Is OTARUVALLEY BLUSH a rosé wine?

Not technically — OSA WINERY classifies it as a white wine on its own site, because the grapes (including Pinot Noir) are whole-cluster pressed with no skin maceration, exactly as for a white wine. Its pale pink-gold color comes only from brief pigment contact with the Pinot Noir skins during pressing.

What grapes go into OTARUVALLEY BLUSH?

A blend of Pinot Noir and Gewürztraminer grown in OSA WINERY's own Shioya vineyard in Otaru, Hokkaido — the 2024 vintage uses an equal 50/50 split, while the debut 2022 vintage was about 67% Pinot Noir to 33% Gewürztraminer.

How rare is this wine?

Very — production is limited to under 300 bottles per vintage (199 bottles for the 2024 release, 272 for the original 2022 vintage), and it has only been made twice.

What food pairs well with OTARUVALLEY BLUSH?

Its aromatic, off-dry character suits herb-forward dishes and richer preparations such as cream-braised chicken; serve slightly cool, not overly chilled, in a large white wine glass.

CuvéeHokkaidoWhite

OTARUVALLEY BLUSH

オタルバレーブラッシュ

OSA WINERY

About OTARUVALLEY BLUSH

Style: White
Grape Varieties: Pinot Noir, Gewürztraminer
Price Range: ¥7,700
Alcohol: 11%

OTARUVALLEY BLUSH is OSA WINERY's pale pink-gold wine from its estate vineyard in Shioya, Otaru, Hokkaido, blending two grapes said to share close genetic DNA: Pinot Noir and Gewürztraminer. Rather than macerating on skins, the whole-cluster grapes are pressed gently over about three hours in the same method used for white wine — OSA WINERY itself lists this bottling under its 'white wine' category — so the delicate sunset pink-gold hue comes purely from brief pigment contact with the Pinot Noir skins during pressing, not from skin maceration. Fermented and aged slowly in stainless steel to preserve aromatic freshness, it shows an exuberant nose of white rose, lychee, orange blossom and ripe stone fruit, with a soft attack, bright acidity and a saline finish reflecting the reddish volcanic-derived soil of the Shioya vineyard. First released in a tiny batch in 2022, it returned as a request-driven encore in 2024. The 2024 vintage is an equal 50/50 blend of the two grapes (the 2022 debut used roughly 67% Pinot Noir to 33% Gewürztraminer), with only 199 bottles produced.

Sommelier's Note

OTARUVALLEY BLUSH proves that a wine's color doesn't have to match its winemaking — pressed exactly like a white, it wears a rosé-toned dress while drinking with all the aromatic lift of a Gewürztraminer blend, and its sub-300-bottle production makes it one of the rarest pours to come out of Otaru.

New to wine?

A gentle, aromatic 'white wine in blush clothing' — technically a white, but its rose-and-lychee perfume and pink-gold hue make it an easy, eye-catching entry point for rosé lovers too.

Food Pairings

Best enjoyed slightly cool (not too cold) in a large white wine glass. Pairs well with aromatic herb-forward dishes and richer preparations such as cream-braised free-range chicken; suits festive, special-occasion menus.

When to drink it

Celebrations and special-occasion dinners; a striking pour for toasts or gifting thanks to its limited-edition status.

Terroir & Winemaking

Hand-sorted grapes are whole-cluster pressed over roughly three hours — the same technique used for white wine — with no skin maceration, so color comes only from brief pigment contact with the Pinot Noir skins during pressing. Fermented and aged slowly in stainless steel tanks to preserve the wine's aromatic potential. ABV approximately 11%. Extremely limited production (199 bottles in the 2024 vintage; 272 bottles in the 2022 debut vintage).

About the producer

OSA WINERYAromatic small-batch wines from Otaru's stone warehouse小樽市, 北海道 · Founded 2015Visit the producer page →

More wines from OSA WINERY

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is OTARUVALLEY BLUSH a rosé wine?: Not technically — OSA WINERY classifies it as a white wine on its own site, because the grapes (including Pinot Noir) are whole-cluster pressed with no skin maceration, exactly as for a white wine. Its pale pink-gold color comes only from brief pigment contact with the Pinot Noir skins during pressing.
What grapes go into OTARUVALLEY BLUSH?: A blend of Pinot Noir and Gewürztraminer grown in OSA WINERY's own Shioya vineyard in Otaru, Hokkaido — the 2024 vintage uses an equal 50/50 split, while the debut 2022 vintage was about 67% Pinot Noir to 33% Gewürztraminer.
How rare is this wine?: Very — production is limited to under 300 bottles per vintage (199 bottles for the 2024 release, 272 for the original 2022 vintage), and it has only been made twice.
What food pairs well with OTARUVALLEY BLUSH?: Its aromatic, off-dry character suits herb-forward dishes and richer preparations such as cream-braised chicken; serve slightly cool, not overly chilled, in a large white wine glass.

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