Coco Farm & Winery
ココ・ファーム・ワイナリー
Japan's most human winery — born from a mountain vineyard planted by hands that refused to stop
Coco Farm & Winery is one of Japan's most beloved wineries, founded in Ashikaga, Tochigi Prefecture, on a vineyard that was originally planted in 1969 by students with intellectual disabilities under the guidance of a special education teacher. Today the winery continues to employ people with intellectual disabilities alongside professional winemakers, making wines from Tochigi grapes as well as collaborating with 10R Winery in Hokkaido on the 'Kokonoaru' (こことある) series. Winemaker Bruce Gutlove — American-born, trained in California, and a former head winemaker at Coco Farm — bridges the two projects, producing the Hokkaido collaboration wines at 10R Winery in Iwamizawa while Coco Farm handles release and distribution.
cocowine.com ↗Cuvées
こことある ぴのぐり
Kokonoaru Pinot Gris
WhitePinot Gris
Kokonoaru Pinot Gris is part of Coco Farm & Winery's Coco & 10R Series, crafted by winemaker Bruce Gutlove at 10R Winery in Iwamizawa, Hokkaido. Grapes are sourced from outstanding growers in Yoichi — primarily Nakagawa Farm and Kimura Farm. Whole-bunch pressed, wild-yeast fermented in stainless steel and large French oak barrels (500L), aged 8 months on lees without fining or filtration. The wine reflects the cooler maritime climate of Yoichi with characteristic mineral tension, ripe orchard fruit, and savory umami depth — a benchmark expression of Hokkaido Pinot Gris in the natural wine idiom.
こことある ぴのろぜ
Kokonoaru Pinot Roze
RoséPinot Noir
Kokonoaru Pinot Roze is a collaboration rosé between 10R Winery and Coco Farm & Winery, made from 100% Pinot Noir grown at the famed Kimura Farm in Yoichi, Hokkaido. First produced experimentally in 2013 as an attempt to make rosé from grapes intended for red wine, it proved so successful that it became an annual release refined vintage by vintage. The grapes undergo whole-cluster carbonic maceration at low temperatures unique to Hokkaido's cool climate, then ferment with wild yeast in used barrels and stainless steel tanks, aging on the lees. The result is a dry rosé with the complexity and depth of a red wine and the freshness and elegance of a white.
Who Is This For?
For wine lovers who want to drink something with a soul — wines that carry the warmth of the people who made them
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is Coco Farm & Winery known for?
- Coco Farm is known for its unique social mission — the vineyard was originally planted in 1969 by students with intellectual disabilities, and the winery continues to employ people with intellectual disabilities today. The wines are genuine and highly regarded in Japan's natural wine community.
- What is the 'Kokonoaru' (こことある) series?
- Kokonoaru is a collaboration label between Coco Farm & Winery and 10R Winery in Hokkaido. The name combines 'Coco' (from Coco Farm) and '10R' (read as 'toar' in Japanese), literally meaning 'here and there.' Winemaker Bruce Gutlove produces these wines at 10R Winery using Hokkaido grapes.
- Where are Coco Farm wines made?
- Coco Farm's main wines are produced at the winery in Ashikaga, Tochigi Prefecture. The Kokonoaru collaboration series is vinified by Bruce Gutlove at 10R Winery in Iwamizawa, Hokkaido, using Yoichi-sourced grapes.