Domaine Takahiko YoichiNobori-N Passetoutgrain 2023

Country: Japan

Region: Hokkaido

Type: Red Wine

Grape: 98% Pinot Noir/2% Zweigelt

Founded in 2010, the wines from Takahiko Soga’s small domaine on Japan’s northernmost island of Hokkaido have gained cult status over the years. The wines from this tiny domaine, at the northern tip of Japan’s northernmost island of Hokkaido, are among the most sought-after and hardest to find at Japanese restaurants and wine stores. Many volunteers from all over Japan come to help in the harvest, all drawn by the unique wines and philosophy of the domaine’s founder and the incredible quality and umami terroir of his natural wines.

The domaine focuses on Pinot Noir and is based in Yoichi on the western coast of Hokkaido, where the cool weather is very well-suited to the variety (he says this micro-climate is similar to the Jura). Takahiko-san had worked at other wineries in Japan and was inspired by the natural wines of France. Farming is detail-oriented, regenerative, and hands-on; work in the cellar is simple and low-intervention: 100% whole cluster fermentation in large neutral resin tanks, then aging in (mostly used) oak barrels.