Guiding Norwegian Wine Lovers Around the World
Kjell-Gabriel Hendrichs is a Norwegian wine journalist and historian who organizes curated wine journeys for Norwegian travelers across some of the world’s most renowned wine regions. Since 2019, he has been guiding groups on immersive wine trips designed to combine learning, discovery, and memorable experiences. The concept began with visits to Piedmont in Italy, where travelers explored the landscapes of Barolo alongside the region’s famous truffles. From these first successful journeys, the program has steadily expanded to include a diverse range of destinations.
Today, Kjell-Gabriel organizes annual trips to several Italian regions including Piedmont, Tuscany, and Veneto, while in France the focus has been on Jura and the Rhône Valley. Additional destinations include Portugal’s Douro Valley, Germany’s Pfalz and Rheinhessen, and every January he takes a large group of Norwegians away from winter’s snow to experience the warm summer landscapes of South Africa.
Each year he introduces a new destination, continuing to expand the horizons of Norwegian wine travelers. This year’s journey explores Rioja and San Sebastián in Spain.
Wine, Culture, and Gastronomy in Every Journey
With a professional background in entertainment and media, Kjell-Gabriel designs his trips as rich cultural experiences where wine, food, and local traditions come together.
Cultural highlights are carefully integrated into the itineraries. For example, the trips to Veneto are timed to coincide with the famous Opera Festival held in the historic Roman amphitheater in the heart of Verona, allowing guests to experience one of Italy’s most iconic cultural events alongside their wine discoveries.
Food is another essential part of every journey. Whenever possible, itineraries include visits to Michelin-starred restaurants, reflecting the belief that great wine culture is inseparable from great cuisine.
In South Africa, the experience expands even further: travelers go on safari to observe elephants and other wildlife and take part in unique cultural activities such as learning to play African drums. These diverse experiences ensure that participants return home not only with knowledge about wine, but with memories that last long after the journey ends.
Exclusive Access and Storytelling Through History
Kjell-Gabriel’s reputation as a respected wine journalist in Norway often opens doors to wineries and experiences that are not normally available to visitors. Rare vintages are often brought out from the cellar thanks to his extensive network among producers in various countries as well as importers in Norway. It is also quite common for other Norwegian wine experts to join the trips, as they are so unique.
As a trained historian, Kjell-Gabriel weaves historical context into each destination, helping travelers understand the deeper cultural and historical background of the wines and regions they explore. Today he organizes six to eight wine journeys each year, alongside his regular work delivering wine lectures and tastings throughout Norway. The trips often sell out quickly, reflecting their growing popularity and the unique combination of education, culture, and adventure that defines Kjell-Gabriel Hendrichs as a guide.
