Rue de Vin
リュードヴァン
Trailblazing pioneer of the Chikumagawa Wine Valley: Hideaki Koyama reclaimed abandoned farmland to craft elegant, terroir-honest wines — Burgundy-inspired Chardonnay and Loire-esque Sauvignon Blanc — with minimal intervention at altitudes up to 700 m in the cool highlands of Tomi.
Rue de Vin is a pioneering estate winery in Tomi City, Nagano Prefecture, founded by Hideaki Koyama in 2008. Koyama, a former electronics engineer, relocated to Tomi to reclaim abandoned apple orchards and transformed roughly 5.5 hectares of overgrown land into thriving vineyards. Starting with commissioned winemaking at Villadest Winery in 2007, the estate opened its own cellar in 2010. The name — French for "wine street" — embodies the vision of a wine-centred lifestyle radiating from a single street in Tomi to the wider community. Grape varieties include Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, Gewürztraminer, Pinot Gris, Cabernet Franc, and Gamay, all grown on cool-climate slopes with large diurnal temperature swings alongside the Chikumagawa (Chikuma River). Wines are made with minimal SO₂, no fining, and no filtration, letting the vintage express itself naturally. The estate also hosts a café-restaurant and a weekend chambre d'hôte guesthouse (opened 2020). A recipient of the Japan Winery Award (JWA 2025).
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Who Is This For?
Wine lovers who appreciate estate-grown, minimally intervened Japanese wine; visitors seeking an immersive winery experience with dining and accommodation; those who value the story of land reclamation and community-rooted viticulture in Japan.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What grape varieties does Rue de Vin grow?
- The estate cultivates more than 10 varieties across roughly 5.5 hectares, including Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, Gewürztraminer, Pinot Gris, Cabernet Franc, and Gamay. Hideaki Koyama considers Sauvignon Blanc to have the greatest potential in Tomi's terroir.
- What is the winemaking philosophy at Rue de Vin?
- Koyama believes that healthy fermentation produces naturally clean wine. He uses minimal SO₂, avoids fining and filtration, and opts for sustainable farming adapted to Japan's climate rather than strict organic certification. The goal is wine that honestly reflects the vintage and the land — accessible yet serious.
- Can I visit Rue de Vin?
- Yes. The winery in Tomi City, Nagano (405 Netsu, Tomi-shi) is open for paid tastings (10:00–17:00). There is also a café-restaurant serving seasonal pairings and a weekend chambre d'hôte guesthouse (Fri–Sun) with wine-paired dinners and French-style breakfast, opened in autumn 2020.