Hokkaido Wine Co., Ltd. will release four experimental wines on Friday, April 11, 2025, made from the first organically grown grapes at its directly managed Hokkaido Wine Shiribeshi Vineyard. Sales will be limited to company-operated stores.
The wines represent a special vintage born from the company's efforts toward more sustainable winemaking.
Here are the details.
About Hokkaido Wine Shiribeshi Vineyard
Hokkaido Wine Shiribeshi Vineyard is a directly managed vineyard of Hokkaido Wine Co., Ltd. in Niki, Hokkaido, an area known for its rich fruit-growing tradition.
The company acquired abandoned farmland in 2020, obtained organic JAS certification the following year in 2021, and began by planting a total of 7,200 vines across four varieties: Chardonnay, Kerner, Pinot Noir, and Acolon.
The vineyard took on organic cultivation for the first time and harvested grapes in 2023 as its first step.
Those organically grown grapes were used to make four experimental first-vintage wines, which will now be released in limited quantities.
Experimental Batch — Four Varieties
The new releases are first-vintage “Experimental Batch” wines made from grapes harvested in 2023.
The four varieties are Chardonnay, Kerner, Pinot Noir, and Acolon. Each is priced at JPY 4,059 including tax and comes in a 750 ml bottle.
The release date is Friday, April 11, 2025.
Sales are limited to the company's Otaru Wine Gallery and official online shop.
At the Spring Tasting & Sales Event in Sapporo on Friday, April 11, 2025, visitors can also taste the four newly released wines ahead of others.
A wine sale will be held at the same time, allowing visitors to purchase the first-vintage wines on site.
If you're interested, be sure to check them out.
Reference
Hokkaido Wine company-operated store: Otaru Wine Gallery
Address: 1-130 Asarigawa Onsen, Otaru
Hours: 9:00–17:00; Tel. 0134-34-2187
Hokkaido Wine Official Online Shop (orders accepted 24 hours)
*Online sales are members-only. Free membership registration is required before purchase.
Spring Tasting & Sales Event in Sapporo
Date and time: Friday, April 11, 2025, 18:00–19:45 (reception from 17:30)
Venue: DO-BOX EAST (Hokkaido Shimbun Building 1F)
Address: 4-1 Odori Higashi, Chuo-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido Shimbun Building 1F
Participation fee: JPY 3,500 including tax