Why Collaborate With SISSELLE
We are not just importers — we are storytellers, advisors and advocates for artisanal excellence.
​
At SISSELLE, we build long-term relationships with producers who share our values: craftsmanship, integrity, and respect for origin. We understand the importance of your work, your land, and the time it takes to do things right. That’s why we take a hands-on and personal approach to market development — from tailored positioning and product education, to carefully selected partnerships in the Norwegian HORECA, retail and boutique segments.
​
Norway represents a dynamic, growing market for high-quality, small-batch products. Consumers are increasingly seeking transparency, story, and identity behind what they drink. We help you reach this audience in a way that protects your brand, highlights your uniqueness, and builds lasting value.
If you are looking for a trusted Nordic partner who speaks your language — in taste, philosophy and commitment — we would love to start a conversation.
​
Founders: Sissel Henriette & Pål Gjerstad
Sissel Henriette brings over two decades of international leadership experience in the telecom and tech industry, with a strong background in marketing and branding and strategic partnerships and innovation across Europe and Asia. She holds a Master in International Marketing from the École Supérieure de Commerce (Grenoble & Nantes), is a trained sommelier (WSET Award in Wines).
She speaks fluent English and French, conversational Italian and Spanish, and Scandinavian languages. Having studied and lived in France, she brings a deep appreciation for terroir, storytelling and sustainability, and a passion for connecting people through culture and craft.
​
Pål Gjerstad is an educated pommelier, sommelier, chef, and economist, with decades of experience as a hotel director. He holds an MBA from the University of Glasgow, and is known for his meticulous approach to quality, hospitality and guest experience. Pål speaks English, Scandinavian languages, and some German.
​​
In 2019, Sissel and Pål purchased Solgården, a small coastal farm on the island of Nøtterøy, and began restoring the landscape by planting cider apple trees and clearing forested areas around the old, vintage apple orchards. What started as a personal project soon evolved into a passion-driven journey.
In 2024, they left their conventional professional roles to fully dedicate themselves to cider production, pommelier and wine education, and the development of SISSELLE A/S as a platform for artisanal beverages and curated experiences.
Together, they now host cider tastings and educational workshops both in Oslo and at Solgården.
​
Solgården Sideri – Our Nordic Craft
At Solgården Sideri, located on the island of Nøtterøy, we are proud to be a small-scale producer crafting unique and expressive ciders from traditional Norwegian apple varieties — including bitter cider apples, wild apples, and vintage trees that have grown on the land for generations.
Nøtterøy has a rich tradition of apple cultivation dating back to the Viking Age, and at Solgården we carry this legacy forward with care, patience and innovation.
Our cider production is inspired by French and traditional methods, with a strong emphasis on terroir, seasonal character, and natural balance.
Each bottle is a reflection of nature, heritage and craftsmanship — fermented slowly and blended by taste, not by formula.
​
A Life Among Olives – Provence at Its Most Generous
In Cabris, a medieval hilltop village overlooking the Mediterranean, Sissel and Pål spend part of the year cultivating a slower, deeply rooted way of life. Their home in Provence is surrounded by olive trees, cypress-lined ridges, and the gentle rhythm of seasons shaped by sun, wind and stone.
From their terraced garden they produce small-batch olive oil from local Provençal varieties, as well as table olives — all hand-harvested with care and shared with friends, family, and guests.
They are part of a community of chefs, growers and artisans committed to organic methods, short-travelled food, and the heritage of Mediterranean cuisine. Meals are hosted in the garden or around the table, where local flavours and seasonal ingredients take centre stage — always with respect for biodiversity, land and people.
This is not just a second home. It’s a space for hospitality, craft and connection — where olives, wine and good conversation are part of daily life.
​
We are looking forward to working with you!
Sissel Henriette & Pål Gjerstad
