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Hans Weinefalk Larsson Appointed Wine Director at Niehku Mountain Villa

Renowned Swedish sommelier Hans Weinefalk Larsson has been appointed Wine Director at Niehku Mountain Villa, the high-end boutique hotel and culinary destination at Riksgränsen in Arctic Sweden. Weinefalk Larsson has an extensive background in the restaurant and wine industry. Previously Chef Sommelier at the 2-star Michelin restaurant Oaxen in Stockholm and at the prestigious Hide in London, he is now in the final stage of achieving the esteemed title Master Sommelier – a distinction held by only about 300 sommeliers in the world. Weinefalk Larsson is also co-owner of Wine Hub in Stockholm, where he leads wine courses and educates future sommeliers.

“Having Hans join the Niehku team is a great addition of knowledge and experience. Together we aim to further enhance the unique guest experience that defines Niehku,” said Executive Chef and Head of Operations Thomas Eidefors.

Niehku Mountain Villa is a small-scale, high-end boutique hotel in the heart of the very north, located in Riksgränsen, 200 km north of the Arctic Circle. Niehku, which means dream in Northern Sami, offers guests a complete Arctic experience of nature, top standard accommodation, culinary dining, and world class service.

The wine cellar is both an architectural landmark and an interesting collection of fine wine. Built inside a preserved 100-year-old greasing pit from the historic iron ore railway, it now features a glass ceiling integrated into the dining room floor, giving dinner guests a unique view of the collection below. The cellar houses around 3 000 bottles across 400-500 different labels, with a focus on well-known regions and exceptional producers. The selection holds some rare finds.

“Niehku has an outstanding representation of some of the world’s finest vineyards, with a strong focus on quality and small-scale production. I’m truly excited to elevate the Niehku experience even further and contribute to the ongoing development of such a remarkable place,” said Hans Weinefalk Larsson. 

Photo: Charlie Bennett

Niehku Mountain Villa receives the Kiruna Lapland award in February 2025.

Here was the jury's motivation:

“After massive construction investments and an initiative that many thought was impossible, the facility now welcomes high-profile guests from all over the world. Already in 2019, it became the first hotel in Northern Europe to be awarded UNESCO’s Prix Versailles for the world’s best hotel interior design. Since then, development has continued with a strong focus on the highest quality of service, experiences, food, and beverages. The small hotel in Riksgränsen is now recognized worldwide and is considered an international "unicorn" among mountain destinations.”

The award has been presented by Kiruna Lapland for several years and aims to highlight successful initiatives, inspire other tourism businesses in the destination, strengthen the Kiruna brand, and foster pride and unity.

New Summer Experience!

Summit Hiking EXPERIENCE 2024

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND & ACHIEVEMENT

Hiking has been a longstanding tradition in Riksgränsen. In 1943, three recurring guests at Riksgränsen established the Riksgränsen summit badge. The badge aimed to welcome all true mountain enthusiasts to sportingly excellent, interesting, and thrilling ski journeys, providing diverse opportunities to acquire the skills of skilled, enduring mountain skiers and mountaineers. Only one summit per hike counts, in accordance with the original rules from 1943, and you can collect your summits during unlimited years. When you have summited five different peaks, the badge is awarded at a ceremony at the summit.

Join us for an unforgettable hiking experience amidst the landscapes of northern Lapland. Discover the rich tradition of hiking in the region and earn Niehku's prestigious 5-summit badge by conquering five summits over 1300 metres or with a vertical drop of at least 800 metres, summer or wintertime.  To take part you need to be physically prepared for two long day hikes, 6-8 hours/day, with vertical drops up to 1100 metres. The terrain can be partly steep and rocky but will not include technical climbing; however, it will offer breathtaking views.

NIEHKU'S HEAD PASTRY CHEF IS NOBEL'S HEAD PASTRY CHEF!

It is official! Our colleague Annie Hesselstad, Niehku Mountain Villa head pastry chef, has once again been entrusted with the prestigious task of Nobel Pastry Chef, responsible for the dessert for the Nobel Banquet, celebrating the Nobel Prize in Blå Hallen in Stockholm on December 10. We are so proud of Annie and are looking forward to another winter with fantastic desserts and pastries at Niehku Mountain Villa!

What the guests will be served at the Nobel Banquet cannot be revealed until they are seated on December 10. However, Annie can disclose a couple of ingredients, one of which is lingonberries! "At Niehku, we have used lingonberries from Mockträsk outside Boden, and they are absolutely unbeatable! So now we have 55 kg of lingonberries from Norrbotten for the Nobel Banquet, which is very exciting. I have already spoken to our head chef Ragnar Martinsson to make a simplified version of the Nobel dessert at Niehku""

How did a recognised Nobel confectioner end up 200 km north of the Arctic Circle? "I was asked to work at Niehku Mountain Villa by my friend Thomas Eidefors (operations manager at Niehku). I was definitely a bit hesitant as it is quite far away... But the second I stepped in to the lodge, I was hooked. The environment - both outside and inside, the people, the atmosphere, and the calm. Working here is the best decision I've made in a long time!".

Annie revealed, who nowadays is almost obsessed with fishing in the mountain lakes around Niehku and has become an avid skier. We are all very excited to welcome Annie back this winter and experience a Niehku version of the Nobel banquet dessert!