Our winemaker, Herman, has always had a passion for wine. He started winemaking with his grandfather in the early 1980s. In 2000, he planted his first small block of vines on his private residential property in Finland.

In 2022, Herman's deep interest and passion for wine became evident when he and his wife, Annika, decided to take the plunge and purchased a large greenhouse in Nagu, Finland, which had 5,000 m² of space. From this point, he knew he wanted to get serious about winemaking and began to delve deeper into the wine business. He would spend his winters visiting wineries in Europe and chatting with winemakers. In 2023, he acquired an additional 5,000 m² of greenhouse space in Houtskar, Finland.

Herman made history in 2022 by producing Northern Europe's first Cabernet Sauvignon vintage, marking a significant milestone in Nordic winemaking. That same year, Herman Haapman launched an initiative to establish Finland as a wine country in Europe, and now it is officially part of the government's agenda. By 2028, thanks to Herman Haapman's dedication, vision, and passion for wine, Finland is set to become recognized as a European wine nation.

In addition to winemaking, Herman also serves as an ambassador for Finnish wine. Today, there is growing demand for Finnish wine worldwide, with renowned wine critics such as James Suckling and other leading wine tasters eager to sample high-quality Finnish wines that will mature in oak barrels in the coming years.

Finland benefits from up to 20 hours of sunlight during summer and has remarkably good soil, which results in grape skins that are twice as thick as those grown in regions like Bordeaux. This allows for the production of exceptional quality wines. Herman's philosophy is to conquer the world with quality, not quantity.

As Finland's leading winemaker, he is committed to establishing the country as a major player in the wine industry. With over 40 years of experience in winemaking and more than 20 years of cultivating vines, Herman confidently considers himself Finland's most talented winemaker.

Herman Haapman
Winery owner
Haapman Estate