About this wine
Estate Goichi Chardonnay is a 100% Chardonnay white wine made exclusively from grapes grown on Hayashi Farm's own vineyards in the Kikyogahara appellation of Shiojiri, Nagano - including the Kakizawa estate plot opened in 2011 at roughly 800 meters elevation, about 100 meters higher and 1°C cooler than the winery's main vineyards. The wine is aged in French oak barrels, producing vanilla and toasty aromas that layer over the variety's citrus and tropical fruit character. It is a dry, full-bodied white with firm, well-integrated acidity, part of Goichi Wine's 'Estate' series alongside Estate Goichi Merlot.
An approachable, well-made introduction to Japanese oaked Chardonnay - full-bodied but balanced by firm acidity.
Sommelier's Note
"One of the most reliable everyday expressions of Kikyogahara Chardonnay - French oak adds warmth without masking the site's natural acidity."
Food Pairings
Pairs especially well with salt-grilled sea bream (tai no shioyaki) and other grilled white fish; also good with roast chicken, cream-based pasta, and tempura.
When to drink it
Everyday dinners with grilled or roasted dishes, and a good-value gift when paired with Estate Goichi Merlot in the winery's gift set.
Specs
- Grape Varieties
- Chardonnay
- Style
- White
- Price Range
- ¥1,900-2,500
Terroir & Winemaking
Grapes sourced from Hayashi Farm's own vineyards in Kikyogahara, including the Kakizawa plot (established 2011, ~800m elevation). Fermented and aged in French oak barrels. Alcohol content typically around 12.5-13% by volume; bottled at 720ml.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What makes this a 100% estate wine?
- All grapes come exclusively from Hayashi Farm's own vineyards in Kikyogahara, including the Kakizawa plot planted in 2011 at roughly 800m elevation - no purchased fruit is used.
- What does it taste like?
- Vanilla and toasty oak aromas layered over Chardonnay's citrus and tropical fruit character, with a dry, full body and firm acidity.
- What food pairs best with it?
- Salt-grilled sea bream and other grilled white fish are a classic match; it also works well with roast chicken and tempura.
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Talk to the SommelierMore wines from this producer
エステートゴイチ メルロ
Estate Goichi Merlot
RedMerlot
Estate Goichi Merlot is Hayashi Farm's flagship 100% estate-grown Merlot, sourced exclusively from the winery's own vineyards in the Kikyogahara plateau and the newer Kakizawa site (planted 2011, 820m elevation) in Shiojiri, Nagano. The wine is aged for roughly 16-18 months in French oak barrels, giving it aromas of cassis, blackcurrant, and blackberry layered with vanilla and savory, tarry, gravelly notes from the oak and bottle maturation. It shows a firm tannic structure and full body typical of Kikyogahara Merlot, Japan's most historically significant Merlot terroir. Select vintages (e.g. the 2016 Kakizawa bottling) have scored 90-92 points from international critics and are noted for their ability to evolve further with cellar aging.
塩尻メルロ
Goichi Shiojiri Merlot
RedMerlot
Goichi Shiojiri Merlot is Hayashi Farm's standard-tier red wine, made from 100% Merlot grapes grown across the Shiojiri area of Nagano Prefecture, combining fruit from the winery's own vineyards with grapes from local contract growers. As the everyday counterpart to the winery's flagship Estate Goichi Merlot, it is aged in French oak barrels, which round out the wine's fruit character. It shows a bright ruby color with aromas of raspberry, strawberry, and cherry, gentle tannins, and a medium body — an approachable, food-friendly style rather than the firm, concentrated structure of the estate bottling.