What does Cedar taste like?

It opens with pale raspberry and blueberry fruit, layered with black pepper, mint, and rosemary for a cool, forest-like impression.

What vintage of Cedar is currently available?

The 2025 vintage is the current release, though the winery's tiny production means it frequently sells out soon after release.

How should Cedar be stored?

It requires refrigerated storage, reflecting its minimal-sulfite, low-intervention production style.

CuvéeTomiRed

Cedar

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Aperture Farm and Winery

About Cedar

Style: Red
Grape Varieties: Merlot
Price Range: ¥6,820; tax included, 750ml

Cedar is a 2025-vintage red wine from Aperture Farm and Winery, a micro-winery in Tomi City, Nagano run by winemaker Ryo Tanabe on his own near-organic estate vineyard. Centered on estate-grown Merlot, it is fermented with wild yeast and bottled with minimal to no added sulfites, following the winery's low-intervention philosophy. The wine is designed to evoke 'standing in a forest,' opening with pale raspberry and blueberry fruit before black pepper, mint, and rosemary bring a cooling, herbal lift. Produced in very small quantities, it typically sells out soon after release.

Sommelier's Note

Cedar captures Aperture Farm and Winery's philosophy in a glass — an honest, forest-scented red that lets Nagano estate fruit speak for itself.

New to wine?

A light, cool-climate red with fresh red-berry fruit and herbal spice — an easy, refreshing introduction to natural Japanese wine.

Food Pairings

Its cool, herbal profile suits roasted or grilled meats seasoned with rosemary or black pepper, mushroom dishes, and slightly gamey preparations such as duck or venison.

When to drink it

Best for casual dinners, autumn gatherings, or as a rare find for fans of small-production Japanese natural wine.

Terroir & Winemaking

Made from estate-grown grapes centered on Merlot from Aperture Farm's own vineyard in Tomi, Nagano (600-800m elevation, near-organic farming with only Bordeaux mixture for disease control). Fermented with indigenous wild yeast and bottled with minimal to no added sulfites, following the winery's low-intervention, honest approach to each vintage. Requires refrigerated storage and transport; the exact varietal blend ratio is not publicly disclosed by the winery.

About the producer

Aperture Farm and WineryWild-yeast micro-winery, near-organic farming in Tomi東御市, 長野県 · Founded 2022Visit the producer page →

More wines from Aperture Farm and Winery

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Frequently Asked Questions

What does Cedar taste like?: It opens with pale raspberry and blueberry fruit, layered with black pepper, mint, and rosemary for a cool, forest-like impression.
What vintage of Cedar is currently available?: The 2025 vintage is the current release, though the winery's tiny production means it frequently sells out soon after release.
How should Cedar be stored?: It requires refrigerated storage, reflecting its minimal-sulfite, low-intervention production style.

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