About AKA
- Style
- Red
- Grape Varieties
- Merlot, Bijou Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, Black Queen, Muscat Bailey A
- Price Range
- ¥3,520
- Alcohol
- 11%
AKA is Shiojiri Farm (Domaine Sourire)'s everyday red, a five-variety field blend of Merlot, Bijou Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, Black Queen, and Muscat Bailey A grown on the winery's own Kikyogahara vineyards. Where labels like Merlot 119 and Cabernet Sauvignon 320 showcase single parcels under the '1 vineyard, 1 label' policy, AKA takes the opposite approach: blending the estate's core red varieties into one approachable, everyday bottle. The 2025 vintage marks the debut release under new head winemaker Yoshinobu Karasawa, whose back-to-basics philosophy focuses on letting each grape's character shine through careful sorting. It shows concentrated dark berry aromas layered with spice, firm tannins, and a bold, food-friendly finish built for grilled and roasted meats.
AKA proves an everyday blend doesn't have to be simple — five estate varieties in one bottle, unapologetically built for grilled meat.
New to wine?
An easy-drinking, budget-friendly entry point into Shiojiri red wine — bold enough for BBQ night, simple enough for everyday tables.
Food Pairings
Built for hearty, smoky meat dishes: grilled beef steaks, yakiniku, BBQ ribs, and roasted lamb all stand up well to its tannin and spice.
When to drink it
Casual BBQ, yakiniku night, everyday dinners with grilled or roasted meat
Terroir & Winemaking
Five-variety field blend (Merlot, Bijou Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, Black Queen, Muscat Bailey A) from estate vines in the Kikyogahara wine valley, Shiojiri. 11.0% ABV. 2025 is the first vintage under new head winemaker Yoshinobu Karasawa, with revised bunch/berry sorting to emphasize varietal character.
About the producer
Shiojiri Farm (Domaine Sourire)One-vineyard, one-label wines reviving Shiojiri's old vines塩尻市, 長野県 · Founded 2019Visit the producer page →Frequently Asked Questions
- What grape varieties are blended into AKA?
- AKA is a five-variety field blend of Merlot, Bijou Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, Black Queen, and Muscat Bailey A, all grown on Shiojiri Farm's own Kikyogahara vineyards.
- What does AKA taste like?
- Concentrated dark berry and black pepper aromas lead into a powerful, tannic palate with a spicy, food-friendly finish — bold rather than delicate.
- What food pairs well with AKA?
- Grilled and smoky meat dishes are the natural match: beef steaks, yakiniku, BBQ ribs, and roasted lamb all hold up to its tannin and spice.
- Is AKA different from Shiojiri Farm's single-variety labels like Merlot 119?
- Yes. While Merlot 119 and Cabernet Sauvignon 320 follow the winery's '1 vineyard, 1 label' single-parcel policy, AKA blends five core red varieties into one everyday, more affordable bottle.
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