Danish-born Leo Steen, who runs his own wine company (Leo Steen Wines) in Sonoma, is the “Scout” for this wine. Through his extensive network in the area and in collaboration with Østjysk Vinforsyning, he has been able to select the perfect grapes and create a wine that aligns with a well-defined flavor profile tailored to fine dining and the Danish market.
The name Sugar Mill refers to an old sugar mill, originally a sugar beet factory, which now operates as a winery for talented Californian winegrowers.
Sugar Mill Chardonnay is made from 100% Chardonnay grapes sourced from the single vineyard Wilson Vineyard, located just 3 km from the old sugar mill in the heart of the Clarksburg AVA. To maintain fresh acidity and limit the alcohol content to around 13%, the grapes are harvested relatively early in the season, before their sugar levels become too high. The wine is fermented in stainless steel tanks at The Sugar Mill and then transported to Leo Steen’s facilities in Sonoma. There, 30% of the wine is aged in used French oak barrels, while the rest is matured in 1,000-liter breathable flex tanks. The maturation lasts five months before bottling.
The wine has a beautiful color with a greenish tint. It offers lovely depth, richness, and fullness while retaining a fresh and crisp character. The aroma is inviting, with notes of pink grapefruit, orange peel, and green tropical nuances like mango and green banana, complemented by a subtle touch of vanilla from the oak. Perfect maturity and balance, a fine texture, and a creamy citrus character reminiscent of lemon crème brûlée.
The wine’s freshness and harmonious acidity make it an excellent companion to fine cuisine, but it can also be enjoyed on its own. Try it with chicken (such as tacos with mango salsa), salads, or pan-fried plaice. Serve at around 9-10 °C.
SCOUT was founded in 2024 and represents a range of wines that must meet three criteria:
They should be representative of their regions.
They must be of high quality.
They should have the right price.
To achieve this, we rely on our Scouts. Through our extensive network of wine producers, we carefully select the best winemakers (Scouts), who have vast experience and already produce wines under their own labels in our markets.
At Østjysk Vinforsyning, we are involved throughout the process. We know how the wines should taste, what suits Danish preferences, and what complements Nordic cuisine. Together with our Scouts, we select the grapes, determine the flavor profile, and develop the design and presentation – focusing on quality at every stage. Our Scouts put their names on the wines (“SCOUT by…”), symbolizing the close collaboration and personal touch behind each bottle.
