Azucca e Azucco
アズッカ エ アズッコ
Aichi's boldest pioneer — natural wine against all odds in Toyota City
Azucca e Azucco is Aichi Prefecture's first — and most celebrated — winery, founded by husband-and-wife duo Daisuke and Azusa Suzaki in the city of Toyota. After training in Sicily and Tuscany, the Suzakis returned not to Hokkaido or Yamanashi, but to their own hometown, driven by the conviction that terroir is something you earn, not something you find. Their winery, Kaze no Oka (Wind Hill), produces just 8,500 bottles per year, entirely from their own estate vineyard, with minimal intervention and a deep respect for nature. Each wine is a unique work of art — different labels, different names every vintage — and sells out by reservation twice a year. In 2025, the Japan Winery Award elevated Azucca e Azucco to a coveted 4-star rating, recognizing its ascent from pioneer to one of Japan's finest small producers.
azu-azu.sakura.ne.jp/ ↗Cuvées
No cuvées registered yet.
Who Is This For?
For wine enthusiasts who love a great underdog story — those who crave artisanal, low-intervention Japanese wine with a fierce sense of place and an inspiring human story behind every bottle
Frequently Asked Questions
- What does the name 'Azucca e Azucco' mean?
- The name is Italian in style. 'Azucco' is the Italian-style nickname of winemaker Daisuke Suzaki, and 'Azucca' is that of his wife Azusa — the feminine form. 'E' means 'and' in Italian. Together, the name means 'Azucca and Azucco' — a portrait of the couple who built this winery from scratch.
- Why did they choose Aichi, of all places, to make wine?
- Daisuke Suzaki trained in Sicily and Tuscany, where he could have easily stayed or moved to a more famous Japanese wine region. Instead, he chose his hometown of Toyota, saying he saw no point in searching for ideal terrain — the real challenge was to express this land, exactly as it is. That spirit made Azucca e Azucco the first winery in Aichi.
- Why is Azucca e Azucco so hard to buy?
- The winery produces just around 8,500 bottles per year, all made by the couple alone. Wines are sold twice a year — spring and autumn — by reservation only, and sell out immediately. Their growing reputation, cemented by a 4-star Japan Winery Award in 2025, makes each release more sought-after than ever.
- What grape varieties does Azucca e Azucco grow?
- The estate grows a wide range: red varieties include Petit Verdot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Lambrusco, and Tempranillo; whites include Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, and Gewurztraminer. Their Italian training is evident in the embrace of Italian varietals alongside international classics.
- What is Azucca e Azucco's winemaking philosophy?
- Minimal intervention, maximum terroir expression. Every wine is a one-of-a-kind work of art with a unique name and label each vintage. The couple uses natural farming practices — even employing two goats to graze the vineyard — and produces wines of concentrated natural fruit without excessive winemaking manipulation.