About little neighbor Koshu
- Style
- White
- Grape Varieties
- Koshu, Sauvignon Blanc
- Price Range
- ¥3,600-3,700
- Alcohol
- 10%
little neighbor Koshu is a Kifutato Wines white made not from the winery's own Hara Village vines but from purchased Koshu (85%) and Sauvignon Blanc (15%) grapes grown just over the town line in neighboring Fujimi-cho, Nagano — hence the name. Harvested October 15-20, 2023, the destemmed and crushed Sauvignon Blanc spends 18 hours on its skins before being pressed together with whole-cluster Koshu. After an overnight settling to drop heavy lees, the juice ferments in stainless steel with a light dose of dry yeast, ages eight months in tank, and is bottled in early July. As the winery's own facility wasn't completed until 2024, this 2023 vintage was custom-crushed at Cave Hatano. The result is a crisp, citrus-driven Koshu with kabosu, lemon and grapefruit aromatics and the sharp acidity typical of this cool, high-elevation site.
A quietly excellent Koshu — its purchased-grape origin story (the name literally means "neighbor") doesn't hold it back; the citrus lift and cool-climate acidity make it one of the more food-versatile Koshu bottlings from the Yatsugatake foothills.
New to wine?
A light, easy-drinking Koshu with bright citrus notes — a gentle, food-friendly entry point into Japanese white wine.
Food Pairings
Clean and citrus-driven, it pairs well with white fish sashimi, fried chicken (karaage), and lightly seasoned grilled or tempura vegetables; its bright acidity also cuts through richer or fried foods.
When to drink it
Casual dinners, sushi or sashimi nights, everyday Japanese meals
Terroir & Winemaking
Koshu 85% (Fujimi-cho, harvested Oct 20) and Sauvignon Blanc 15% (Fujimi-cho, harvested Oct 15). Destemmed/crushed Sauvignon Blanc given 18 hours skin contact, then whole-cluster pressed together with Koshu. Settled overnight to remove heavy lees, fermented in stainless steel with a small amount of dry yeast, aged 8 months in stainless tank post-racking, bottled early July. The 2023 vintage was contract-brewed at Cave Hatano prior to the winery's own 2024 completion. 750ml bottle, ABV 10%. Grapes farmed without herbicides or insecticides, reduced-pesticide viticulture.
About the producer
Kifutato WinesFamily-run boutique winery on Yatsugatake's cool high-altitude slopes原村, 長野県 · Founded 2024Visit the producer page →Frequently Asked Questions
- What grapes go into little neighbor Koshu?
- It's a blend of 85% Koshu and 15% Sauvignon Blanc, both purchased from vineyards in neighboring Fujimi-cho, Nagano — the source of the wine's name.
- What does little neighbor Koshu taste like?
- Expect fresh citrus aromas of kabosu, lemon, and grapefruit, with a sharp, refreshing acidity typical of this cool, high-elevation Nagano terroir.
- What food pairs well with little neighbor Koshu?
- Its clean citrus profile and bright acid make it a natural match for Japanese dishes like sashimi, karaage (fried chicken), and grilled or fried vegetables.
- Where was the 2023 vintage of little neighbor Koshu made?
- Because Kifutato Wines' own winery wasn't completed until 2024, the 2023 vintage was custom-crushed at Cave Hatano, a contract winemaking facility.
Want to know more about this wine?
Ask Vinami's sommelier — no intimidation, just answers.
Talk to the Sommelier