Hocca Winery
ホッカワイナリー
A sake brewery's terroir wines from Shonai, Yamagata
Hocca Winery is a boutique winery in Tsuruoka City, Yamagata Prefecture, run by Ouu Jiman, a sake brewery dating back to 1724 and revived in 2013. In spring 2017 the brewery planted a roughly one-hectare vineyard of about 3,000 vines in the Kuromori district along the Akagawa River in the Shonai Plain, and the winery itself was officially launched in 2021. Six European vinifera varieties are grown on trellis systems in the European style: Chardonnay and Pinot Gris for whites, and Pinot Noir, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Zweigelt for reds. Winemaking is led by young sake brewmaster Ryuya Abe, who applies techniques and sensibilities from sake production to the wines, giving many of them a subtle ginjo-like aroma from the sake yeast influence. The winery also produces HOCCA Cidre, a sparkling cider made from Yamagata-grown apples. The brand name 'Hocca' is a coined word inspired by 'hokkamuri', the headscarves traditionally worn by local farmers, and is meant to express beauty, resilience, sincerity, and charm.
hocca.jp/ ↗Cuvées
No cuvées registered yet.
Who Is This For?
For drinkers curious about the crossover between sake craftsmanship and winemaking, and fans of small-production, terroir-driven wines from Japan's Tohoku region.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Where is Hocca Winery located?
- Hocca Winery is located in Tsuruoka City, Yamagata Prefecture, with its roughly one-hectare vineyard in the Kuromori district along the Akagawa River in the Shonai Plain.
- Who makes Hocca Winery's wine?
- The wines are produced by Ouu Jiman, a sake brewery founded in 1724, under young sake brewmaster Ryuya Abe, who brings his sake-making sensibility to the winemaking process.
- What grape varieties does Hocca Winery grow?
- Six European vinifera varieties: Chardonnay and Pinot Gris for white wines, and Pinot Noir, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Zweigelt for red wines, all trellis-trained in the European style.
- When was Hocca Winery established?
- The vineyard was planted in spring 2017, and the winery was officially established and launched its wines in 2021.
- Why is the winery called 'Hocca'?
- The name is a coined word inspired by 'hokkamuri', the headscarves traditionally worn by farmers, expressing beauty, resilience, sincerity, and charm.