Part 1: Discovering one of Japan’s most celebrated wineries in Yoichi, Hokkaido.
In early October 2021, as Japan slowly began to reopen, we packed our bags and headed north to Hokkaido.
Our destination was Domaine Takahiko, one of Japan’s most celebrated wineries and a name that has quietly captured the attention of wine lovers around the world.
For us, this wasn’t just another winery visit. When the harvest volunteers were announced, we were fortunate enough to secure a place. It gave us the rare chance to experience one of Japan’s most respected wineries not as visitors, but as part of the harvest team.
Domaine Takahiko was founded by Takahiko Soga, whose vision has transformed the cool-climate hills of Yoichi into one of Japan’s most exciting wine regions. His mission is both simple and ambitious: to craft world-class Pinot Noir that speaks unmistakably of Japanese terroir.
Many of our guests are already familiar with Obuse Winery, a winery we’ve long admired and proudly share with our guests at Yama no Manimani. Takahiko is the younger brother of its owner and winemaker, Akihiko Soga. While the two share the same family roots, Takahiko chose a different path—heading north to Hokkaido to explore what Pinot Noir could become in an entirely new landscape.
That journey has since become one of the most inspiring stories in Japanese wine.
The moment you arrive at Nanatsumori Vineyard, rows of perfectly tended vines unfold across gentle, rolling hills. There’s a quiet elegance to the landscape—one that seems to draw you into the crisp northern air.
Just beyond the vineyard lies the Sea of Japan. Although Yoichi sits at a surprisingly high latitude for winegrowing, the warm Tsushima Current helps create a remarkably mild climate. In winter, deep blankets of snow naturally insulate the vines, protecting them from the harshest temperatures.
It’s an extraordinary combination of geography and climate—one that’s rarely found anywhere else in the world. These unique conditions have made Yoichi one of Japan’s most promising regions for cool-climate viticulture, and the perfect place for Pinot Noir to find its own distinctive voice.
To be continued…
Editor’s Note: This visit took place in October 2021.
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