Pino Collina

ピノ・コッリーナ

Gold Medal winner at IWC 2025 (London) for Tsuruoka Koshu 2023 — a gravity-flow natural winery on historic samurai-cultivated land beneath Mt. Gassan in Shonai, Yamagata.

Pino Collina (Italian for "pine hill") is a boutique farm garden winery nestled on the historic Matsugaoka plateau in Tsuruoka City, Yamagata Prefecture, in the Shonai region of Japan. The winery was founded by Tsuyoshi Hayasaka, representative of Grand El-San, who was inspired during a 2016 visit to the Langhe Hills of Piedmont, Italy — a world-renowned wine-producing region — and recognized the striking visual resemblance between the Piedmontese landscape and Matsugaoka, framed by the sacred Mt. Gassan. In 2017, Hayasaka began planting the first vines on what had been historic mulberry orchards cultivated by former Shonai samurai after the Boshin War — the very land that gave birth to "Samurai Silk." Starting with Merlot, Pinot Noir, and Chardonnay, the vineyard has since expanded to seven plots with eight grape varieties and over 10,000 vines. Winemaking commenced in 2020, with the inaugural vintage released in 2021. Current grape varieties include Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Gris, Gewürztraminer, Pinot Noir, Merlot, Syrah, and Nebbiolo. Pino Collina practices natural (vin naturel) winemaking, minimizing human intervention to allow the unique terroir of Matsugaoka to express itself. The winery employs gravity-flow production methods, utilizing the natural slope of the land to move wine gently without pumping. Pesticide-free viticulture is practiced, with vine placement thoughtfully oriented to wind direction to protect crops naturally. The estate also upcycles pruned vine cuttings into smoke chips, embodying a deep commitment to sustainable farming. The winery has earned remarkable recognition: Tsuruoka Koshu 2023 won a Gold Medal (top award) at the International Wine Challenge (IWC) 2025 in London — one of the world's most prestigious wine competitions. Pino Collina also received a Sakura Award Gold in 2024, a Double Gold at the Japan Women's Wine Awards 2022, and a Connoisseurs Award (honourable mention) at the Japan Winery Awards (JWA) 2025. Their signature wines include Tsuruoka Koshu (an elegant Japanese white from Koshu grapes aged approximately 60 years), Frou Frou Blanc (Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc blend), Frou Frou Rouge (Syrah and Merlot blend), Frou Frou Pinot Noir, and Vestito Cielo (Gewürztraminer). A restaurant and shop on-site allow visitors to enjoy seasonal French-inspired cuisine while looking out over the vineyards toward snow-capped Mt. Gassan.