Misono Vineyard
ミソノ・ヴィンヤード
Estate Pinot Noir across 6 clones on east-facing volcanic hillsides; no-addition, wild-yeast, unfiltered winemaking inspired by Burgundy; rare coastal Albariño from sea-adjacent Yoichi.
Misono Vineyard was founded in 2019 by Muneo Matsumura—a former wine bar owner who specialized in Burgundy and Champagne—on 6 hectares of east-facing hillside in Yoichi, Hokkaido, overlooking Ishikari Bay. Matsumura studied viticulture at the Chikumagawa Wine Academy in Nagano before establishing the vineyard. The winery received its license in 2021, becoming the 15th winery in Yoichi. Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Albariño are the estate's primary plantings, joined by heritage Delaware and Niagara vines (30–50 years old) inherited from the previous orchard owner. All wines are made without added sugar, acid, or fermentation aids, using wild yeast and remaining unfiltered. Misono Vineyard co-hosts tasting events with neighboring 10R Winery.
www.misono-vineyard.com ↗Cuvées
シャルドネ
Chardonnay
WhiteChardonnay
Chardonnay sourced from Yoichi, made with wild yeast, no additions, and unfiltered. The 2022 vintage (from grapes purchased at Soma Farm in Yoichi's Nobori district) shows aromas of herbs, white pepper, and pear, with refined fruit, lively acidity, mineral character, and a spicy finish. A Burgundy-inspired expression of Hokkaido's volcanic coastal terroir.
ピノ・ノワール
Pinot Noir
RedPinot Noir
Estate Pinot Noir from Misono Vineyard's east-facing hillside in Yoichi, made from 6 clones (777, 115, UCD5, UCD6, MV6, X) planted on volcanic slopes overlooking Ishikari Bay. Wild-yeast fermented, no additions, unfiltered. The 2023 vintage shows the vineyard's signature fine, persistent acidity—described by the winemaker as resembling Jura's Poulsard in its delicacy—with the note that 2–3 years of bottle aging will better integrate the fruit and acid. Production is around 993 bottles.
アルバリーニョ
Albariño
WhiteAlbariño
Albariño planted on east-facing hillsides of Yoichi overlooking the Sea of Japan. Trained in a pergola system similar to Galicia and Portugal, the grape was chosen for its affinity with the coastal environment—Yoichi's proximity to the sea mirrors the Atlantic conditions where Albariño thrives. Wild-yeast fermented, no additions, unfiltered.
オレンジ・デラウエア
Orange Delaware
orangeDelaware
Orange wine made from 30-year-old heritage Delaware vines inherited from the previous orchard owner. Destemmed, crushed, and macerated on skins and seeds with wild yeast and no SO2 for several days, then bottled unfiltered after secondary in-bottle fermentation (petillant naturel style). The 2022 vintage was sold at ¥2,750.
ソーヴィニヨン・ブラン
Sauvignon Blanc
WhiteSauvignon Blanc
Sauvignon Blanc from Yoichi, trained in vertical shoot positioning (VSP). The 2024 vintage shows grassy notes, lemon and grapefruit aromas, sufficient body, and subtle complex acidity. Wild-yeast fermented, no additions, unfiltered.
アンバー・ナイアガラ
Amber Niagara
orangeNiagara
Amber-hued orange wine from 50-year-old heritage Niagara vines, produced using 19 days of skin contact. The 2023 vintage reflects a hot, rainy season in Yoichi in which the old Niagara vines ripened exceptionally well, contributing depth, concentration, and complexity from the extended maceration. Priced at ¥3,080.
Who Is This For?
Natural wine enthusiasts seeking Japanese Pinot Noir; Burgundy lovers curious about Hokkaido terroir; those who want small-production, no-addition wines made with genuine craft.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Who founded Misono Vineyard and what is their background?
- Muneo Matsumura, who previously ran a Burgundy-focused wine bar in Aoyama, Tokyo, founded Misono Vineyard in 2019. He studied viticulture at the Chikumagawa Wine Academy in Nagano in 2018 before purchasing hillside land in Yoichi to pursue his vision of producing Burgundy-style Pinot Noir in Hokkaido.
- What grape varieties does Misono Vineyard grow?
- The estate's primary plantings are Pinot Noir (6 clones: 777, 115, UCD5, UCD6, MV6, X), Chardonnay (4 clones), and Albariño, all on east-facing hillsides. The vineyard also has 30- and 50-year-old Delaware and Niagara vines inherited from the previous orchard owner, used for heritage-style wines.
- What does 'no-addition winemaking' mean at Misono Vineyard?
- Misono Vineyard adds nothing beyond the grapes themselves: no chapitalization (added sugar), no acid additions, no fermentation aids, and no filtration. Fermentation relies solely on wild native yeast. This approach, combined with no-till grass cultivation in the vineyard, aims to express the purest possible terroir.
- Where can I buy Misono Vineyard wines?
- Misono Vineyard wines are sold through specialty Japanese wine retailers such as Shonan Wine Cellar and Cave de Relax online store, as well as at tasting events the winery co-hosts with 10R Winery. Production is extremely limited—some cuvées are under 200 bottles—so early ordering is recommended.
- Does Misono Vineyard offer vineyard visits or tastings?
- The winery co-hosts tasting events with 10R Winery in Yoichi, where visitors can sample 7–8 wines over two hours. For the latest event schedules, follow the winery's website or social media.