Terroir

Møn, our picturesque island located in the southeastern part of Denmark, has become a surprising yet ideal location for wine growing, despite – or maybe because of - its northern latitude. This unique suitability for viticulture is largely attributed to its distinctive geology and favorable climate conditions.

GEOLOGY

Møn's foundation of chalk and limestone is the bedrock of its viticultural effort. The island's iconic white cliffs, known as Møns Klint, are composed of this chalk, which is a remnant of ancient seabeds formed millions of years ago. These chalky soils are particularly beneficial for wine growing because they provide excellent drainage, ensuring that the vines do not become waterlogged, which is crucial in a region with frequent rainfall. Additionally, chalk reflects sunlight, which helps in ripening the grapes by maintaining a consistent warmth around the vines. This reflective quality also extends the growing season, allowing grapes to reach their full potential even in a cooler climate. Furthermore, the local soils of Basnæs, where Calum Winery is situated, contain high levels of flint stone and the combination of lime stone and flint stone provides great conditions for high minerality in the wines.

Our terroir - geology

CLIMATE

Møn’s climate is tempered by its proximity to the Baltic Sea, which helps to moderate temperature extremes. The sea acts as a heat sink, absorbing warmth during the day and releasing it during cooler nights, thereby reducing the risk of frost, which can be detrimental to budding vines. The island enjoys long summer days with extended hours of sunlight, providing ample light for photosynthesis, which is vital for grape development. The rolling hills towards the sea, enhance the reflection of the sun, increasing sunlight exposure by up to 30%.

Moreover, the relatively mild winters prevent the vines from being damaged by severe cold, a common issue in more inland areas of Denmark.

Møn is appointed Denmark’s first UNESCO Biosphere area, documenting world class nature with rare flora and fauna, and some of the clearest skies in the world, with very limited "light pollution" also known as Dark Sky.

The combination of Møn’s unique chalky soils and its moderated climate, creates an environment where grapes thrive, producing wines with a distinct mineral character, bright acidity, and complex flavors. The local microclimate, with its gentle sea breezes, also helps to minimize the risk of fungal diseases, which can be a challenge in more humid regions.

In summary, Møn’s geology and climate together create an ideal environment for wine growing. The island’s chalky soils, reflective sunlight, and the moderating effects of the Baltic Sea all contribute to the production of high-quality grapes, making it a burgeoning region for viticulture in Denmark.

Our terroir - climate

RØDDINGE HOUSE ROW

Røddinge Row is the most eastern hill on the south facing ridge of Basnæs. This vineyard is the home of our first Pinot Noirs and Pinot Meuniers, planted in 2023. The soft sandy slopes are kept clean from any other vegetation, in order for the sun to heat the dark soil and provide the young vines with power and for the roots to gain strong foothold

BASNÆS BAKKE EAST

Basnaes Bakke East is where our first Chardonnays were planted in 2023. The same soft sandy slopes however a steeper downhill slop towards the sea, with a higher level of sun reflection

BASNÆS BAKKE WEST

Basnaes Bakke West lies shielded from the winds on the steeper side of the ridge, with our Chardonnays planted in 2024. In this vineyard we have a higher level of flint, that entails elegant minerality.

THE LAB

The Lab is our “Vineyard of Curiosity”. With vast climate changes still to come, we strive to see how new varieties will grow in our terroir. Grape Varieties like Riesling, Pinot Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Gris, Grüner Veltliner, Cabernet Franc and Merlot are some of the varieties that we test. In successful years, these grapes will be harvested and vinified into limited edition wines, only for sale in Klub Kalum

THE ORIGINAL BRUT

Beautifully located – right in the center of our vineyard, with stunnig views of the Dybsø Fjord, we have preserved the original Vineyard, planted by Ambjerg in 2018, as the very first example of what the terroir was capable of.

DARK SKY

In 2025 we plan to plant another 20.000 Pinot Noir vines in our most western Vineyard.

OUR VINEYARDS