About NIKI Hills Winery VINIFERA Pinot Noir
- Style
- Red
- Grape Varieties
- Pinot Noir
- Price Range
- ¥6,000–7,500
- tax included, per 750ml bottle
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.
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.
New to wine?
A perfect entry point into Japanese cool-climate Pinot Noir. Light, elegant, and refreshing with approachable red berry fruit and a silky finish — an easy recommendation for anyone exploring Japanese wine.
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.
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.
About the producer
NIKI Hills WineryJapan's Decanter gold-winning estate — 96-point Chardonnay from Hokkaido's cool volcanic hills仁木町, 北海道 · Founded 2014Visit the producer page →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.
Want to know more about this wine?
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