NIKI Hills Winery VINIFERA Pinot Noir

About this wine

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.

Sommelier's Note

"This is a definitive benchmark for Hokkaido Pinot Noir: its wild-ferment umami, bonito-dashi minerality, and silky structure make it unmistakably Japanese — and unmistakably world-class."

Food Pairings

Pairs beautifully with roasted duck, grilled fish, and light meat dishes. Exceptional with Japanese cuisine: seared herring (shime-nishin), grilled yellowtail, grilled shiitake mushrooms, and nikujaga (beef and potato stew). The wine's umami-driven profile and delicate acidity harmonise with soy sauce and dashi-based dishes.

When to drink it

Ideal for intimate dinners, special celebrations, and as a sophisticated gift for wine enthusiasts who appreciate cool-climate expressions. Perfect for a relaxed evening paired with Japanese cuisine.

Specs

Grape Varieties

Pinot Noir

Style

Red

Price Range

¥6,000–7,500 (tax included, per 750ml bottle)

Terroir & Winemaking

100% estate Pinot Noir from Niki Town, Hokkaido. Fermented entirely with wild yeast; 20% whole-cluster and 80% destemmed grapes, with maceration periods of 5 weeks (80%) and 16 weeks (20%). Aged 7 months in French oak barrels. Approximately 3,300 bottles produced. Awards: Silver Medal, IWC 2025; Bronze Medal (88 pts), DWWA 2025.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does NIKI Hills Winery VINIFERA Pinot Noir taste like?

It offers sweet-and-sour red berries, black tea, clove, and subtle cinnamon on the nose, with a silky palate, bonito-dashi umami, and a long, elegant finish driven by bright acidity.

What food pairs best with NIKI Hills VINIFERA Pinot Noir?

It shines alongside roasted duck, grilled fish, and Japanese cuisine — especially seared herring, grilled yellowtail, and nikujaga. Its umami profile makes it a natural match for soy and dashi-based dishes.

How is this wine made?

Grapes from NIKI Hills' own estate in Hokkaido are fermented entirely with wild yeast using a blend of whole-cluster and destemmed fruit, then aged 7 months in French oak for approximately 3,300 bottles per vintage.

What awards has NIKI Hills VINIFERA Pinot Noir won?

The 2023 vintage won a Silver Medal at the International Wine Challenge (IWC) 2025 and a Bronze Medal (88 points) at the Decanter World Wine Awards (DWWA) 2025.

When is the best time to drink NIKI Hills VINIFERA Pinot Noir?

It is enjoyable upon release and will continue to develop beautifully over the next 3 to 5 years as the wild-yeast complexity and fruit integrate further.