Sakai Winery
酒井ワイナリー
Tohoku's oldest winery — where a 130-year-old cellar, wild birds, and wild yeast make wine together
Founded in 1892 in the hot-spring town of Akayu, Nanyo City, Yamagata Prefecture, Sakai Winery is the oldest winery in the Tohoku region of Japan. Established by Yasou Sakai, the 16th-generation head of the Sakai family, on a steep hillside called Toriagezaka ('the slope of the soaring birds'), the winery has produced wine in the same location for over 130 years. In 2004, fifth-generation winemaker Ippei Sakai — a graduate of Tokyo University of Agriculture's Department of Brewing — took over and led a transformational return to the winery's founding-era methods: wild-yeast fermentation, no filtration (the winery has never owned a filtration machine), no fining, and minimal sulfur. All wines are released under the 'BIRDUP' brand with each cuvée named after wild birds (shijukara/great tit, jobitaki/Daurian redstart, aogera/Japanese green woodpecker) that inhabit the vineyards and surrounding Akayu countryside.
www.sakai-winery.jp/ ↗Cuvées
マスカットベーリーA ブラッククイーン
Muscat Bailey A Black Queen
RedMuscat Bailey A · Black Queen
Sakai Winery, the oldest winery in the Tohoku region, crafts this unique red wine by blending Muscat Bailey A and Black Queen grapes harvested from their own vineyards in Akayu, Yamagata. Following their traditional philosophy, the wine is produced using a non-filtration method to preserve the purity of the fruit. It offers a mellow, fruit-forward aroma with comfortable tannins and a balanced acidity, resulting in a gentle, deeply satisfying taste that reflects the cool climate and mineral-rich terroir of the region.
バーダップワイン 白
Birdup Wine White
WhiteDelaware · Koshu · Rosario Rosso
Sakai Winery, the oldest winery in the Tohoku region founded in 1892, produces this iconic natural wine. The name 'Birdup' is derived from 'Toriagezaka' (the slope of the soaring birds), the historic vineyard site in Akayu, Nanyo City. This white wine is crafted with a minimal intervention philosophy, often utilizing wild yeast fermentation and non-filtered methods. The blend of grape varieties, primarily Delaware, varies by vintage, reflecting the unique character of each harvest. It typically presents a slightly hazy, pale yellow appearance with refreshing aromas of toasted yeast, quince, apricot, and lemongrass. The palate is mellow and balanced, offering a crisp, clean finish that captures the essence of Yamagata's terroir.
名子山
Nagoyama
RedCabernet Sauvignon · Merlot
Sakai Winery, the oldest winery in the Tohoku region founded in 1892, produces this flagship red wine from its own vineyard in the Nagoyama area of Akayu. Crafted using wild yeast fermentation, no filtration, and no fining, it is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot aged in oak barrels for 12 months. It offers complex aromas of cassis, cedar, and spices, with a structured palate of rich fruit and soft, integrated tannins reflecting the unique terroir of the Yamagata mountains.
Who Is This For?
For the natural wine lover who values provenance, philosophy, and wines that taste unmistakably of where they come from — someone who wants to find Japan's own terroir, not an imitation of Europe
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the BIRDUP brand and why are the wines named after birds?
- BIRDUP is Sakai Winery's brand name, derived from 'Toriagezaka' (鳥上坂), the steep hillside where founder Yasou Sakai planted the first vines in 1887 — literally 'the slope of the soaring birds,' anglicized to 'Bird Up.' Continuing this theme, fifth-generation winemaker Ippei Sakai names each cuvée after wild birds that actually inhabit the vineyards: Shijukara (great tit), Jobitaki (Daurian redstart), Aogera (green woodpecker), Haitaka (sparrowhawk), Kawasemi (kingfisher), and others.
- Why has Sakai Winery never used a filtration machine?
- Since the winery's founding in 1892, clarity has been achieved entirely through natural sedimentation — allowing the wine to settle in underground cellars until the clear supernatant can be carefully drawn off. Ippei Sakai describes this as the winery's 'original technology,' which he considers as relevant today as it was 130 years ago. The approach aligns with his broader philosophy: 'Technology imitates nature.'
- What grape varieties does Sakai Winery grow?
- The primary variety is Delaware (デラウェア), known locally by its old name 'Kohime' (Little Princess), grown across several parcels at Toriagezaka and expressed as still whites, orange wines, and pétillant naturel. Other key varieties include Muscat Bailey A and Black Queen (red hybrids), Koshu and Pinot Gris (whites), and Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot for the prestige Nagoko-yama red blend.