Domaine Mie Ikeno
ドメーヌ ミエ・イケノ
A French-trained oenologist crafting Japan's most sought-after 'phantom wine' in the Yatsugatake highlands: just 800 cases a year, gravity-flow winemaking, and grapes sometimes harvested by moonlight, all in pursuit of wine that quietly nestles into the body.
Founded by Mie Ikeno, a certified French oenologist (D.N.O.) and former journalist who studied at the University of Montpellier and worked in Burgundy before establishing her vineyard in 2007. Located in Kobuchizawa, Yamanashi, at 750m elevation on the slopes of Yatsugatake, the winery produces approximately 800 cases per year from Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Merlot grown without pesticides or chemical fertilizers. A gravity-flow system eliminates mechanical intervention from harvest to bottling. The vineyard 'Les Pas du Chat' (cat's footprints) was named after paw prints found during the inaugural 2006 site visit. Wines sell out immediately upon release and are considered among Japan's finest.
www.mieikeno.com/ ↗Cuvées
メルロー
Merlot
RedMerlot
Merlot grown in volcanic silty loam soils at Yatsugatake, aged 12 months in stainless steel. A natural, powerful expression of Yatsugatake terroir, with multi-layered aromas of fresh plum, green pepper, and cacao nibs emerging simultaneously on the attack.
シャルドネ
Chardonnay
Whitebarrel fermentedChardonnay
High-elevation Chardonnay from volcanic slopes at 750m on Yatsugatake. Fermented and aged in French oak barrels for 12 months using gravity-flow winemaking. Aromas of citrus, pear, cinnamon, biscuit, butter and quince with firm acidity and silky texture.
ピノ・ノワール
Pinot Noir
RedelegantPinot Noir
Elegant Pinot Noir from the volcanic slopes of Yatsugatake, aged 18 months in stainless steel to express pure fruit character and terroir. Aromas of mulberry, plum, clove, earthy coffee notes, with an Earl Grey finish and fine, graceful tannins.
月香 シャルドネ
Tsukika Chardonnay
Whitebarrel fermentednight harvestChardonnay
A special cuvée made exclusively from Chardonnay grapes harvested at midnight under moonlight. Grapes are picked in cold night temperatures and processed immediately to preserve maximum aroma and acidity. Fermented and aged in French oak barrels for 12 months. Aromas of quince, pineapple, pear, and green apple with a creamy, full-bodied palate.
Who Is This For?
For wine lovers drawn to rare, terroir-driven Japanese wine who want to explore natural, low-intervention winemaking from a single estate-grown vineyard, and who don't mind chasing a bottle that sells out within minutes of release.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Why is Domaine Mie Ikeno called Japan's 'phantom wine'?
- Because annual production is limited to roughly 800 cases across all cuvees, bottles typically sell out within minutes of release. Around 200 bottles sold out instantly at a GINZA SIX tasting event, for example.
- What is Mie Ikeno's background as a winemaker?
- Before becoming a winemaker, Mie Ikeno spent decades as a magazine journalist. She then studied oenology, viticulture and microbiology at the University of Montpellier in France, earned the French national oenologist qualification (D.N.O.) in 2005, worked in Burgundy, and began planting vines on an abandoned mulberry field in Yamanashi in 2007.
- How has her winemaking philosophy changed over time?
- Early on she aimed for wines that were 'dignified and elegant.' Today she says she wants her wines to 'gently nestle into the body,' letting each vintage's weather and natural environment speak for itself so people can relax and share memories over a glass at the end of the day.