What makes this an orange wine if Delaware is a white grape?

Delaware is normally vinified as a white wine, but here the juice ferments together with the grape skins (maceration), a red-wine technique that gives the wine its orange color and extra depth.

It is finished as a medium-dry (yaya-karakuchi) wine, not a sweet style.

What food does it pair with?

It works well with pork shabu-shabu, grilled or pan-fried fish, tempura, and other Japanese dishes.

Where does the name 'Gassan no Usagi' (Mt. Gassan's Rabbit) come from?

It references Mt. Gassan, the mountain symbol of Nishikawa Town where the winery is based, and the rabbit that has long been associated with the mountain in local lore.

CuvéeYamagataWhite

Gassan no Usagi (Orange Wine)

月山の兎（オレンジワイン）

Gassan Toraya Winery

About Gassan no Usagi (Orange Wine)

Style: White
Grape Varieties: Delaware
Price Range: ¥1,800-2,000
Alcohol: 11%

Gassan no Usagi is an orange wine from Gassan Toraya Winery in Nishikawa Town, Yamagata Prefecture, made from 100% locally grown Delaware grapes. Although Delaware is normally a white-wine grape, it is fermented on its skins (maceration) in a red-wine-style process, giving the wine a warm orange hue and added depth beyond a typical Delaware white. The name and label motif reference Mt. Gassan, the symbol of Nishikawa Town, and the rabbit long associated with the mountain's lore.

Sommelier's Note

A rare case of a workhorse Japanese table grape, Delaware, being pushed into serious territory through skin contact. It shows that orange-wine technique isn't reserved for niche varieties — it can reveal new depth in everyday Yamagata fruit.

New to wine?

A friendly entry point into orange wine: Delaware's familiar, gentle fruitiness is layered with skin-contact texture, without heavy tannin, making it approachable for first-timers.

Food Pairings

A versatile food wine that bridges white and red styles — good with pork shabu-shabu, salmon meunière, grilled fish, and tempura, as well as many Japanese home-style dishes.

When to drink it

Good for everyday dinners with Japanese food, as a conversation-starting gift thanks to its rabbit/moon storytelling, and for those curious to try orange wine for the first time.

Terroir & Winemaking

Made from 100% Yamagata-grown Delaware grapes, fermented with skin contact (maceration) in a red-wine-style process rather than the usual white-wine method. Finished as a medium-dry (yaya-karakuchi) still wine, bottled at 720ml.

About the producer

Gassan Toraya WineryAuthentic Yamagata wines crafted from 100% local fruits.西川町, 山形県 · Founded 1982Visit the producer page →

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Frequently Asked Questions

What makes this an orange wine if Delaware is a white grape?: Delaware is normally vinified as a white wine, but here the juice ferments together with the grape skins (maceration), a red-wine technique that gives the wine its orange color and extra depth.
Is it sweet or dry?: It is finished as a medium-dry (yaya-karakuchi) wine, not a sweet style.
What food does it pair with?: It works well with pork shabu-shabu, grilled or pan-fried fish, tempura, and other Japanese dishes.
Where does the name 'Gassan no Usagi' (Mt. Gassan's Rabbit) come from?: It references Mt. Gassan, the mountain symbol of Nishikawa Town where the winery is based, and the rabbit that has long been associated with the mountain in local lore.

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