Okutoya Winery
奥洞爺ワイナリー（仲とうや醸造所）
Sobetsu's first-ever locally brewed wine, from a lakeside orchard.
Okutoya Winery (operated by Nakatoya Winery Co.) is a nascent producer in the Naka-Toya district of Sobetsu, Hokkaido, overlooking Lake Toya. It was founded by Kazuo Nagatsuma — founder of prefab-housing manufacturer Sankyo Frontier — who was captivated by the lake's sunset views, built a villa there, and took over a disused orchard to begin grape cultivation in 2019. The winery's fermentation and storage facility was completed in 2025, obtained its brewing license that September, and released its debut vintage of seven red and white wines (about 2,000 bottles total) shortly after — the first wine ever brewed within Sobetsu Town.
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Who Is This For?
For explorers of Japan's newest micro-wineries and fans of Hokkaido terroir stories — especially those curious how a housing entrepreneur's retirement passion project became Sobetsu Town's very first winery.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Where is Okutoya Winery located?
- In the Naka-Toya district of Sobetsu, Hokkaido, on the shore of Lake Toya, across from the Naka-Toya campground.
- Who founded Okutoya Winery?
- Kazuo Nagatsuma, founder of prefab-housing maker Sankyo Frontier, who began growing grapes on a reclaimed orchard there in 2019 after falling for the lake's sunset views.
- When did the winery start producing wine?
- Its brewing facility was completed in 2025 and obtained a license that September, releasing a debut vintage of seven red and white wines totaling about 2,000 bottles shortly after — the first wine ever brewed in Sobetsu Town.
- What wines does Okutoya Winery make?
- A dry Chardonnay made from 100% Sobetsu-grown grapes, and a Yama Sauvignon red currently made with fruit sourced from Chiba Prefecture while the estate's own young Hokkaido vines mature.
- Can visitors tour the winery?
- Yes, the facility includes a tasting space and allows visitors to observe the brewing process.