Yamazaki Winery
山﨑ワイナリー
Hokkaido's first individual-farmer winery license (2002). Seven consecutive five-star ratings at the Japan Winery Awards (2019–2025). Estate-grown only, across 14 ha with seven distinct soil layers in a single vineyard — each layer planted with a different variety. No herbicides or chemical fertilizers ever. Five family fingerprints are stamped into the label design.
Yamazaki Winery is a pioneering family-run estate nestled on the slopes of Mt. Tappu in Mikasa, Hokkaido, where the Yamazaki family has farmed the land for four generations. Founded in 2002 by Kazuyuki Yamazaki, the winery obtained the first individual-farmer winery license in Hokkaido. All wines are crafted exclusively from estate-grown grapes across 12 varieties, with no herbicides or chemical fertilizers used in the vineyards. The winery produces approximately 30,000 bottles annually and has earned five consecutive five-star ratings at the Japan Winery Awards (2019–2023). Winemaking is led by eldest son Ryoichi (graduate of Tokyo University of Agriculture), while younger son Taichi oversees viticulture and sales. Their philosophy: prioritize making the best wine for each situation over dogmatic adherence to natural/additive-free methods.
www.yamazaki-winery.co.jp ↗Cuvées
シャルドネ 樽醗酵
Chardonnay Barrel Fermentation
WhiteChardonnay
Yamazaki Winery's Chardonnay Barrel Fermentation is a flagship white wine from Hokkaido, Japan. Crafted with meticulous attention to terroir, this wine undergoes fermentation and aging in oak barrels, which imparts a sophisticated complexity. It features a harmonious balance between vibrant acidity, characteristic of the cool climate of Mikasa, and rich, creamy textures derived from the barrel aging process. Notes of citrus, green apple, and subtle toasted vanilla define its elegant profile, making it a standout example of Japanese viticulture.
ピノ・ノワール
Pinot Noir
RedPinot Noir
A cool-climate Pinot Noir from 19–26 year-old vines on the Tappu slopes of Mikasa, Hokkaido. Pale ruby in color with aromas of fresh red fruits, strawberry, and a refreshing forest-floor note. Soft fruit, bright acidity, and an elegant mineral finish evoking the quiet landscapes of Sorachi.
ピノ・グリ
Pinot Gris
WhitePinot Gris
Yamazaki Winery's Pinot Gris is a testament to the cool-climate viticulture of Mikasa, Hokkaido. This wine features a brilliant yellowish hue and offers a complex aromatic profile of ripe tropical fruits, mango, and subtle hints of citrus and spice. On the palate, it delivers a rich, layered fruit intensity balanced by a refined northern minerality and a characteristic, elegant acidity. The winemaking process, which includes whole-cluster pressing, partial barrel fermentation, and the use of wild yeasts, results in a pure, expressive wine that captures the unique terroir of the Ishikari Plain. It is a sophisticated, well-structured white wine that showcases the high standards of Japanese craft winemaking.
Who Is This For?
For Burgundy lovers who want to discover Japan's answer to cool-climate Pinot Noir and Chardonnay; collectors seeking certified excellence (seven-star JWA runs) and strict estate-only production; natural-wine enthusiasts drawn to herbicide-free farming and minimal-intervention philosophy; travelers and gastronomes looking for a benchmark Sorachi winery that pairs beautifully with Hokkaido's seafood and dairy cuisine.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Where exactly is Yamazaki Winery located?
- Yamazaki Winery is in Tatpu (達布), Mikasa City, Sorachi region, central Hokkaido — not Yoichi. It sits on west-facing slopes overlooking the Ishikari Plain, within the Sorachi (空知) wine sub-region of Hokkaido. Address: 791-22 Tatpu, Mikasa-shi, Hokkaido.
- Can I visit the winery for a tour or tasting?
- The on-site shop is open on Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays (10:00–17:00) and accepts cash only. The winery prioritises farm and cellar work over guided tours, so scheduled winery tours and formal tasting sessions are not offered. Large buses are not accommodated. Nearest access: Mikasa Interchange (道央自動車道), or JR Minenobu Station followed by a 5-minute taxi ride.
- What makes the Yamazaki vineyard unique?
- A single vineyard plot hosts seven distinct soil layers running side by side — a geological feature that allows the family to select which grape variety suits each layer. The west-facing slope on the left bank of the Ishikari River gives the grapes unusual sun exposure for a cold-climate site, producing tropical fruit notes alongside crisp northern acidity. Winter snow depth can reach 2 metres, naturally insulating the vines.
- Does Yamazaki Winery use natural or organic methods?
- The winery uses no herbicides or chemical fertilizers in the vineyard. However, the family does not rigidly label itself 'natural' or 'additive-free'. Their philosophy is pragmatic: choose the best winemaking approach for each vintage, whether that means wild-yeast fermentation, partial barrel fermentation, or minimal sulphur — always in service of the finest possible wine rather than dogmatic adherence to a category.
- Which wines should I try first from Yamazaki?
- The Chardonnay Barrel Fermentation (シャルドネ樽発酵) — with toasty, creamy complexity from oak and rich tropical fruit from the west-facing terroir — is a flagship white. The Pinot Noir delivers elegant cool-climate structure: deep ruby, ripe strawberry, pine-forest notes, and a long mineral finish. The Pinot Gris (ピノ・グリ) showcases the estate's unique tropical character: aromas of pineapple and mango with refreshing northern acidity.