What does DOG WOOD taste like?

It's a dry, pale rosé with crisp acidity, red-berry and citrus notes from the Pinot Noir and Sauvignon Blanc, and a touch of textured weight from the overnight skin contact.

What food pairs well with DOG WOOD?

Its acidity and light tannic grip make it a natural match for seafood, sashimi, and grilled vegetables.

Is DOG WOOD a rosé or a white wine?

It's a rosé — the pale pink color comes from co-fermenting Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Gris with skin-contacted Pinot Noir.

How much wine was made?

Production is extremely limited; the 2023 debut vintage sold out shortly after release.

Where is DOG WOOD made?

The grapes are grown on AKASAKA Vineyard's estate in Mikasa's Tatsufu district and vinified under contract at the neighboring Yamazaki Winery.

CuvéeSorachiRosé

DOG WOOD

ハナミズキ

AKASAKA Vineyard

Sauvignon Blanc · Pinot Noir · Pinot Gris

About this wine

DOG WOOD is the debut and, so far, only cuvée from AKASAKA Vineyard, a micro-producer in Mikasa, Hokkaido. It blends estate-grown Sauvignon Blanc (58%), Pinot Noir (28%) and Pinot Gris (14%) from vines planted in 2021, co-fermented after an overnight skin soak that gives it a pale rosé hue. Vinified under contract at neighboring Yamazaki Winery, the minuscule 2023 debut sold out almost instantly; a 2024 vintage carries the label forward.

Beginner's Note

A gentle, food-friendly rosé — the pale pink color and dry finish make it an easy first taste of Hokkaido wine.

Sommelier's Note

"One of Sorachi's most tightly allocated debut wines — DOG WOOD's overnight skin-contact blend punches well above its size, and both vintages have sold out fast for good reason."

Food Pairings

A versatile dry rosé that suits both raw and cooked seafood — try it with sashimi, grilled scallops, or a simple niçoise salad; its bright acidity also cuts through fried dishes.

When to drink it

Casual dinners, aperitif, or as a keepsake bottle from a tiny, hand-run Hokkaido producer.

Specs

Grape Varieties: Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris
Style: Rosé
Alcohol: 11
Price Range: ¥4,400 (750ml)

Terroir & Winemaking

A field co-ferment: hand-picked Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Gris are sorted on a vibrating table and left on their skins overnight in stainless steel, then blended the next day with freshly picked Pinot Noir and fermented together. Dry, 11% ABV, produced under itaku jozo (contract winemaking) at Yamazaki Winery from 2021-planted estate vines.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does DOG WOOD taste like?: It's a dry, pale rosé with crisp acidity, red-berry and citrus notes from the Pinot Noir and Sauvignon Blanc, and a touch of textured weight from the overnight skin contact.
What food pairs well with DOG WOOD?: Its acidity and light tannic grip make it a natural match for seafood, sashimi, and grilled vegetables.
Is DOG WOOD a rosé or a white wine?: It's a rosé — the pale pink color comes from co-fermenting Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Gris with skin-contacted Pinot Noir.
How much wine was made?: Production is extremely limited; the 2023 debut vintage sold out shortly after release.
Where is DOG WOOD made?: The grapes are grown on AKASAKA Vineyard's estate in Mikasa's Tatsufu district and vinified under contract at the neighboring Yamazaki Winery.

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