Sauvignon Éphémère
ソーヴィニヨン・エフェメラル
Woody Farm & Winery
Sauvignon Blanc · Petit Manseng · Chardonnay
About this wine
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.
A more contemplative, barrel-matured take on Sauvignon Blanc for drinkers who find the grape's usual sharp citrus edge too aggressive.
Sommelier's Note
"This is Woody Farm's answer to Sauvignon Blanc's restless, citrus-driven reputation — a deliberately quieter, barrel-matured expression built to reward patience rather than immediate freshness."
Food Pairings
The barrel-derived roundness pairs well with cream-based sauces, roasted or grilled poultry, and softer cheeses. Its quieter, more textured profile also suits delicate Japanese dishes such as steamed fish with dashi or simmered vegetables where a bright, sharp acidity would compete rather than complement.
When to drink it
A reflective glass for a quiet dinner at home, or a distinctive pour for wine enthusiasts seeking something beyond typical Sauvignon Blanc.
Specs
- Grape Varieties
- Sauvignon Blanc, Petit Manseng, Chardonnay
- Style
- White
- Vintage
- 2020
- Price Range
- ¥3,000-3,600
Terroir & Winemaking
Blend of approximately 87% Sauvignon Blanc, 10% Petit Manseng, and 3% Chardonnay, all estate-grown at the foot of Mount Zao. Unlike the winery's stainless-steel Sauvignon Blanc, this cuvée is matured in old oak barrels (no new oak) rather than tank, in keeping with Woody Farm's minimal-intervention, no-chaptalization philosophy.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How is this different from Woody Farm's regular Sauvignon Blanc?
- The estate's standard Sauvignon Blanc is fermented and aged entirely in stainless steel for a fresh, citrus-forward style, while Sauvignon Éphémère is matured in old oak barrels to bring out a calmer, more textured character built for aging.
- What is the grape composition?
- It is a blend of approximately 87% Sauvignon Blanc, 10% Petit Manseng, and 3% Chardonnay, all from the estate's own vineyards at the foot of Mount Zao.
- Is the 2020 vintage still available?
- The 2020 vintage, released around 2023, is reported as sold out at most retailers as of this writing.
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Talk to the SommelierMore wines from this producer
シャルドネ
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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・ブラン
Sauvignon Blanc
WhiteSauvignon Blanc · Petit Manseng
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.
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.