Il Fait Beau
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Chikuma City's first winery, 100% estate-grown terroir wines
Il Fait Beau is Chikuma City's first winery, founded in 2022 by Yoshiharu Ochiai — who runs an elder-care facility and set out to revive the region's abandoned vineyards after training at the Chikumagawa Wine Academy. Winemaker Hiroko Kitayama crafts the wines from grapes grown across four estate vineyards at elevations between 400m and 800m on both banks of the Chikuma River, planted with varieties including Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Syrah, Malbec, and Pinot Noir. The winery has grown its own grapes since 2016 and opened its in-house winemaking facility in August 2022, producing wines made from 100% Chikuma-grown fruit that express the terroir of the region.
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Who Is This For?
For explorers of Japan's emerging wine regions who want to discover a brand-new terroir early, and for fans of estate-grown, multi-varietal Japanese wines.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Where is Il Fait Beau located?
- In Chikuma City, Nagano Prefecture — the city's first winery, opened in 2022 on a hillside overlooking the Chikuma River valley.
- Who makes Il Fait Beau's wines?
- The winery was founded by Yoshiharu Ochiai, and its wines are made by winemaker Hiroko Kitayama; both trained at the Chikumagawa Wine Academy.
- Does Il Fait Beau grow its own grapes?
- Yes. All wines are made from 100% Chikuma City fruit grown across four estate vineyards at elevations of 400-800m, and the winery has operated its own on-site winemaking facility since August 2022.
- What grape varieties does Il Fait Beau grow?
- A wide range, including Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Syrah, Malbec, and Pinot Noir.
- What inspired the winery's founding?
- Founder Yoshiharu Ochiai, who runs an elder-care facility, wanted to revive abandoned farmland in response to requests from elderly residents, leading him to train at the Chikumagawa Wine Academy and open Chikuma City's first winery.