Would you spend 16 days outside a wine store to get your hands on a 2015 DRC?

Bjørn Håvard is currently camped outside Vinmonopolet at Aker Brygge, waiting patiently for the Burgundy release February 7th and the DRC 2015. But this is not the first time Bjørn Håvard is sleeping outside to get his hands on rare and exceptional wines. His first stunt was in 2007, and has become a regular event in the following years. But this year he is taking it to a whole other level. 16 long days outside, breaking the record from last time, which was only 8 days.

How does this work?

In Norway, the wine is regulated with the monopoly, aka Vinmonopolet. So when rare and exceptional wines are available and released, they do so in a special way. Throughout the year they have “releases”. So one release for burgundy, one for riesling, etc. And because the number of wines released is so small, there is a queue system. In order to get your hands on one of these wines you need to be one of the first in line. This is why Bjørn Håvard is sleeping outside, to ensure acquisition of the rarities released from Burgundy this year. Another fun fact is that Norway is the cheapest place to buy these wines. So it might be worth checking into… if you’re not already camped outside.

DRC 2015

This year, the burgundy release is quite special. 2016 Bourgogne produced very little quantity of wine, but the quality is outstanding. And 2015 was a great vintage in Bourgogne, and although most other producers released their 2015 wines last year, DRC did not. So on the menu this year is Domaine de la Romanée-Conti 2015 and all the Bourgogne 2016. What would you do to get your hands on one of those? Sleep outside 16 days in Oslo during winter?

Dedication, patience and guts

Imagine you’re spending 16 days outside. In Norway. In January. It is not for the faint of heart. And as you can see, a lot of equipment is required to make it all the way to the finish line. Apart from warm clothes, you also need sleep gear, like cots and sleeping bags.

Brotherhood – a special bond

One of the most fascinating aspects of this phenomenon is the brotherhood between the participants. There is a mutual respect and understanding between them, which is helpful when one of them needs to use the restroom or get something to eat.

Be on the lookout – you might find me in line soon…