Takahashi Farm
高橋農園
Former dairy farm transformed into Hokkaido's boldest Sauvignon Blanc terroir — defying latitude limits at 43°N.
A pioneer grape-growing farm in Sunagawa, Sorachi, Hokkaido, founded by Takahashi Shoji, a former dairy farmer who converted his pastureland in Higashi-Toyonuma into a Sauvignon Blanc vineyard in 2016. Despite the conventional wisdom that Sunagawa (latitude 43°N) lacked sufficient sunshine hours for Sauvignon Blanc, Takahashi defied this assumption and planted 2,600 vines on his former ranch. The grapes are supplied to 10R Winery (Kamihoro, Iwamizawa) for vinification under the KWtN ('Kamihoro Wine and Friends') label. The vineyard sits on elevated ground in a warm, west-facing aspect, sheltered by surrounding countryside. Farming is done without chemical fertilizers, following low-intervention principles. The farm is now managed by Shinbo Rika, who succeeded Takahashi Shoji and aims to build a dedicated winery in Sunagawa by 2028.
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Who Is This For?
Wine lovers curious about Hokkaido's emerging terroirs, fans of crisp aromatic whites, and anyone who enjoys a compelling underdog story behind the bottle.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is Takahashi Farm?
- Takahashi Farm (高橋農園 / 東豊沼高橋農場) is a small grape-growing farm in Sunagawa, Hokkaido, converted from a dairy farm to a Sauvignon Blanc vineyard in 2016 by Takahashi Shoji. The grapes are exclusively supplied to 10R Winery for the KWtN label.
- Why is Sunagawa unusual for Sauvignon Blanc?
- Sunagawa sits at latitude 43°N in the Sorachi district of Hokkaido. Conventional wisdom holds that its sunshine hours are insufficient for Sauvignon Blanc ripening, making Takahashi Farm's successful cultivation a noteworthy achievement in Japanese wine.
- Does Takahashi Farm have its own winery?
- Not yet. Vinification is contracted to 10R Winery in Iwamizawa. The current manager, Shinbo Rika, is working toward opening a dedicated winery in Sunagawa around 2028.
- How is the vineyard farmed?
- The vineyard follows low-intervention farming without chemical fertilizers, on a warm west-facing slope in Higashi-Toyonuma, Sunagawa.
- What wines are made from Takahashi Farm grapes?
- The main wine is KWtN Takahashi Farm Sunagawa Sauvignon Blanc, released annually by 10R Winery under the KWtN ('Kamihoro Wine and Friends') label. The farm also releases its own wine, 'Grace du Ranch', occasionally.