f4f64d3eccacabd2fbf880946df62 img.avia_image{\nbox-shadow:none;\n}\n.avia-image-container.av-mdfs9lq8-8e7f4f64d3eccacabd2fbf880946df62 .av-image-caption-overlay-center{\ncolor:#ffffff;\n}\n<\/style>\n<div  class='avia-image-container av-mdfs9lq8-8e7f4f64d3eccacabd2fbf880946df62 av-styling- avia-align-center  avia-builder-el-6  el_after_av_textblock  el_before_av_textblock '   itemprop=\"image\" itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/ImageObject\" ><div class=\"avia-image-container-inner\"><div class=\"avia-image-overlay-wrap\"><img decoding=\"async\" fetchpriority=\"high\" class='wp-image-1941 avia-img-lazy-loading-not-1941 avia_image ' src=\"https:\/\/veinitee.ee\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/1_Jariste-12.JPG-1030x687.jpg\" alt='' title='1_Jariste (12).JPG'  height=\"687\" width=\"1030\"  itemprop=\"thumbnailUrl\" srcset=\"https:\/\/veinitee.ee\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/1_Jariste-12.JPG-1030x687.jpg 1030w, https:\/\/veinitee.ee\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/1_Jariste-12.JPG-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/veinitee.ee\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/1_Jariste-12.JPG-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/veinitee.ee\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/1_Jariste-12.JPG-705x470.jpg 705w, https:\/\/veinitee.ee\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/1_Jariste-12.JPG.jpg 1500w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1030px) 100vw, 1030px\" \/><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<section  class='av_textblock_section av-mdfruhf5-59603dc75ecce1b86b4f6b1c331b646c '   itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/BlogPosting\" itemprop=\"blogPost\" ><div class='avia_textblock'  itemprop=\"text\" ><h4 style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A wineyard, inspired by a dog<\/h4>\n<p data-start=\"3643\" data-end=\"4173\">Scenic roads continue to wind across South Estonia, taking us to a place so picturesque it\u2019s hard to imagine anything more so. At the highest point of valleys carved by ancient glaciers stands the Murim\u00e4e winery and its terrace restaurant; vines bristle on the steep slope, while down in the hollow the waters of Lake Nahaj\u00e4rve gleam mysteriously. The lake stretches so long it looks like a river from afar\u2014and I\u2019m not far off: ten lakes lie side by side in the area, connected by a small stream, and Nahaj\u00e4rve is one of them. This pretty group of lakes is popular with paddlers who string them into an adventurous necklace like pearls.    <\/p>\n<p data-start=\"4175\" data-end=\"5325\">No sooner do I step out of the car than a Labrador-like dog named Muri comes bounding over. The hostess Janika laughs: \u201cI know, I know\u2014Latvians think Muri is a cat\u2019s name, but for us it\u2019s a dog\u2019s!\u201d This is the second Muri in a row to greet Murim\u00e4e guests with a wagging tail. The first Muri now roams other hunting grounds, but the winery is named in his honour, and his snout adorns bottles, glasses, barrels\u2014anything bearing the Murim\u00e4e logo. It turns out that first Muri actually inspired the owners to grow grapes. Initially they bought the scenic property as a summer retreat from city bustle. On a lark, Janika planted a single vine. Not an hour passed before Muri had thoroughly nibbled it and buried pieces of it elsewhere. Janika thought that was the end of the vine\u2014but quite the opposite happened. The chewed plant grew vigorously, and new vines sprouted where Muri had tucked the cuttings into the soil. The owners decided that if even a dog could propagate vines so successfully, why couldn\u2019t they? And so Estonia\u2019s first terraced vineyard\u2014and Murim\u00e4e winery\u2014came to be. Looking at the vine-covered slope, I feel a bit like I\u2019m in the Sabile Wine Garden in Latvia.           <\/p>\n<p data-start=\"5327\" data-end=\"5929\">The enterprising Estonians grow not only grape varieties suited to the northern climate but also chokeberries (aronia), rhubarb, rowan, apples, cherries and gooseberries, while other fruits and berries are sourced from local suppliers. While the gardens are quiet today, the restaurant and terrace are buzzing\u2014tempting cakes and pastries line up on the counter, a large pan sizzles with a main course, and the staff make ready for the tide of people set to flood Murim\u00e4e in the coming hours. They\u2019re used to crowds, as they regularly host concerts, refined culinary events with top Estonian chefs and other delights for gourmands and life-enjoyers.  <\/p>\n<p data-start=\"5931\" data-end=\"6437\">We sit down to a table laid with a generous platter of cheeses, nuts, fruit, freshly baked bread and homemade pesto. Our glasses fizz with both Murim\u00e4e\u2019s quince lemonade\u2014where a smiling Muri grins from the label\u2014and sparkling wine. The sun is warm and a breeze gently ruffles hair. Guests can also try Estonia\u2019s only wine-tasting machine: buy a voucher at the till, feed it into the machine, then choose both the drink and the amount\u2014from a couple of sips to a full glass.   <\/p>\n<\/div><\/section>\n\n<style type=\"text\/css\" data-created_by=\"avia_inline_auto\" id=\"style-css-av-mdfs7cso-2e49c6151106642b0787045869eab232\">\n.avia-image-container.av-mdfs7cso-2e49c6151106642b0787045869eab232 img.avia_image{\nbox-shadow:none;\n}\n.avia-image-container.av-mdfs7cso-2e49c6151106642b0787045869eab232 .av-image-caption-overlay-center{\ncolor:#ffffff;\n}\n<\/style>\n<div  class='avia-image-container av-mdfs7cso-2e49c6151106642b0787045869eab232 av-styling- avia-align-center  avia-builder-el-8  el_after_av_textblock  el_before_av_textblock '   itemprop=\"image\" itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/ImageObject\" ><div class=\"avia-image-container-inner\"><div class=\"avia-image-overlay-wrap\"><img decoding=\"async\" fetchpriority=\"high\" class='wp-image-1943 avia-img-lazy-loading-not-1943 avia_image ' src=\"https:\/\/veinitee.ee\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/2_Murimae-1.JPG-1030x687.jpg\" alt='' title='2_Murimae (1).JPG'  height=\"687\" width=\"1030\"  itemprop=\"thumbnailUrl\" srcset=\"https:\/\/veinitee.ee\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/2_Murimae-1.JPG-1030x687.jpg 1030w, https:\/\/veinitee.ee\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/2_Murimae-1.JPG-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/veinitee.ee\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/2_Murimae-1.JPG-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/veinitee.ee\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/2_Murimae-1.JPG-705x470.jpg 705w, https:\/\/veinitee.ee\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/2_Murimae-1.JPG.jpg 1500w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1030px) 100vw, 1030px\" \/><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<section  class='av_textblock_section av-mdfrwyh5-1df1f8e8f4e1b4cbe6bd560dcbd541b7 '   itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/BlogPosting\" itemprop=\"blogPost\" ><div class='avia_textblock'  itemprop=\"text\" ><h4 style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Uue-Saaluse: do it now!<\/h4>\n<p data-start=\"6459\" data-end=\"7000\">By the time we drive into the courtyard of the Uue-Saaluse winery, the Wine Route season-opening event is in full swing. People are merrily tasting; a tour group has just finished their visit; the sun glints on yet another little lake\u2014Lake Alaj\u00e4rv. Not far away you\u2019ll also find Kavadi Lake, along which runs a slightly wild but well-maintained hiking trail\u2014worth noting if, during your exploration of Estonia\u2019s \u201cTuscany,\u201d you get the urge to stretch your legs. South Estonia is lake after lake, so for a moment I feel as if I\u2019ve arrived in Latgale, Latvia\u2019s \u201cland of blue lakes.\u201d   <\/p>\n<p data-start=\"7002\" data-end=\"7491\">When the next tour group sets off, we join them. The winery is housed in the former workers\u2019 residence of the Uue-Saaluse manor. The ruins of the manor\u2019s main house can be seen on a pretty hill by Kavadi Lake, but that calls for a hike; this time we make do with the workers\u2019 building and the winery\u2014there\u2019s plenty of interest here too. The Uue-Saaluse owners bought the property in the 1990s and initially grew sea buckthorn, later turning to grape cultivation as well.     <\/p>\n<p data-start=\"7493\" data-end=\"8174\">Grapevine growing and winemaking began as a hobby for their own pleasure and later became a full-time occupation. Though they draw inspiration from many places and events, it\u2019s nice to hear that one motivator was Latvia\u2019s Sabile Wine Festival. The hostess Marisa, a biologist by training, worked for years in a stable position in environmental education and only at fifty decided to radically change her life and devote herself to wine. She\u2019s still delighted with that bold step and keeps learning\u2014both the fine points of oenology and the digital skills needed to keep up with the times. After the tour she tells me, \u201cIf you want to do what you love in life, do it now\u2014don\u2019t wait!\u201d    <\/p>\n<p data-start=\"8176\" data-end=\"8421\">At one point Marisa brings out a month-old puppy and explains that the puppy\u2019s mother, Guna, was named after a Latvian grape variety, \u2018Guna\u2019. Following tradition, the puppies will also be given grape-variety names. You can feel that the world of grapes truly is Marisa\u2019s great passion.  <\/p>\n<p data-start=\"8423\" data-end=\"8881\">As part of the event, a blind tasting is held. Three Uue-Saaluse bottles stand on the table, hidden in black sleeves. I pour a small sip of each and try to guess what they are. My guess: quince, rowan and aronia. Later it turns out I wasn\u2019t far off\u2014the first was quince-apple wine, the second rowan-apple, the third aronia-blackcurrant. Understandably, the strong flavours of quince, rowan and aronia overshadowed the apples and blackcurrants.     <\/p>\n<p data-start=\"8883\" data-end=\"9314\">Although Uue-Saaluse\u2019s main products are fruit, berry and grape wines\u2014especially popular with buyers is a white made from Solaris grapes\u2014their iced tea has also won many hearts. It\u2019s made from fermented sea-buckthorn leaves with rhubarb and mint. The iced tea usually sells out fast and isn\u2019t always available to taste. For example, today I don\u2019t get to try it. A pity!    <\/p>\n<p data-start=\"9316\" data-end=\"9699\">We sit on the outdoor terrace, enjoy the view of the lake and the little sauna\u2014both of which appear on Uue-Saaluse\u2019s labels\u2014and treat ourselves to waffles baked by the neighbours and wild-garlic mayonnaise, sipping cowslip tea that suits spring so well. At one point the chef joins us and shares that in her free time she dances with the Veclaicene folk group and even took part with them in Latvia\u2019s Song and Dance Festival. How about that!  <\/p>\n<\/div><\/section>\n\n<style type=\"text\/css\" data-created_by=\"avia_inline_auto\" id=\"style-css-av-mdfs7ku6-76daeb49c9230e81fc35b6584fa31e38\">\n.avia-image-container.av-mdfs7ku6-76daeb49c9230e81fc35b6584fa31e38 img.avia_image{\nbox-shadow:none;\n}\n.avia-image-container.av-mdfs7ku6-76daeb49c9230e81fc35b6584fa31e38 .av-image-caption-overlay-center{\ncolor:#ffffff;\n}\n<\/style>\n<div  class='avia-image-container av-mdfs7ku6-76daeb49c9230e81fc35b6584fa31e38 av-styling- avia-align-center  avia-builder-el-10  el_after_av_textblock  el_before_av_textblock '   itemprop=\"image\" itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/ImageObject\" ><div class=\"avia-image-container-inner\"><div class=\"avia-image-overlay-wrap\"><img decoding=\"async\" fetchpriority=\"high\" class='wp-image-1945 avia-img-lazy-loading-not-1945 avia_image ' src=\"https:\/\/veinitee.ee\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/3_Uue-Saaluse-2.JPG-1030x687.jpg\" alt='' title='3_Uue Saaluse (2).JPG'  height=\"687\" width=\"1030\"  itemprop=\"thumbnailUrl\" srcset=\"https:\/\/veinitee.ee\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/3_Uue-Saaluse-2.JPG-1030x687.jpg 1030w, https:\/\/veinitee.ee\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/3_Uue-Saaluse-2.JPG-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/veinitee.ee\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/3_Uue-Saaluse-2.JPG-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/veinitee.ee\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/3_Uue-Saaluse-2.JPG-705x470.jpg 705w, https:\/\/veinitee.ee\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/3_Uue-Saaluse-2.JPG.jpg 1500w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1030px) 100vw, 1030px\" \/><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<section  class='av_textblock_section av-mdfry5uy-22e0d20811c12a178493076d759d7d97 '   itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/BlogPosting\" itemprop=\"blogPost\" ><div class='avia_textblock'  itemprop=\"text\" ><h4 style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Allikukivi &#8211; the first wine manor in Estonia<\/h4>\n<p data-start=\"9729\" data-end=\"10013\">Festivities are in full swing at Allikukivi Manor, built of red brick. People sit happily on the terrace, sipping drinks, nibbling cakes and soaking up the evening sun. Erected in the mid-19th century, the manor stands proudly in the middle of a park and rejoices in the crowd of guests, lively conversations and a lovely evening.  19. The manor, built in the middle of the century, stands with dignity in the heart of the park and delights in the abundance of guests, lively conversations, and the pleasant evening.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"10015\" data-end=\"10353\">The owners of Allikukivi call themselves Estonia\u2019s first wine manor. In truly Italian fashion the whole family is involved: the wife is responsible for winemaking, the husband has trained as a pastry chef and bakes wonderfully delicious cakes, and their son Ott has qualified as a sommelier and is actively involved in the family business, doing whatever needs doing. <\/p>\n<p data-start=\"10355\" data-end=\"11069\">Though the manor looks grand from the outside, the interior was irreparably damaged in Soviet times. As in many manors in both Estonia and Latvia, a school operated here, with all the consequences that brings. Showing the ground-floor hall\u2014where court-line markings are still visible on the floor, climbing bars stand against the wall and the lights are caged\u2014Ott jokes, \u201cYou could ride a bike or rollerblade in here!\u201d The owners began the interior work by restoring the wine cellars, and their future vision includes returning the entire manor to glory. Slow and steady wins the race. For now, visitors can see the cellars, the garden plantings and the park\u2019s walking paths; in summer there are also glamping tents and open-air concerts.    <\/p>\n<p data-start=\"11071\" data-end=\"11488\">Alongside the park stretch berry-bush plantations growing most of what\u2019s needed for their wines. Ott proudly shows off green blackcurrants brought from Finland\u2014recently a real fashion trend in Estonia. We take a short loop through the park. Pointing to a huge burl, Ott jokes, \u201cThat\u2019s our local troll or gorilla\u2014depends on what you see!\u201d To my eye it looks like a gorilla hugging a tree.    <\/p>\n<p data-start=\"11490\" data-end=\"12114\">Afterwards we reach the manor\u2019s wine cellars, where the finished drink rests in wooden barrels, metal tanks and bottles. Much of the process here is done by hand. Ott quips that after several hours of corking sparkling wine bottles there\u2019s no need to hit the gym\u2014the manual device used for the job demands serious strength and energy. He boasts that their sparkling wines are made by the original Champagne method: juice and yeast go into the bottle, which is then placed neck-down in a special riddling rack. The bottles must be turned daily until all the yeast collects at the cork. Later, with a quick freeze, the deposit can be expelled and\u2014voil\u00e0\u2014the sparkling wine is ready.     <\/p>\n<p data-start=\"12116\" data-end=\"12584\">When the tour ends, we of course don\u2019t escape a tasting. I ask Ott what sets Allikukivi\u2019s wines apart from others made in Estonia. He replies, \u201cWe don\u2019t mix flavours. If it\u2019s lingonberry wine, it\u2019s lingonberry wine. If it\u2019s rhubarb wine, it\u2019s rhubarb wine.\u201d In his experience, Estonians\u2019 favourites are lingonberry, blackcurrant, aronia and rhubarb. On lingonberry I agree\u2014it tastes like sunrise in a bog. But for me, the highlight of the tasting is the marzipan cake baked by Ott\u2019s father. Exquisitely delicious!      <\/p>\n<\/div><\/section>\n\n<style type=\"text\/css\" data-created_by=\"avia_inline_auto\" id=\"style-css-av-mdfrt8gp-8995fce5c2bc5980824bbce3b88b467d\">\n.avia-image-container.av-mdfrt8gp-8995fce5c2bc5980824bbce3b88b467d img.avia_image{\nbox-shadow:none;\n}\n.avia-image-container.av-mdfrt8gp-8995fce5c2bc5980824bbce3b88b467d .av-image-caption-overlay-center{\ncolor:#ffffff;\n}\n<\/style>\n<div  class='avia-image-container av-mdfrt8gp-8995fce5c2bc5980824bbce3b88b467d av-styling- avia-align-center  avia-builder-el-12  el_after_av_textblock  el_before_av_textblock '   itemprop=\"image\" itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/ImageObject\" ><div class=\"avia-image-container-inner\"><div class=\"avia-image-overlay-wrap\"><img decoding=\"async\" fetchpriority=\"high\" class='wp-image-1947 avia-img-lazy-loading-not-1947 avia_image ' src=\"https:\/\/veinitee.ee\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/4_Allikukivi-7.JPG-1030x687.jpg\" alt='' title='4_Allikukivi (7).JPG'  height=\"687\" width=\"1030\"  itemprop=\"thumbnailUrl\" srcset=\"https:\/\/veinitee.ee\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/4_Allikukivi-7.JPG-1030x687.jpg 1030w, https:\/\/veinitee.ee\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/4_Allikukivi-7.JPG-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/veinitee.ee\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/4_Allikukivi-7.JPG-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/veinitee.ee\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/4_Allikukivi-7.JPG-705x470.jpg 705w, https:\/\/veinitee.ee\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/4_Allikukivi-7.JPG.jpg 1500w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1030px) 100vw, 1030px\" \/><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<section  class='av_textblock_section av-mdfrz3sy-6e739bf563a29170f80a5608ddecb1f1 '   itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/BlogPosting\" itemprop=\"blogPost\" ><div class='avia_textblock'  itemprop=\"text\" ><h4 style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Langemaa &#8211; following the President&#8217;s footsteps<\/h4>\n<p data-start=\"12609\" data-end=\"13245\">Our final stop on today\u2019s \u201cEstonian Tuscany\u201d route is the Langemaa winery. The sun is heading for the horizon; we\u2019re a bit tired, and so are the hosts. This winery, too, began as a hobby. Look how Estonians know how to turn hobbies into full-time work! Since the wines the owner Priit made at home were a hit with friends, he decided to enter a competition. After receiving a high distinction and professional recognition, he began to think he should take winemaking more seriously. Said and done. An engineer by training, he blends a technological mindset with knowledge gathered in major wine countries and a creative approach.       <\/p>\n<p data-start=\"13247\" data-end=\"13754\">On the Langemaa grounds, Priit\u2019s ancestors\u2019 apple orchards have stretched since long ago; when he turned to winemaking, he added thousands of blackcurrant, quince and aronia bushes. Honeysuckle has also been planted recently. Priit explains that honeysuckle berries make a wine with a very pleasant, gentle flavour. We stroll through the spacious grounds, where there are not only plantings but also educational panels\u2014handy when a big tour bus arrives and stragglers who can\u2019t hear the talk can learn on their own.    <\/p>\n<p data-start=\"13756\" data-end=\"14097\">Although I don\u2019t think I\u2019d seen honeysuckle shrubs in real life before, I\u2019m even more surprised by a bush with the Latin name Sorbaronia fallax\u2014a hybrid of rowan and aronia. Up close you can see rowan has won the leaf-design contest. Later, when I taste the wine made from Sorbaronia fallax berries, rowan also dominates in flavour.   <\/p>\n<p data-start=\"14099\" data-end=\"14380\">The owner is proud not only of the awards won in competitions but also of the fact that Estonia\u2019s current president, Alar Karis, has visited his winery. That says \u201cquality,\u201d doesn\u2019t it? To mark the honour properly, tourists can even take a special tour following in the president\u2019s footsteps.  <\/p>\n<p data-start=\"14382\" data-end=\"14726\" data-is-last-node=\"\" data-is-only-node=\"\">In closing, I want to add that I\u2019m not urging anyone to go wine-tasting. Instead, I recommend heading to Estonia\u2019s \u201cTuscany\u201d to enjoy the enchanting landscapes and pleasant atmosphere, try pizzas, cakes and other delights\u2014and pair them with lemonades, iced teas and other locally made non-alcoholic drinks. That Italian feeling is easy to catch even so.  <\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\n<\/div><\/section>\n\n<style type=\"text\/css\" data-created_by=\"avia_inline_auto\" id=\"style-css-av-mdfs7trh-c568cff024451d59c32050744dddddff\">\n.avia-image-container.av-mdfs7trh-c568cff024451d59c32050744dddddff img.avia_image{\nbox-shadow:none;\n}\n.avia-image-container.av-mdfs7trh-c568cff024451d59c32050744dddddff .av-image-caption-overlay-center{\ncolor:#ffffff;\n}\n<\/style>\n<div  class='avia-image-container av-mdfs7trh-c568cff024451d59c32050744dddddff av-styling- avia-align-center  avia-builder-el-14  el_after_av_textblock  el_before_av_textblock '   itemprop=\"image\" itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/ImageObject\" ><div class=\"avia-image-container-inner\"><div class=\"avia-image-overlay-wrap\"><img decoding=\"async\" fetchpriority=\"high\" class='wp-image-1949 avia-img-lazy-loading-not-1949 avia_image ' src=\"https:\/\/veinitee.ee\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/5_Langemaa-1.JPG-1030x687.jpg\" alt='' title='5_Langemaa (1).JPG'  height=\"687\" width=\"1030\"  itemprop=\"thumbnailUrl\" srcset=\"https:\/\/veinitee.ee\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/5_Langemaa-1.JPG-1030x687.jpg 1030w, https:\/\/veinitee.ee\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/5_Langemaa-1.JPG-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/veinitee.ee\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/5_Langemaa-1.JPG-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/veinitee.ee\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/5_Langemaa-1.JPG-705x470.jpg 705w, https:\/\/veinitee.ee\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/5_Langemaa-1.JPG.jpg 1500w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1030px) 100vw, 1030px\" \/><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<section  class='av_textblock_section av-mdfs2e2i-a0c7dd1b61bf02a640836b2f9489efc0 '   itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/BlogPosting\" itemprop=\"blogPost\" ><div class='avia_textblock'  itemprop=\"text\" ><p><em>Text and photos: Solveiga Kalva<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/solveigaspiedzivojumi\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Solveiga Kalva on Facebook<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n<p><em><br \/>\n  <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/solveigaspiedzivojumi.lv\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Solveiga Kalva on Instagram<\/a><br \/>\n<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em><br \/>\n  <a href=\"https:\/\/www.diena.lv\/raksts\/sestdiena\/celojumi\/toskanas-noskanas-igaunija-14337072\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Article in SestDiena<\/a><br \/>\n<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div><\/section>\n<div  class='hr av-26x98r-eda7e4551b8c242783069413bdf5c00c hr-default  avia-builder-el-16  el_after_av_textblock  avia-builder-el-last '><span class='hr-inner '><span class=\"hr-inner-style\"><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Latvian journalist and blogger Solveiga Kalva visited Southern Estonian wineries at the Season&#8217;s Opening event: &#8220;Picturesque hills draped with vineyards, winding country roads, wood-fired pizzas and sparkling drinks. Sounds like Tuscany? <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":1951,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[20],"tags":[27],"class_list":["post-1957","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-blog","tag-accommodation"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/veinitee.ee\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1957","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/veinitee.ee\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/veinitee.ee\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/veinitee.ee\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/5"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/veinitee.ee\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1957"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/veinitee.ee\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1957\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2044,"href":"https:\/\/veinitee.ee\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1957\/revisions\/2044"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/veinitee.ee\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1951"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/veinitee.ee\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1957"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/veinitee.ee\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1957"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/veinitee.ee\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1957"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}