About M.D. Vineyard Pinot Noir
- Style
- Red
- Grape Varieties
- Pinot Noir
- Price Range
- ¥8,800
M.D. Vineyard Pinot Noir is a single-varietal red from Kirinoka's M.D. Vineyard, a west-facing plot at 720m elevation in Katagaoka, Shiojiri City, Nagano Prefecture, planted on volcanic-ash gravel soils derived from the Yatsugatake and Ontake mountains. The 2025 vintage was hand-harvested in mid-September, destemmed, cold-soaked at 4°C for seven days, then fermented at a warm 28-32°C with roughly two weeks of skin contact before gentle pressing. After malolactic fermentation, the wine was aged for six months in French oak, yielding a concentrated wine with fresh strawberry and nutmeg-spice character.
A textbook expression of Shiojiri's volcanic-ash terroir — the warm-fermentation, extended maceration approach gives this Pinot Noir a concentration and spice-driven personality that sets it apart from Kirinoka's cooler Ono-district bottlings.
New to wine?
An approachable, fruit-forward Pinot Noir with soft tannins and a touch of warm spice — a friendly introduction to Nagano's cool-climate reds.
Food Pairings
The bright red-berry fruit and warm spice notes pair well with duck breast, grilled lamb, and mushroom-based dishes; the fine oak tannins also suit aged Gouda or Comté.
When to drink it
Autumn dinners, roasted poultry or game, gifting to wine enthusiasts
Terroir & Winemaking
100% Pinot Noir, hand-harvested mid-September at 720m elevation in Katagaoka, Shiojiri. Destemmed, cold-soaked 7 days at 4°C, fermented at 28-32°C with ~2 weeks skin contact, gentle press, malolactic fermentation completed, then aged 6 months in French oak. Bottled at 750ml.
About the producer
Kirinoka Vineyards & WineryNagano's high-altitude Pinot Noir project led by Japan's first WSET Diploma holder.辰野町, 長野県 · Founded 2020Visit the producer page →More wines from Kirinoka Vineyards & Winery
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- Kitaono Chardonnay KiritoWhite · Chardonnay
- La Goccia Chardonnay/Pinot Noir Brut RoséSparkling · Chardonnay · Pinot Noir
- M.D. Vineyard ChardonnayWhite · Chardonnay
- M.D. Vineyard RieslingWhite · Riesling
- MORINE Gekko no Banshaku Shiojiri ChardonnayWhite · Chardonnay
Frequently Asked Questions
- What makes M.D. Vineyard Pinot Noir different from Kirinoka's other Pinot Noirs?
- It is grown in a separate vineyard from the estate's Domaine Kirinoka bottlings — the M.D. Vineyard in Katagaoka, Shiojiri, at 720m on volcanic-ash gravel soil — and is vinified with a warmer fermentation and longer skin contact, giving a more concentrated, spice-driven style than the cooler Ono-district Cuvée Utou or Cuvée Tokiha rosé.
- What does M.D. Vineyard Pinot Noir taste like?
- Fresh strawberry fruit combines with warm nutmeg-like spice in a concentrated, medium-to-full-bodied red, the result of a 4°C cold soak followed by fermentation at 28-32°C and about two weeks of skin contact.
- How is M.D. Vineyard Pinot Noir made?
- Grapes are hand-harvested in mid-September, destemmed, cold-soaked for seven days at 4°C, fermented at 28-32°C with roughly two weeks of skin contact, gently pressed, taken through malolactic fermentation, and aged six months in French oak.
- What food pairs well with M.D. Vineyard Pinot Noir?
- Its bright red fruit and spice notes pair naturally with duck, grilled lamb, and mushroom dishes, and the wine's oak-derived tannins also complement aged cheeses like Comté or Gouda.
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