About this wine
NORA Blanc is the flagship white wine of Nora-Kura, Ken and Kazuko Sasaki's pioneering natural wine estate in Hokuto City, southern Hokkaido. Made from 100% Chardonnay grown on the couple's own south-facing vineyard overlooking Hakodate Bay, the wine is fermented with indigenous wild yeast and aged in old (non-new) barrels of roughly 450 liters, without added sulfur, fining, or filtration. The result is a richly textured, mineral-driven Chardonnay with aromas of white peach, apricot, citrus, honeysuckle and a touch of white pepper and vanilla, framed by vibrant acidity. Alcohol typically ranges from around 12% to 14% depending on vintage conditions. Produced in extremely limited volume, NORA Blanc is one of the most sought-after bottles in Japanese natural wine, frequently selling out immediately and commanding high prices on the secondary market.
A textured, honeyed Chardonnay that shows how expressive Japanese natural wine can be — approachable in fruit, but layered enough to reward attention.
Sommelier's Note
"One of Hokkaido's defining natural Chardonnays — layered, honeyed, and precisely balanced by racy acidity. If you see a bottle, buy it; it rarely stays on shelves."
Food Pairings
Excellent with roast chicken and other white meats, cream-based sauces, and aged soft or semi-hard cheeses. Its vivid acidity also suits shellfish and lean, delicate fish preparations.
When to drink it
A celebratory bottle for special dinners or moments when you want to share a rare, highly regarded expression of Japanese natural winemaking.
Specs
- Grape Varieties
- Chardonnay
- Style
- White
- Price Range
- ¥5,000-8,000 (retail; frequently unavailable due to limited production)
Terroir & Winemaking
100% Chardonnay from Nora-Kura's own vineyard in the Bungetsu district of Hokuto City. Hand-harvested, fermented with indigenous wild yeast, and aged in used (non-new) oak barrels of roughly 450 liters (demi-muid). No sulfur dioxide is added at any stage, and the wine is bottled unfined and unfiltered. Alcohol content varies by vintage, typically in the 12-14% range.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What grape is NORA Blanc made from?
- It is a 100% Chardonnay, grown on Nora-Kura's own vineyard in Hokuto City, southern Hokkaido.
- What does NORA Blanc taste like?
- Expect white peach, apricot, citrus and honeysuckle aromas layered over a mineral, slightly savory backbone, with vibrant acidity and a textured, oak-aged mouthfeel.
- Is NORA Blanc easy to find?
- No — production is extremely limited, and the wine typically sells out immediately upon release, often reappearing at much higher prices on the secondary market.
- What food pairs well with NORA Blanc?
- Roast white meats, creamy sauces and aged soft cheeses are classic pairings, while its acidity also works beautifully with Japanese dishes like sashimi, grilled fish, and tempura.
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Talk to the SommelierMore wines from this producer
ノラ・ルージュ
NORA Rouge
RedMerlot · Zweigelt · Pinot Noir
NORA Rouge is the flagship red blend of Nora-Kura, the pioneering natural wine estate of Ken and Kazuko Sasaki in Hokuto City, Hokkaido. The blend combines Merlot grown in Oshima, Zweigelt and Pinot Noir from Yoichi, and Pinot Noir from the Sasakis' own Bungetsu vineyard, fermented entirely with indigenous yeast and bottled with no added sulfites. True to the Nora series' identity, the label deliberately omits the grape composition, inviting drinkers to taste without preconception. The result is a light-to-medium-bodied red with pure fruit, saline minerality, and a distinctive umami depth reminiscent of dashi broth, aged around seven months in neutral oak before release.
ノラ・ブラン 文月
NORA Blanc Fumizuki
WhiteChardonnay
NORA Blanc Fumizuki is Nora-Kura's most prized white cuvée, made exclusively from the best-ripening section of the estate's Fumizuki vineyard in Hokuto City, Hokkaido. Unlike the winery's standard Nora Blanc, this bottling is produced only in exceptional vintages when the fruit from this specific plot reaches outstanding ripeness and concentration — in lesser years it is simply not made. Hand-harvested, wild-yeast fermented, and aged in used 450L oak barrels, it is bottled without fining, filtration, or added sulfur. The result is a barrel-fermented Chardonnay of remarkable texture and purity, showing notes of golden citrus, curry leaf, fennel seed, and custard cream layered over a fine, mineral-driven backbone.
ノラポン・ルージュ
Norapon Rouge
RedMerlot · Yama Sauvignon · Zweigelt
Norapon Rouge is the entry-line red from Hokkaido's pioneering natural wine estate Nora-Kura, crafted by Ken and Kazuko Sasaki. Unlike the flagship Nora series drawn from the estate's own vineyard, Norapon is built from carefully selected contract-grower fruit sourced across Hokkaido, celebrating the breadth and diversity of the region's terroir. The wine follows Nora-Kura's signature minimal-intervention philosophy — wild-yeast fermentation, little to no added sulfur — and is designed to be approachable and food-friendly while still carrying the vivid acidity and umami-tinged character that defines the winery's style.