From Tuesday, October 20 to Thursday, October 22, 2026, Academy du Vin Co., Ltd. will hold a special three-day, two-night practical tour at Hirakawa Winery, offering participants an integrated experience of the vineyard, winemaking, and food.
This special tour offers a chance to experience Atsuo Hirakawa’s winemaking and his world of “wines that complement fine cuisine.”
About the Tour
Participants will join the harvest at Hirakawa Farm’s No. 1 vineyard, picking grapes used for the winery’s Grand Cuvée.
They will also enter the winery during the peak harvest and vinification season, an area normally closed to visitors. While Atsuo Hirakawa carries out actual cellar work, participants can hear directly about his philosophy and approach and take part in aspects of the winemaking process.
In the evening, the hotel Yoichi LOOP in Yoichi—known for enjoying Hirakawa’s wines—will create a winemaker dinner from the menu-development stage, making this a rare experience available only through this tour.
Three Highlights of the Tour
The tour brings together three experiences: “Vineyard,” “Winemaking,” and “Food.”
1. “Vineyard” — Harvest Grand Cuvée grapes in the actual vineyard
From the first day, participants will enter Hirakawa Winery’s vineyards and harvest grapes at Hirakawa Farm’s No. 1 vineyard for a Grand Cuvée, planned to be “Sélène.”
2. “Winemaking” — Enter the cellar while Hirakawa is making wine
Participants will observe winemaking beside Hirakawa as he works. They will hear directly from him about Hirakawa Winery’s winemaking philosophy, parcel-by-parcel quality, juice condition, temperature control, cleaning and sanitation, while also experiencing tasks such as pressing and cellar work.
3. “Food” — A winemaker dinner served by Hirakawa himself as sommelier
On the evening of the second day, a Hirakawa Winery winemaker dinner will be held at Yoichi LOOP, where participants will also stay. Hirakawa and Yoichi LOOP will discuss the menu in advance and build the food-and-wine pairings from the planning stage around the individual character of Hirakawa Winery’s wines.
Hirakawa himself will serve as sommelier on the night and explain each wine and dish.
Participants will be able to speak with him directly and enjoy dinner while asking not only about the wines but also about the vineyard and winemaking experiences from the day.
Reference
■ Tour Overview
Tour name: [3 Days / 2 Nights] Hirakawa Winery Special Experience
— Harvest and Winemaking Practicum with a Winemaker Dinner Hosted by Atsuo Hirakawa —
Dates: Tuesday, October 20 to Thursday, October 22, 2026
Destination: Yoichi, Hokkaido
Meeting / dismissal point: New Chitose Airport
Accommodation: Hotel Yoichi LOOP
Capacity: 16 participants (minimum 10)
Tour price (tax included):
Single occupancy: ¥164,450–¥169,400 per person
Double occupancy: ¥320,100–¥328,900 for two people
* Prices vary by room grade.
* Harvest and winemaking activities may change depending on weather, grape condition, and the progress of cellar work.
Tour planned and operated by Academy du Vin (Tokyo Governor-registered travel agency No. 2-8594)