Tokachi Wine
十勝ワイン
Japan's first municipally run winery (est. 1963), born from post-disaster town revival and famous for developing the indigenous cold-hardy Kiyomi and Yamasachi grape varieties from scratch.
Japan's oldest municipal winery, established in 1963 in Ikeda, Tokachi. Famous for the local Yamasachi and Kiyomi grape varieties bred specifically for the cold Tokachi climate.
www.tokachi-wine.com ↗Cuvées
十勝ワイン 清見
Tokachi Wine Kiyomi
RedKiyomi
Tokachi Wine Kiyomi is a signature red wine from Ikeda Town, Hokkaido, crafted from the unique 'Kiyomi' grape variety. Developed locally to withstand the region's harsh, cold climate, this hybrid grape is a clonal selection of the French Seibel 13053. The wine is characterized by its bright, youthful garnet hue, vibrant acidity, and a refined profile that balances fruitiness with subtle complexity. It is a testament to the pioneering spirit of Japan's first municipally managed winery, offering a distinct expression of Tokachi terroir cherished for over half a century.
十勝ワイン 山幸
Tokachi Wine Yamasachi
RedYamasachi
Tokachi Wine Yamasachi is a flagship red wine produced in Ikeda, Hokkaido, using the unique Yamasachi grape variety. This variety is a cross between Kiyomi and wild mountain grapes (Vitis amurensis), specifically bred to withstand the harsh, cold climate of northern Japan. The wine is characterized by its deep color, vibrant acidity, and distinct wild berry aromas, often accompanied by subtle earthy and spicy undertones. It has gained international recognition, including winning a gold medal at the Japan Wine Competition and the OIV award, showcasing the potential of Japanese cool-climate viticulture.
Who Is This For?
For wine lovers curious about the origins of Japanese cool-climate winemaking and indigenous grape varieties found nowhere else, and for visitors who want to combine tasting with a visit to the Wine Castle.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What makes Tokachi Wine historically significant?
- Tokachi Wine, produced by the Ikeda Town Grape and Wine Research Institute, was founded in 1963 as Japan's first municipally run winery. It began as a town revival project after Ikeda suffered the 1952 Tokachi offshore earthquake and two consecutive years of crop failure from cold damage, when then-mayor Kanho Marutani championed cultivating the wild mountain grapes growing on the town's unused slopes.
- What grape varieties does Tokachi Wine use?
- Tokachi Wine developed its own cold-hardy varieties: Kiyomi, selected from a bud mutation of Seibel 13053 over five growing seasons, and Yamasachi, created by crossing Kiyomi with wild mountain grapes (yamabudou, Vitis coignetiae). Of roughly 20,000 trial vines, only these two proved viable, and Yamasachi was officially registered with the OIV in 2020.
- Is Tokachi Wine dry or sweet?
- Tokachi Wine has consistently favored a dry style, aiming to express the natural acidity of grapes grown in its harsh, cold climate so the wine complements food rather than standing alone.
- Has Tokachi Wine won any awards?
- Yes. Its wines have earned international recognition since the 1960s, including a bronze medal at the 4th International Wine Competition in 1964 for Tokachi Ainu Budoshu, a gold medal in Romania in 1968, and grand prize/gold medals at the Bulgaria Wine & Cognac International Competition in both 1976 and 1984.
- Can visitors tour Tokachi Wine?
- Yes. The winery operates the Wine Castle (Ikeda Wine Castle), a European-castle-style building completed in 1974 that houses tasting rooms, historical exhibits, and a restaurant, making it one of Tokachi's most popular tourism destinations.