Atelier du Vin
アトリエ・デュ・ヴァン
Tokyo neurosurgeon's weekend micro-winery in Nagano
About Atelier du Vin
- Founded
- 2018
- 8 years ago
- Location
- 東御市
- 長野県
Atelier du Vin is a micro-winery in Niibari, Tomi City, at the heart of Nagano's Chikuma River Wine Valley. It was founded by Dr. Akira Iijima, a Tokyo-based neurosurgeon who began clearing abandoned farmland in 2011, planted Pinot Noir in 2012, and opened the winery in 2018 after seven years of weekend viticulture. The winery grows only red varieties — primarily Pinot Noir, plus Merlot sourced from a neighboring cheese workshop's vines — using minimal pesticides. Its name honors 'Atelier de Fromage,' the cheese shop across the street that helped Iijima settle in the area. Iijima's stated aim is to make wine that brings people happiness, and to build a winery that lasts 100 years, welcoming volunteers each harvest.
Who Is This For?
For Japanese-wine enthusiasts drawn to rare, small-batch Pinot Noir and the personal, artisanal story behind it.
Wines of Atelier du Vin
No cuvées registered yet.
Location & Nearby
- Address
- 長野県東御市新張908-1View map ↗
- Founded
- 2018
Source: tomi-wine.com (checked Sep 2026) / nagano-wine.jp (checked Sep 2026)
The pin with the gold outline marks Atelier du Vin.
Nearby wineries
Frequently Asked Questions
- Where is Atelier du Vin located?
- In Niibari, Tomi City, Nagano Prefecture, within the Chikuma River Wine Valley — one of Japan's leading cool-climate wine regions.
- Who founded Atelier du Vin?
- Dr. Akira Iijima, a Tokyo-based neurosurgeon, who cleared abandoned farmland in 2011, planted Pinot Noir in 2012, and opened the winery in 2018 while continuing his medical practice.
- What grape varieties does Atelier du Vin grow?
- Only red varieties: primarily Pinot Noir, plus a small amount of Merlot sourced from a neighboring cheese workshop's vines.
- Where does the winery's name come from?
- It is named after 'Atelier de Fromage,' a cheese shop across the street from the winery that helped Iijima settle in the area when he started out.
- What is Atelier du Vin's winemaking philosophy?
- To make wine that brings people happiness and to build a winery that endures for 100 years, minimizing pesticide use and welcoming volunteers at harvest time.