By Stokkebye: Realizing a Dream of Winemaking
After years in Michelin-starred restaurants, Jacob Stokkebye set out to fulfill his dream of winemaking, bringing his passion for quality and sustainability to Denmark.
This article is part of a mini-serie focusing on Nordic wine based on the small talks I had with the wine makers at the DSF Members Event: a Regional Danish & Swedish Wine Tasting at No 2in Copenhagen. The event featured wines from Vejrhøj Vingård, By Stokkebye, Vingården i Klagshamn, Guldbæk Vingård, and Fruktstereo.
From Fine Dining to the Vineyard
Jacob’s experience in top restaurants in England, France, and Denmark gave him a deep knowledge of wine and food. His dream of making wine took shape during his time working in French Michelin-starred restaurants, where he fell in love with wine’s complexity and potential.
In in 2009, he and his wife Helle planted their first vines on Fyn, Denmark. “It was the start of a new chapter for us,” Jacob recalls.
Jacob Stokkebye. Photo: By Stokkebye website. A fun-fact: In 1989, he co-founded the Danish Sommelier Association.
However, the early days were anything but easy. For the first three years, they ended up pouring out all the wine they produced. Jacob laughs a little as he recalls those early challenges. He quickly realized that to make his dream a reality, he would need to surround himself with skilled people.
The winery’s vineyards on Fyn are part of Denmark’s growing reputation as a wine region. With changing weather, cool-climate grapes like Solaris thrive here. By Stokkebye’s wines reflect the local terroir, with a focus on making wine as naturally as possible.
“We try to use as little machinery and electricity as we can,” Jacob explains. “We let nature guide the process.”
By Stokkebye. Photo: By Stokkebye website
“I understood that collaboration and working with people more skilled than myself was the key to success”
Stokkebye vineyard. Photo: By Stokkebye website
By Stokkebye’s driving force is an ongoing effort to improve and refine their craft. “What we constantly focus on is becoming better, refining, and taking things one step further,” Jacob explains.
Frank 2023 by Stokkebye, named in honor of the family’s Labrador, has a fresh and balanced character. Bright notes of tropical fruits, citrus zest, and green apple, softened by a slightly floral note. Photo: Ronja Bo Gustavsson
“We want to keep raising the bar, whether it’s in the quality of the wine or in our commitment to sustainability, by removing as much machinery and electric power from the winemaking process as possible,” he concludes.
Image taken from By Stokkebye Instagram - Screenshot from Financial Times.
Gaining International Attention
By Stokkebye’s work is getting noticed globally. Financial Times recently featured them in an article about how winemakers in northern Europe are adapting to the challenges of a changing climate. While shifting weather patterns bring uncertainty, By Stokkebye has found ways to grow high-quality grapes and create wines that reflect Denmark’s evolving landscape.
