Akeno Venus Cabernet Sauvignon

About this wine

Akeno Venus Cabernet Sauvignon is the sole cuvée of Domaine de la Akeno Venus, a tiny family estate in Akeno, Hokuto City, Yamanashi — one of Japan's sunniest wine districts with over 2,600 annual sunshine hours. Made from 100% estate-grown Cabernet Sauvignon farmed with reduced pesticide use, the wine is fermented slowly in stainless steel tanks to preserve fruit purity, then aged in old French oak barrels for roughly 7 to 12 months depending on the vintage. Production is tiny — around 800 bottles per vintage. The result is a deep garnet wine with subtle dark berry aromas and gentle roasted-oak notes, soft tannins, and moderate, refreshing acidity — more approachable and medium-bodied than a typical full-throttle Cabernet, yet still well structured.

Sommelier's Note

"One of the very few 100% Cabernet Sauvignon wines coming out of Japan's sunniest wine district, made in tiny quantities (around 800 bottles a year) by a second-career winemaker and his son — a quietly serious wine worth seeking out precisely because so little of it exists."

Food Pairings

Pairs well with grilled steak, roast beef, and hard cheeses, but its soft tannins and moderate acidity also make it very food-friendly with Japanese cuisine — try it with sukiyaki, yakitori, or grilled mushrooms.

When to drink it

Versatile enough for everyday drinking with dinner, and also makes a thoughtful gift given its small-batch, family-estate story.

Specs

Grape Varieties

Cabernet Sauvignon

Style

Red

Price Range

¥3,500-4,500

Terroir & Winemaking

100% estate-grown Cabernet Sauvignon from the Akeno vineyard (Hokuto City, Yamanashi), farmed with reduced pesticide use. Slow fermentation in stainless steel tanks, then aged in old French oak barrels for approximately 7-12 months depending on the vintage (e.g. ~7 months for the 2021 vintage, ~12 months for the 2023 vintage). Limited production of roughly 800 bottles per vintage.

Frequently Asked Questions

What grape is Akeno Venus Cabernet Sauvignon made from?

It is made entirely from 100% Cabernet Sauvignon grown in the estate's own vineyard in Akeno, Hokuto City, Yamanashi.

What does it taste like?

Deep garnet in color, with subtle dark berry aromas and gentle roasted-oak notes, soft tannins, and moderate acidity — medium-bodied and more approachable than many full-bodied Cabernets.

How much wine is produced?

Production is very limited, at roughly 800 bottles per vintage, since it comes from a single small family-run estate vineyard.

What food does it pair with?

It pairs well with steak and roast beef, but its soft tannins also make it a great match for Japanese dishes like sukiyaki and yakitori.