Nagano
長野県 山形村
How about garage wine raised on satoyama time?
From Yamagata Village in Shinshu, a satoyama community at about 700 meters elevation, we bring wines scented with rich nature.
In our village vineyards, we want to grow grapes that are as healthy and naturally delicious as possible,
so we are committed to cultivation methods gentle on nature.
In Yamagata Village, Nagano, rich satoyama landscapes and agriculture are closely woven into everyday life.\n\nA visit to one of the village markets selling locally harvested vegetables makes this immediately clear.\n\nEnjoying naturally delicious local ingredients at their best is the Yamagata Village way.\n\nWe hope you will come and experience the village for yourself.
For full details of the current lineup, please see the online shop. A few wines are introduced below.\n\n● Chardonnay 2021, Barrel Fermented\n\nOne of the winery’s “three sisters,” nurtured by the slow rhythms of satoyama life in Yamagata Village, Nagano. Estate-grown Chardonnay was carefully harvested by hand and vinified. Barrel fermentation gives the wine breadth and a firm, generous palate. It pairs well with dishes featuring butter or cream sauces, as well as stews, gratins, yose-nabe hot pot, pot-au-feu, and many other foods.\n\n● Yama Sauvignon 2020, Barrel Aged\n\nThe lively farm girl cousin of the three sisters.\n\nYama Sauvignon is a uniquely Japanese grape variety created by crossing wild Japanese yamabudo with Cabernet Sauvignon. The 2020 grapes ripened fully, producing a wine with impressive depth and body. Try it with beef, nikujaga, Chikuzen-ni, and other soy-sauce-based simmered dishes.\n\n● Yama Sauvignon Sparkling Wine\n\nMade from 100% Yama Sauvignon grown in Yamagata Village, Nagano.\n\nThe wine undergoes secondary fermentation in bottle and is finished in a gentle, Lambrusco-like sparkling style. Because the base is a firmly structured red wine, its deep reddish-purple color immediately recalls red wine in the glass. On the palate, it offers juicy fruit reminiscent of biting into a fresh grape, together with soft bubbles that make it especially approachable.\n\nIts dry finish makes it suitable not only as a toast but also as a wine to accompany an entire meal. The carbonation is gentle and the tannins restrained, making it a good choice for people who find red-wine astringency or strong carbonation difficult.\n\n*Yama Sauvignon is a Japanese red-wine grape developed at the University of Yamanashi by crossing the native Japanese yamabudo grape with Cabernet Sauvignon, the classic Bordeaux variety. It combines the wild character of yamabudo with the elegance of Cabernet Sauvignon.
After graduating from school, I spent 12 years working in wine production and grape growing.\n\nDuring that time I also became interested in cider production and hoped one day to study it more deeply. Through a fortunate connection, I began working at Oike Wine and later succeeded the previous owner as the winery’s representative.\n\nBy making the most of the characteristics of Yamagata Village, I want to focus on vineyard work, grow healthy grapes, and deliver delicious cider and wine to everyone.\n\nI also hope to make this an experience-based winery where we can make wine together with our visitors.
PHOTO — NIHONWINE.JP editorial
SOURCE — NIHONWINE.JP editorial