Solving the Logistic challenge at the nobel banquet 2025
300 bottles of Immelen 2022 were to be served to just over 1,300 guests at the Nobel Banquet 2025. Kullabergs Vingård was behind the scenes to open the bottles. Here's how it went.
For the first time, a Swedish wine – a white wine, no less – was served with the main course at a Nobel Banquet. This was a big deal. For us at the winery, of course, but also for the entire Swedish wine industry. It was a recognition of the high quality of our wines and of how far we have come.
The wine chosen was Immelen 2022, a wine that has become something of a flagship for us since receiving a top rating in The Swedish Wine Tasting last year. The joy and pride were, of course, immense when we received the news – but we had to keep it under wraps. Nothing could be leaked until all 1,300 guests were seated at the tables at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, 10 December, and the banquet had begun.
Even getting the shipment to Stockholm was nerve-wracking. Would it arrive on correct time? There were reason for concern, given the recent history of less-than-perfect deliveries… but everything went smoothly. It was a relief to see the AirTag (attached to the pallet) pointing to “Stadshuset” on the map.
The day before the banquet, CEO Victor Dahl travelled to Stockholm to work as “liquor steward” (Sv. spritkassör), a role that essentially means being part of the team handling all beverages served at the banquet. That day, all wine bottles were opened, including 300 bottles of Immelen 2022. The reason for opening them in advance is to ensure that every bottle has no faults. Back at the winery, our sense of pride grew when Victor called to say that only a single bottle showed a hint of cork taint. In this context, that is close to flawless.
Mission one was complete. The bottles were placed in the refrigerator overnight at 7°C, chilled thoroughly so they would stay cold overtime in the glass when enjoyed.
Finally, the 10th of December was here – the day we had been looking forward to ever since the happy news from the Nobel Committee.
The atmosphere at City Hall is fantastic on the day. Several staff starts as early as 6am, but Victor appreciated to sleep in for a later start. One of the highlights for us was taking part in a pre-tasting with Niklas Ekstedt, who was working as the gastronomic expert for the evening broadcast on Swedish television. The tasting went very well, we had the opportunity to meet the chefs and present Immelen 2022.
This year’s Nobel chefs were Tommy Myllymäki and Pi Le, with Frida Bräcke responsible for the dessert.
The main course was turbot stuffed with scallops and sugar kelp. An elegant dish that paired perfectly with Immelen 2022, according to the famous chef Niklas Ekstedt.
Just like before a theatre performance, several rehearsals were held. Everything had to go exactly as planned – the wine had to be served, the food plated and carried out. Speeches had to be delivered, music played, songs sung – and the schedule had to be kept.
When it was time to serve Immelen 2022, all bottles were lined up on large tables, with notes indicating who would serve and at which table. There they stood: 300 bottles of Immelen 2022, ready to be carried out into City Hall’s grand Blue Hall and create a magical encounter with the chefs’ creations.
Our CEO Victor was registered as a liquor steward and worked behind the scenes, but he was also asked to pour Immelen 2022 at the dinner. A fantastic experience – and as he passed the table of honour on his way back, he slowed the pace to “soak up the atmosphere.”
“There were overwhelming reactions to Immelen 2022 and a great interest in Swedish wine in general,” he said.
Organising a Nobel Banquet is a spectacle even behind the scenes – not as glamorous, but all the more precise. And then everything has to be cleaned up, just like after any party. Getting all the empty bottles and cartons to the recycling station under the tunnels of the city hall became a mission of its own. After everything was done, all staff received s diploma for work well done.
