Domaine Mont
ドメーヌ・モン
Pinot Gris artisan from Yoichi — Burgundian precision, Japanese soul
Domaine Mont was established in spring 2016 by Atsuo Yamanaka, who trained for two years under natural wine pioneer Takahiko Soga at Domaine Takahiko. Originally from Ibaraki Prefecture, Yamanaka came to Hokkaido as a snowboarding instructor, discovered wine while working at a resort hotel restaurant, and earned his sommelier credentials before embarking on his winemaking path. The estate's 1.5-hectare east-facing vineyard in Yoichi's Noboricho district is planted exclusively with Pinot Gris — 5,000 vines on JAS-certified organic land formerly abandoned for over 15 years. From four neighbouring farms, Yamanaka also sources Pinot Noir, Kerner, Merlot, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, and Riesling. His philosophy centres on expressing 'Japanese delicacy' in wine: wild yeast fermentation, minimal intervention, zero sulphite additions, and unfiltered bottling. Accumulated temperatures at Yoichi mirror northern Burgundy and Alsace, enabling the graceful, terroir-driven wines that have earned devoted followings in Tokyo's natural wine bars and export markets in New York, London, and Paris.
domainemont.com/ ↗Cuvées
モンロー
Montrlot
RedMerlot
A cool-climate Merlot sourced from Souma Farm in Yoichi. Rather than the plush, fruit-forward style typical of warmer regions, Domaine Mont's Merlot channels the cool maritime climate into elegant acidity and precision — a Merlot for those who think they don't like Merlot.
ハセドネ
Hasedonnay
WhiteChardonnay
Hasedonnay is a flagship Chardonnay produced by Domaine Mont, crafted from 100% Chardonnay grapes grown in the Hasegawa Vineyard in the Nobori district of Yoichi, Hokkaido. The vineyard is characterized by its sunny, west-facing slopes and a unique, stone-rich soil. The winemaking process emphasizes minimal intervention: the grapes are whole-cluster pressed, fermented with wild yeast, and aged for one year in Taransaud oak barrels. It is bottled unfiltered and unfined, with no added sulfites, resulting in a wine that captures the pure, vibrant essence of the Yoichi terroir with remarkable complexity and depth.
モン・ブラン AK
Mont Blanc AK
WhiteKerner
Produced by Domaine Mont in Yoichi, Hokkaido, this wine is crafted from 100% Kerner grapes sourced from the renowned Aki (AK) Vineyard. The winemaker, Atsuo Yamanaka, who trained at the prestigious Domaine Takahiko, employs minimal intervention techniques, including wild yeast fermentation and no filtration or fining. The wine is known for its vibrant floral aromatics, characteristic Kerner petrol notes, and a delicate, umami-driven profile that reflects the cool-climate terroir of Yoichi. It is a highly sought-after cuvée that captures the essence of Hokkaido's unique viticulture.
ドングリ
Dom Gris
WhitePinot Gris
Domaine Mont's flagship wine — 100% estate Pinot Gris from Yoichi, lightly macerated before pressing for an amber hue, then wild-yeast whole-bunch fermented and aged one year in Taransaud barrels. Zero sulfite additions, unfiltered, unfined. Candied orange zest, ginger, and incense on the nose; textured, long, and gritty on the finish.
ドメーヌ・モン 余市 ピノ・ノワール
Domaine Mont Yoichi Pinot Noir
RedPinot Noir
A Jura-inspired Pinot Noir sourced from Aki Vineyard (AK) in Yoichi, crafted by Atsuo Yamanaka in the translucent, light-bodied style of Jura Poulsard. Wild-yeast fermentation with zero sulfite additions yields a wine of delicate red-fruit character and food-friendliness.
ドングリ JK
Dom Gris JK
WhitePinot Gris
An ultra-rare single-parcel Dom Gris sourced exclusively from Domaine Mont's own-rooted (ungrafted) Pinot Gris vines. Only 1–2 barrels are produced per vintage. Same zero-intervention winemaking as Dom Gris, but with a deeper expression of old-vine, own-rooted terroir.
スーマンゴン・ブラン
Soumangon Blanc
WhiteSauvignon Blanc
A Sauvignon Blanc sourced from Souma Farm in Yoichi, showcasing the ripe, expressive aromatics that Hokkaido's long summer days can coax from this variety. Yamanaka's minimal-intervention approach preserves the grape's natural character.
ハセ・ドン
Hase-Don
SparklingRiesling
A lightly sparkling Riesling from Hasegawa Vineyard in Yoichi. High natural acidity and delicate effervescence make this a distinctive aperitif wine, with the signature petrol and floral notes of cool-climate Riesling.
モン・シー
Mont-C
SparklingApple
A natural apple cider made from 10 varieties of Yoichi apples grown at Forest Farm, a neighbour of Domaine Mont. Fuji (70%) anchors the blend with clean fruit character; the remaining varieties add complexity. Wild-yeast fermented, zero sulfites, unfiltered, and lightly sparkling. Clean, dry, and exceptionally food-friendly.
Who Is This For?
For wine lovers who seek elegance over power — natural wine enthusiasts, Burgundy fans, and anyone curious about Japan's emerging terroir-driven winemaking
Frequently Asked Questions
- Who makes Domaine Mont wines?
- Atsuo Yamanaka — a former snowboarding instructor from Ibaraki who trained under Domaine Takahiko's Takahiko Soga before founding his own estate in Yoichi in 2016.
- What grape does Domaine Mont grow on their estate?
- Exclusively Pinot Gris. Five thousand vines on a 1.5-hectare JAS-certified organic east-facing slope in Yoichi's Noboricho district.
- Why is Yoichi so well-suited to Domaine Mont's style?
- Yoichi's accumulated temperature mirrors northern Burgundy and Alsace, and large day-night swings preserve natural acidity — ideal for the delicate, terroir-expressive approach Yamanaka pursues.
- Are Domaine Mont wines natural wines?
- Yes. Wild yeast fermentation, zero sulphite additions, unfiltered, unfined. The estate holds JAS organic certification.
- Where can I buy Domaine Mont wines?
- Through a small allocation network in Japan (including Shinanoya) and via importers in the US, UK, and France. Wines sell out quickly — expect to join a waiting list for flagship releases like Dom Gris.