About Sangiovese
- Style
- Red
- Grape Varieties
- Sangiovese
- Price Range
- ¥4,000-7,000
Sangiovese is a 100% single-varietal red from Funky Chateau, the cult natural-wine estate in Aoki Village, Nagano, made from the Sangiovese Grosso clone grown on the winery's own Higashiyama vineyard in Ueda City. Following the estate's low-intervention house style, the grapes are hand-sorted and fermented spontaneously with indigenous yeasts, then aged in barrique before being bottled unfined and unfiltered. The result is a glossy, mineral-driven red with a charming, distinctively thick aroma, concentrated dark-fruit depth, and a long, elegant tannic finish that reflects the unique terroir of the Higashiyama plot. It is released in very limited quantity, largely through in-person sales, and has appeared across several vintages (including 2017 and 2021).
One of the few single-varietal Sangiovese wines made in Japan — Funky Chateau's Higashiyama terroir gives it a mineral-driven, wilder character that sets it apart from its Tuscan cousins.
New to wine?
A distinctive introduction to Japanese Sangiovese — more rustic and terroir-driven than a typical Chianti, with vibrant acidity and a charming, wild character rather than polished, fruit-forward tannins.
Food Pairings
The wine's sour-cherry acidity and earthy depth make it a natural match for tomato-based pasta, grilled meats, and charcuterie. In a Japanese context it pairs especially well with grilled chicken (yakitori) with salt, soy-based simmered dishes, and mushroom-laden rice, where its structured tannins and bright acidity cut through savory, umami-rich flavors.
When to drink it
Well suited to casual dinners centered on tomato or mushroom dishes, natural-wine tastings, and gifting to wine lovers seeking a rare Japanese take on Sangiovese.
Terroir & Winemaking
100% Sangiovese Grosso from Funky Chateau's own Higashiyama vineyard in Ueda City, Nagano. Grapes are hand-harvested and hand-sorted, then undergo spontaneous fermentation with indigenous yeasts before aging in barrique (oak barrels). The wine is bottled unfined and unfiltered, in keeping with the estate's minimal-intervention philosophy. Production is small and releases have historically been sold largely in person.
About the producer
Funky ChateauNagano natural-wine pioneers, minimal intervention purists青木村, 長野県 · Founded 2011Visit the producer page →Frequently Asked Questions
- What grape is Funky Chateau's Sangiovese made from?
- It is a 100% single-varietal red made from the Sangiovese Grosso clone, grown on Funky Chateau's own Higashiyama vineyard in Ueda City, Nagano.
- What does it taste like?
- Expect a glossy, mineral-driven red with a distinctively thick, charming aroma, concentrated dark-fruit character, and a long, elegant tannic finish.
- What food pairs well with it?
- Tomato-based pasta, grilled meats, and charcuterie are classic matches, while in Japan it pairs beautifully with salted yakitori, soy-based simmered dishes, and mushroom rice.
- Is it widely available?
- No — production is very limited and bottles are sold mostly in person at the winery and select retailers, so it sells out quickly across vintages.
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