NIKI Hills Winery VINIFERA Chardonnay
NIKIヒルズ・ワイナリー ヴィニフェラ シャルドネ
NIKI Hills Winery
Chardonnay
About this wine
NIKI Hills' flagship VINIFERA Chardonnay, produced from the best-selected blocks of their estate vineyard in Niki Town. Barrel fermented and aged on lees (sur lie), this wine represents the pinnacle of what the cool Yoichi terroir can achieve — with a richer texture, greater complexity, and longer aging potential than the Natur line.
The step-up from Natur — more depth, more barrel influence, more occasion; best approached with food
Sommelier's Note
"NIKI Hills at its absolute peak — the DWWA 2025 gold-medal, 96-point barrel-fermented sur lie Chardonnay that proved Hokkaido can produce world-class white wines"
Food Pairings
A natural match for pan-seared Hokkaido scallops in beurre blanc, white fish with beurre blanc sauce, Hokkaido sea urchin pasta, and aged Comté. Also excellent with abalone and Hokkaido king crab.
When to drink it
Fine dining, anniversary dinners, premium Hokkaido seafood pairings, wine collector occasions
Specs
- Grape Varieties
- Chardonnay
- Style
- White
- Price Range
- ~$115 / ¥17,600
Terroir & Winemaking
Best-block estate Chardonnay; barrel fermented and aged on lees (sur lie) for enhanced texture and complexity. Higher proportion of new oak than the Natur line. Limited production from hand-selected fruit.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the difference between VINIFERA and Natur Chardonnay?
- VINIFERA uses fruit from the best-selected blocks of the estate, with barrel fermentation and extended sur lie aging for greater texture and complexity. Natur is the approachable estate expression; VINIFERA is the prestige tier with more aging potential and depth.
- What does VINIFERA Chardonnay taste like?
- Rich and layered with tropical fruit, hazelnut, and lemon curd, underpinned by a taut mineral acidity from Yoichi's volcanic soils. The sur lie aging adds a creamy texture and long finish that evolves beautifully in the glass.
- How long should I age VINIFERA Chardonnay?
- It can be enjoyed upon release but rewards 3–7 years of cellaring. The balance of richness from barrel fermentation and the natural cool-climate acidity give it excellent aging potential.
- What food is best with VINIFERA Chardonnay?
- Premium Hokkaido seafood: scallops in beurre blanc, sea urchin pasta, abalone. Also exceptional with aged Comté, foie gras-based dishes, and lobster bisque.
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Talk to the SommelierMore wines from this producer
NIKIヒルズ・ワイナリー ナテュール ピノ・ノワール
NIKI Hills Winery Natur Pinot Noir
RedPinot Noir
A natural-style Pinot Noir from NIKI Hills Winery's own estate vineyard in Niki, Hokkaido, crafted with 100% wild yeast fermentation and no added sulfites. The wine captures the cold-climate terroir of the Asahidai hillside, where Yoichi Bay mists and large diurnal temperature swings yield grapes of refined concentration. The color shifts from rooibos red to garnet; the nose offers sweet-sour red berries layered with black tea, cinnamon, and a delicate floral lift. On the palate, plum-candy acidity harmonizes with a subtle savory umami character and silky tannins, ending with an earthy, mineral length characteristic of Niki's volcanic soils.
NIKIヒルズ・ワイナリー ナテュール シャルドネ
NIKI Hills Winery Natur Chardonnay
WhiteChardonnay
NIKI Hills' premium estate Chardonnay from volcanic hillside vineyards in Nikki town. Rich yet fresh with characteristic mineral tension from the cool Yoichi climate.
NIKIヒルズ・ワイナリー ヴィニフェラ ピノ・ノワール
NIKI Hills Winery VINIFERA Pinot Noir
RedPinot Noir
Crafted from 100% estate-grown Pinot Noir in Niki, Hokkaido, this wine embodies the cool-climate terroir of northern Japan. It features a delicate color ranging from rooibos red to garnet. The palate offers charming sweet-and-sour red berry fruitiness layered with nuanced aromas of fermented tea — black tea and cinnamon — alongside subtle notes of clove, fallen leaves, and bonito dashi. With a silky texture and bright, elegant acidity, it reflects NIKI Hills Winery's meticulous winemaking, fermented with wild yeast and aged 7 months in French oak to produce approximately 3,300 bottles.