Rita Farm & Winery
リタファーム&ワイナリー
Yoichi's natural wine pioneer — sea breeze vineyards, wild yeast, zero compromise
Rita Farm & Winery was founded in 2013 by Yuriko Sugawara, a Yoichi native who transformed from wine importer to natural winemaker after a single glass of French natural Chardonnay sparkling changed her life. Together with her husband, she converted a former apple orchard in Yoichi's Nobori district into the 'Wind Vineyard' — a 3-hectare south-facing plot at 40m elevation with volcanic ash silt soils. Sea breezes keep the vines healthy without pesticides, allowing Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir, and Merlot to ripen naturally. All wines are made with wild yeast fermentation, gravity-flow transfers, and coarse filtration only — Sugawara's vision of wine that 'absorbs into the body like water into skin.' Production is around 35,000 bottles annually.
www.rita-farm.jp/ ↗Cuvées
風のヴィンヤード メルロー
Kaze no Vineyard Merlot
RedMerlot
Crafted at Rita Farm & Winery in Yoichi, Hokkaido, this wine is made from 100% estate-grown Merlot. The grapes are harvested from the 'Kaze no Vineyard,' a site known for its excellent sunlight exposure. Following a philosophy of minimal intervention, the wine is fermented naturally with wild yeasts and aged in old barrels. It offers a light, natural, and elegant profile, characterized by notes of raspberry, blackberry, and cassis, with a silky texture and well-integrated tannins that reflect the unique terroir of Yoichi.
リタ ピノノワール
Rita Pinot Noir
RedPinot Noir
Rita Pinot Noir is a still red wine crafted by Rita Farm & Winery, a boutique domaine-style producer in the Noritani district of Yoichi, Hokkaido. Made from 100% estate-grown Pinot Noir from the Kaze no Vineyard (Wind Vineyard), grapes are harvested from both south- and north-facing plots and vinified using whole-cluster fermentation with wild yeast. Minimal intervention and gravity-based transfers preserve the delicate terroir expression. The wine offers aromas of raspberry, cinnamon, and leather that evolve beautifully with temperature, backed by soft, pleasant tannins and lively fruit.
風のヴィンヤード シャルドネ
Kaze no Vineyard Chardonnay
WhiteChardonnay
Produced by Rita Farm & Winery in Yoichi, Hokkaido, this Chardonnay is crafted exclusively from estate-grown grapes. The vineyard, named 'Kaze no Vineyard' (Windy Vineyard) for the southern winds that sweep through the Yoichi Bay, features a gentle southern slope. The winemaking process is minimal and natural, utilizing whole-bunch pressing, wild yeast fermentation in stainless steel tanks, and gravity-flow bottling to preserve the wine's integrity. It offers a refined profile with citrus aromas, a savory finish, plump fruitiness, and clean, vibrant acidity.
風のヴィンヤード ソーヴィニヨン・ブラン
Kaze no Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc
WhiteSauvignon Blanc
Produced by Rita Farm & Winery in Yoichi, Hokkaido, this Sauvignon Blanc is crafted from 100% estate-grown grapes. The vineyard, located on a gentle southern slope, is named 'Kaze no Vineyard' (Windy Vineyard) due to the strong winds blowing toward Yoichi Bay. The wine is made using wild yeast fermentation in stainless steel tanks, followed by sur lie aging to add depth and texture. It features a crisp, cool-climate acidity, vibrant citrus notes of grapefruit and lime, and a distinct mineral character. The winemaking process emphasizes minimal intervention, utilizing gravity flow for bottling to preserve the purity and natural essence of the terroir.
Who Is This For?
For those discovering that wine can feel as natural as drinking water — especially Japanese cuisine enthusiasts, natural wine newcomers, and those who usually shy away from wine
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is Rita Farm & Winery's winemaking philosophy?
- Minimum intervention, maximum terroir expression. All wines are made with wild yeast, gravity-flow transfers, and coarse filtration only — founder Yuriko Sugawara's goal is wine that 'absorbs into the body like water into skin.'
- What grapes does Rita Farm grow?
- The 'Wind Vineyard' grows Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir, and Merlot on a 3-hectare south-facing slope in Yoichi's Nobori district, plus several table grape varieties used for natural sparkling wines.
- Are Rita Farm wines suitable for people who don't usually drink wine?
- Yes — Sugawara started making wine specifically because she disliked conventional wine. Her target is accessibility: most bottles are priced under ¥4,000 and emphasize clean, smooth drinkability.
- Has Rita Farm won any awards?
- Kaze no Vineyard Pinot Noir 2019 won Silver and Sauvignon Blanc 2021 won Bronze at a UK-based international wine competition. International acclaim preceded domestic recognition — the winery was first discovered by a US importer.