About this wine
Grown on Woody Farm & Winery's roughly 9-hectare estate at the foot of Mt. Zao in Kaminoyama, Yamagata, this Sauvignon Blanc is blended with a small proportion (around 10%) of Petit Manseng. Winemaker Yuto Kanahara adds the Petit Manseng to counter a sometimes flat mid-palate in pure Sauvignon Blanc, lending the wine unexpected tropical depth and richness on top of its bright grapefruit and citrus core. It is fermented and aged entirely in stainless steel with no new oak, and made without chaptalization or acid correction, in keeping with the estate's minimal-intervention philosophy. The 2018 vintage was awarded a bronze medal at the Japan Wine Competition 2019, and production remains small-lot (around 2,490 bottles for the 2020 vintage), bottled under DIAM10 closures.
A grapefruit-bright, approachable introduction to Japanese Sauvignon Blanc, with just enough roundness from its Petit Manseng blend to feel complete rather than austere.
Sommelier's Note
"One of the more distinctive Sauvignon Blanc bottlings in Japan — the touch of Petit Manseng gives it a tropical roundness that pure-varietal, cool-climate versions rarely achieve."
Food Pairings
Excellent with fresh sashimi (especially white fish with a squeeze of citrus), grilled fish, goat cheese, and herb-forward salads. The grapefruit-citrus core also plays well with tempura and dishes seasoned with sudachi or yuzu.
When to drink it
Aperitif, seafood dinners, or casual gatherings where a crisp yet textured white wine is called for.
Specs
- Grape Varieties
- Sauvignon Blanc, Petit Manseng
- Style
- White
- Price Range
- ¥2,600-3,000
Terroir & Winemaking
Hand-harvested from the estate's ~9ha Kaminoyama vineyards; blended with approximately 10% Petit Manseng. Fermented and aged entirely in stainless steel tanks (no new oak) to preserve primary fruit purity. No chaptalization or acid adjustment. Bottled under DIAM10 closures; small-lot production (around 2,490 bottles for the 2020 vintage).
Frequently Asked Questions
- What does Woody Farm's Sauvignon Blanc taste like?
- Bright grapefruit and citrus character with crisp acidity, rounded out by a small blend of Petit Manseng that adds tropical depth and richness.
- Is this wine aged in oak?
- No — it is fermented and aged entirely in stainless steel tanks with no new oak, keeping the fruit expression pure and fresh.
- What food pairs well with it?
- Fresh sashimi, grilled white fish, goat cheese, and herb-dressed vegetable dishes all complement its citrus-driven profile.
- Has this wine won any awards?
- The 2018 vintage was awarded a bronze medal at the Japan Wine Competition 2019.
- How much of this wine is produced each vintage?
- Production is limited — around 2,490 bottles were made of the 2020 vintage, reflecting the winery's small-lot, hands-on approach.
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Talk to the SommelierMore wines from this producer
シャルドネ
Chardonnay
WhiteChardonnay
Produced by Woody Farm & Winery at the foot of Mount Zao in Kaminoyama City, Yamagata, this Chardonnay is released as a new vintage almost every year (recent vintages include 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024) and reflects the estate's philosophy of letting the Kaminoyama terroir speak for itself, avoiding chaptalization and acid correction wherever possible. Grapes grown on the estate's own vineyards are separated and fermented individually based on ripeness and pressing pressure, then blended for a balanced, mellow profile. The wine shows a bright, lustrous pale yellow-green color with delicate aromas of La France pear, banana, and white peach, a broad and rounded acidity, and a smooth, refreshing finish. Because Chardonnay is considered a relatively neutral variety, the winery treats it as a mirror reflecting the character of the Kaminoyama terroir.
ソーヴィニヨン・エフェメラル
Sauvignon Éphémère
WhiteSauvignon Blanc · Petit Manseng · Chardonnay
Sauvignon Éphémère is a limited cuvée from Woody Farm & Winery in Kaminoyama, Yamagata, made from a blend of roughly 87% Sauvignon Blanc, 10% Petit Manseng, and 3% Chardonnay. Where the estate's standard Sauvignon Blanc is fermented and aged purely in stainless steel to preserve fresh, citrus-driven fruit, this cuvée is instead matured in old (non-new) oak barrels, deliberately pursuing the quieter, more contemplative side of the variety rather than its typically vivid, dynamic citrus character. The wine is built with cellaring in mind, gaining aromatic complexity and softness with time in bottle. The 2020 vintage, released around 2023, is now sold out at most retailers.
ウッディ ブリュット
Woody Brut
SparklingChardonnay
Woody Brut is the entry-level dry sparkling wine from Woody Farm & Winery, a domaine estate at the foot of Mount Zao in Kaminoyama, Yamagata. Made from estate-grown Chardonnay farmed without chaptalization or acid correction, it channels the same minimal-intervention philosophy that defines the winery's still wines into a crisp, refreshing sparkling format that showcases the cool-climate character of Kaminoyama fruit.