Our Story. Our Vision. Our Passion.
Our Vision
At SISSELLE, we believe that exceptional beverages deserve to be discovered, understood and shared.
Our vision is to connect Scandinavia with some of Europe's finest producers of craft cider, artisanal sparkling wines and carefully selected low-alcohol beverages. We believe that products rooted in terroir, tradition and authenticity enrich not only the table, but also the stories we share and the experiences we create.
Through carefully curated producers, education and meaningful experiences, we hope to contribute to a growing appreciation of fine cider and artisanal beverages throughout the Nordic region.
Our Philosophy
Great products begin with great people.
At SISSELLE, we are drawn to producers who care deeply about their land, their orchards and their craft. Whether it is a traditional cider apple from Normandy, an orchard in Herefordshire, a mountain landscape in Trentino or our own trees on the island of Nøtterøy, we believe that every bottle should express the character of its origin.
We don't simply select products.
We curate producers, traditions and stories that deserve to be shared.
Our philosophy is built on three enduring principles:
✔ Craftsmanship over volume
✔ Uncompromising quality
✔ Producers with stories worth telling
Our Story. Our Passion.
SISSELLE grew from a shared passion for exceptional food and beverages, meaningful hospitality and the people behind them.
For many years, travelling through Europe became more than discovering new destinations. It became an opportunity to meet dedicated producers, visit orchards and vineyards, share meals around their tables and learn how traditions, culture and craftsmanship shape truly exceptional products.
In 2019, we purchased Solgården, a small coastal farm on the island of Nøtterøy in Norway. Restoring the old orchard and planting traditional cider apple trees marked the beginning of our own journey as cider producers.
As our passion evolved into a profession, we committed ourselves to understanding every aspect of fine cider. We travelled extensively through Europe's leading cider regions while building close relationships with producers whose values reflected our own. At the same time, we chose to deepen our knowledge through formal Pommelier and Pomology education and practical experience.
Today, SISSELLE represents carefully selected producers from France, England, Italy and Norway, while Solgården Sideri is developing our own handcrafted ciders inspired by both traditional European methods and the unique character of the Nordic terroir.
Whether we are visiting a producer, hosting a tasting or working in our own orchard, our ambition remains the same: to share exceptional beverages, the people who create them, and the places they call home.
Meet the People behind SISSELLE
Sissel Henriette Gjerstad
Sissel combines more than two decades of international leadership experience in marketing, innovation and strategic partnerships across Europe and Asia with a passion for gastronomy, hospitality and artisanal beverages. Having lived and worked in Asia for more than a decade, she has developed a deep appreciation for diverse culinary traditions, flavour balance and the role of umami in food and beverage pairing — a perspective that continues to influence her approach to fine cider and gastronomy.
She holds a Master's degree in International Marketing from École Supérieure de Commerce (Grenoble and Nantes), has lived and studied in France, and is currently completing the Pommelier programme. Together with ongoing wine studies (WSET) and hands-on experience as a cider producer, she continues to deepen her knowledge of fine cider and European beverage culture.
Today, Sissel works closely with producers across Europe, building long-term relationships and bringing carefully curated products and stories to the Scandinavian market. She speaks Norwegian, English and French fluently.
Pål Gjerstad
Pål is a Pommelier, Sommerlier, Chef and economist with an MBA from the University of Glasgow and decades of executive leadership experience in premium hospitality. Throughout his career, he has held senior management positions in the hotel and restaurant industry, led the development of hospitality concepts and built teams dedicated to exceptional guest experiences, quality and service.
His background spans every aspect of the dining experience — from working as Head Waiter in leading gastronomic restaurants to serving as Restaurant Manager for the VIP hospitality programme during the Lillehammer Winter Olympics. Over the years, he has developed fine dining concepts, established wine cellars and curated beverage programmes, created signature beverages and locally inspired products, and hosted producer dinners and tasting events. As both a chef and certified Pommelier, he combines culinary expertise with a deep understanding of sensory evaluation, food pairing and the traditions that shape exceptional food and beverages.
Today, Pål brings this lifelong passion for gastronomy, hospitality and craftsmanship to SISSELLE and Solgården Sideri, helping build a carefully curated portfolio of artisanal producers and products rooted in authenticity, provenance and exceptional taste.
Pål speaks Scandinavian languages and English, as well as conversational German.
Solgården Sideri – Our Nordic Craft
Our journey with fine cider naturally led us to create our own.
In 2019, we purchased Solgården, a small coastal farm on the island of Nøtterøy in Norway. What began as the restoration of an old orchard has evolved into Solgården Sideri—our own small-scale cider project and a long-term commitment to the future of Norwegian fine cider.
Today, our orchards bring together more than a century of history and a new generation of cider apples. Alongside 100-year-old apple trees and naturally growing wild apple trees, we have planted more than 700 traditional cider apple trees, carefully selected to produce elegant, food-friendly ciders inspired by the great cider traditions of Europe.
Our first commercial vintage is planned for 2027.
As cider producers ourselves, we gain a deeper understanding of the patience, knowledge and dedication required to create exceptional cider. That experience shapes not only our own production, but also the way we work with every producer represented by SISSELLE.
For us, Solgården Sideri is more than an orchard—it is where our vision becomes reality.
