An autumnal weekend in late October saw the members of the Bailliages of Stockholm and Uppsala gather for a weekend at the venerable Thoresta Herrgård (Manor).

Thoresta is surrounded by ancient monuments from the Stone Age and Iron Age. The first documented use of the name dates back to 1349. The original building was built in 1780 by Christer Posse but this was moved to Norrköping in 1835 where it was re-built stone by stone. As a result, one of the wings was converted into a new main building. In more recent times, Thoresta changed from being a private residence to become a privately-owned conference hotel.

As any weekend should start, we met on the Saturday for “afternoon tea”. Well, the “tea” was substituted with champagne and the traditional “scones and cucumber sandwiches” by charcuterie and a creamy soup in small fine glass! This introduction inspired participants to several activities before dinner, such as a walk in the grounds despite a light drizzle, a sauna or even just a brief moment of relaxing sleep.

A dinner at Thoresta never disappoints. The courses always feature local ingredients. For example the venison and duck on the menu was from the Manor’s estate.

However, before we were seated at table there was a champagne reception with an amuse-bouche of roe mayonnaise on a roasted artichoke and Champagne.

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Lightly-smoked salmon with cauliflower
Mâcon-Villages, Henri de Villamont (France)

Venison steak tartare
elderberry capers, fried sourdough and potato foam
Villa Wolf Spätburgunder, Rheinpfalz (Germany)

Wild duck
celeriac and a dill emulsion
Il Convertiono, Rosso di Montepulciano (Italy)

Bredsjö Blue
Recioto della Valpolicella (Italy)

Baked apple
with vanilla brûlée and ground cinnamon
Brännland Iscider, Västerbotten (Sweden)

Coffee
Homemade chocolates

To comment on just one of the delightful courses, when it was put on the tongue and pressed against the palate the delicious wild duck simply melted. The aroma and taste of plums and blackberries presented by the accompanying Montepulciano wine doubled the pleasure!

So, after a Saturday which began with champagne in the afternoon, followed by more champagne and a wonderful dinner in the company of Chaîne friends and their guests, we concluded our stay with a very good breakfast and left Thoresta Manor very happy and satisfied.

Anders Ingvarsson
Chevalier