LOW BROW CRAFT
ローブロウクラフト
Farmer's natural wines inspired by 1960s street art
LOW BROW CRAFT is an independent, farmer-driven natural winery established in October 2022 by Manabu Akagi in Yoichi, Hokkaido. The name draws inspiration from the Lowbrow Art movement—a 1960s American street art tradition that democratized art for everyday people over elites. After relocating to Hokkaido in 2014 and training for three years under Takahiko Soga at Domaine Takahiko, Akagi set out to make genuinely approachable natural wines rooted in the land. Operating from a beautifully renovated stone storehouse that once stored apples with natural snow cooling, the winery practices organic viticulture with no synthetic pesticides, wild yeast fermentation, and minimal sulfur additions. Wines are deliberately Lo-Fi—pure expressions of the vineyard and the farmer's intent, never pretentious, always for people.
lowbrowcraft.jp/ ↗Cuvées
ももももも
MOMOMOM
RedZweigelt
A vibrant, fruit-forward red made from Zweigelt vines first planted at the estate in 2021. The wine shows lively red cherry, cranberry, and subtle herbal notes with medium body, silky tannins, and bright acidity. The name 'MOMOMOM' references the Japanese word 'momo' (桃, peach), hinting at the wine's expressive fruit character. Fresh and never heavy, this is natural red wine at its most approachable and joyful.
ロードランナー 旅路
Roadrunner TABIJI
SparklingRoséTabiji
A delightfully unconventional pétillant made from Tabiji (旅路), a rare indigenous Japanese variety historically known as 'Beni-Shiotan,' native to Hokkaido's Otaru/Niki region. Wild yeast fermented with no added SO2, this wine showcases strawberry, cherry, and subtle acerola aromatics with a pale orange-rosé color. Each sip offers subtle variation—a wine that rewards attentive tasting despite its casual presentation. A living piece of Hokkaido's viticultural heritage.
ナイアガラ
Naigara
SparklingNiagara
A playful, approachable sparkling wine made from locally-sourced Niagara grapes using traditional in-bottle secondary fermentation. Inspired by Belgian-style craft beer culture in its accessibility and food-pairing friendliness. Vibrant citrus (yuzu, orange peel) and stone fruit aromatics lead to a fresh, crisp palate with subtle mineral salinity. Designed for casual enjoyment—this is sparkling wine without the ceremony.
ポップポップ
POPPOPOP
WhitePinot Gris
An expressive, boundary-pushing orange wine made from LOW BROW CRAFT's own Pinot Gris vines. Extended skin maceration during fermentation imparts a pale amber color and layered complexity: honeyed stone fruit, dried apricot, and herbal notes (white pepper, fennel). Crisp acidity and a mineral backbone provide structure. The name 'POPPOPOP' suggests playful auditory delight—this wine pops with flavor and refuses conventional categorization. A wine for adventurous palates willing to question what white wine can be.
ローブロウクラフト ピノノワール
Low Brow Craft Pinot Noir
RedPinot Noir
Pinot Noir from LOW BROW CRAFT in Yoichi, made by Manabu Akagi after training at Domaine Takahiko under Takahiko Soga. Yoichi's cool volcanic terroir produces Pinot Noir with bright red berry character, elegant acidity, and silky tannins. Minimal intervention—wild yeast, minimal sulfur—lets the vineyard speak directly through the glass.
ローブロウクラフト ブラン
Low Brow Craft Blanc
WhiteChardonnay
A fresh, mineral-driven white wine from LOW BROW CRAFT, made with Chardonnay grown in Yoichi's cool maritime climate. Wild yeast fermented with minimal intervention, it expresses the clean acidity and subtle stone fruit character that Yoichi's volcanic soils deliver. Unfussy and honest—exactly what this winery stands for.
Who Is This For?
For wine explorers who reject snobbery and seek honest, natural wines with a sense of place; those who appreciate countercultural aesthetics, Japanese craft heritage, and wines that feel more like music than ceremony.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What does 'LOWBROW' mean in the winery's name?
- It refers to the Lowbrow Art movement—1960s American street art that democratized art for everyday people over elites. The winery applies this ethos to wine: great wine should be for everyone, not just wealthy collectors.
- Who is the winemaker behind LOW BROW CRAFT?
- Manabu Akagi founded the winery in 2022 after training for three years at Domaine Takahiko, one of Hokkaido's most respected natural wine producers. His background gives him both technical rigor and a genuine commitment to minimal intervention.
- Are LOW BROW CRAFT wines organic?
- Yes. The vineyard uses no synthetic pesticides or fungicides. Wild yeast fermentation and minimal sulfur additions reflect a consistent philosophy of letting nature lead.
- Why do the wine labels reference punk and pop culture?
- Akagi's labels—inspired by concert posters, bands, and street art—are conversation starters. They signal that wine can be fun, not intimidating, and belong in the same cultural space as music and street culture.
- Where can I buy LOW BROW CRAFT wines?
- Production is extremely limited (~8,000–10,000 bottles per year), and demand routinely exceeds supply. Key retailers include Grenache (grenache.co.jp), THE CELLAR, and select Japanese natural wine specialists. New releases sell out quickly.