PRESS RELEASE 2024-10-22
December 2024 marks the 100th anniversary of the Grimeton Radio Station, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, which was commissioned to shorten the distance between continents and people. A historic moment that paved the way for modern wireless communications. To celebrate this anniversary, Grönstedts is launching an exclusive, limited edition cognac, as the brand has an interesting connection to the early history of the radio station.
In 1922, Royal Telegraph Agency engineer Nils Norén traveled to Grimeton to talk with local landowners about the need to establish a radio station that would enable wireless transmissions between Sweden and the USA. According to historical sources, Grönstedts cognac played an unexpected role during the negotiations, as the farmers who owned the land served cognac to the officials when the agreements were made, according to Norén’s construction diary. Now, 100 years later, Grönstedts wants to highlight this somewhat unlikely link between their cognac and the radio station’s history by launching a limited special edition.
“With this cognac, we want to honor Grimeton’s history and Grönstedts’ own long tradition of quality beverages. It is a tribute to both Swedish engineering and drinking culture—two worlds that met in an unexpected way 100 years ago,” says Jens Henricson, Brand Manager at Galatea.
The World Heritage Grimeton is very enthusiastic about the collaboration that combines radio history with beverage history.
“We are so pleased with this collaboration, which not only highlights an interesting part of the site’s history but also demonstrates how we, together with others, can package and convey exciting and different, often untold, stories that this place holds—all to get more people to appreciate it so that it can exist forever. Even when it’s time for Galatea’s next edition in 2125,” says Camilla Lugnet, CEO of the World Heritage Grimeton.
Grönstedts x Grimeton Radio Station – a tasteful and classic tribute
The anniversary cognac is a classic variant, with a rich flavor palette and a long, tight aftertaste.
“This edition is full-bodied and mature, with rich flavors and aromas of chocolate, walnut, and candied fruit. A traditional style with a generous flavor palette and a beautiful amber tone. A tasteful and classic tribute to Grimeton’s historical heritage,” says Sören Sörensson, product developer at Grönstedts and Galatea.
The bottle’s packaging is adorned with a stylized depiction of Grimeton’s characteristic antenna tower, reminiscent of radio waves. The inside of the packaging features historical images from the construction of the radio station and quotes taken from Nils Norén’s diary, offering a fascinating insight into the negotiations that laid the foundation for Grimeton Radio Station. Several restaurants in Varberg are organizing exciting cognac tastings in connection with the bottle’s release and the anniversary year starting in December. So far, Spiseriet and Luna Bar in Varberg have announced that they are hosting exciting cognac tastings.
Grönstedts x Grimeton Radio Station is launched in a limited edition of 1,000 bottles. It is launched in Systembolaget’s order assortment on November 25 with article number 84324-02 and costs 849 SEK.
For more information, please contact:
Jens Henricson, Brand Manager, Galatea
Tel: +46 725 606150, Email: jens@galatea.se
Camilla Lugnet, CEO World Heritage Grimeton
Email: camilla.lugnet@grimeton.org
Lena Bager, project manager “100 years of Communication”
Tel: 0768-08 89 25, Email: kommunikation@grimeton.org
Grimeton World Heritage Radio Station
100 years ago, inventor Ernst Alexanderson was experimenting across the Atlantic. What he didn’t know then was that his invention would pave the way for the emergence of the wireless society. The technology was installed in nine locations around the world, including on the west coast of Sweden in Grimeton. Now Swedes could send a telegram to the United States in less than 20 minutes, unlike letters that took several weeks. This had a major impact on trade relations between the two continents.
In 2004, Grimeton Radio Station was included on UNESCO’s World Heritage List of unique natural and cultural heritage worth preserving for the future. This is partly because the station in Grimeton is the only remaining of its kind that shows what wireless technology looked like in its infancy, but also what it technically enabled for us humans. Today, wireless technology is something we all use and sometimes take for granted, which would not have been possible without advances like those we can witness in Grimeton. The world’s best place to experience wireless communication. A world heritage with global reach. www.grimeton.org
Anniversary Grimeton Radio Station celebrates “100 years of communication” from December 1, 2024 – December 31, 2025, by creating a long celebration filled with activities and products together with various partners. Be part of the celebration – Grimeton 100 years of communication | Grimeton
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Grönstedts
Grönstedts was founded in 1846 in Stockholm by Johan Daniel Grönstedt. The production of Grönstedts has moved around several times. Initially it was located in Reimersholme, followed by Södertälje, Årsta and Sundsvall. In 2008 the blending and bottling was moved to France. Since 2021, the brand is owned by Galatea. https://www.galatea.se/
