AIZAWA – Nippon Naturals

Overview

Aizawa Nouen Winery, founded by Ichiro and Rina Aizawa, began with Ichiro’s father, Tatsuya, buying a vineyard in Memuro, Hokkaido, in 1998. In 2004, they expanded to Tokachi, Obihiro, clearing land for a new vineyard. Ichiro left his job at a gas company and joined them in 2015 to start the winemaking. They prioritize organic farming, benefitting from Hokkaido’s cold weather for pest control. Their vineyards focus on native grapes like Yamabudou, Kiyomi, and Yamasachi. They ferment with wild yeast, promoting a pesticide-free process. Despite challenges, they aim to share their unique wines globally and inspire more wineries in Tokachi, fostering community connections through winemaking.

Cultivars

Yamabudou

Also known as Vitis amurensis. We grew this variety by collecting only the best-growing branches from those that grow wild in the mountains of Tokachi. This variety is characterized by its deep grape flavor, intense acidity, and rich wine-red color.

Yamasachi

The Yamasachi grape has a well-balanced acidity and tannins, and it pairs well with yakiniku, ethnic dishes, and tomato-based pasta.

The Yamasachi grape was created to withstand the freezing winters of Hokkaido. “Yamasachi” was created in 1978 by the town of Ikeda from “Kiyomi” and Vitis amurensis, the Amur grape. Kiyomi is a clonal selection of the French hybrid Seibel 13053. The Yamasachi grape was first vinified in 1995 and the first commercial wine was released in 1999. In 2020, the International Organization of Vine and Wine (OIV) certified the Yamasachi grape, recognizing it as an indigenous Japanese grape.

Kiyomai

It was created by crossing Yamabudo (father) and Kiyomi (mother). We purchase seedlings from Tokachi Wine. This variety is characterized by its refreshing sour taste inherited from Kiyomi.

Kiyomi

This is a selection of Seibel 13053. It is a variety characterized by its gentle color and refreshing acidity.

Wines

Rose - Sparkling

A-danza Frizzante

Rose - Still

Sachirose

Founded – 2004 (vineyard) / 2019 (wine production)
Region – Hokkaido 北海道
Town – Obihiro 帯広市
Village – Itairacho
Climate – Humid continental climate with warm summers and cold winters
Soils – Wet type Kuroboku soil. The soils in the Tokachi district are Andosols, which have high clay minerals and organic carbon content.
Vineyard land – 5.5 hectares
Farming – Organic
Grower – Tatsuya Aizawa (vineyard) / Ichiro Aizawa (wine cellar)

Vineyard / Cellar Highlights

Sprays – None

Fertilizer – None

Hand-picked – Yes

Natural yeast – Yes

Fining / Filtering – None

Added sulfites – Maximum 30 ppm

TIMELINE

1998 Grape cultivation begins in Memuro-cho, Tokachi.
2004, moved to Ihira-cho, Obihiro City and started cultivating grapes.
2015 Started manufacturing and selling grape juice, jam, and sauce.started contract wine making.
2016 Aizawa Farm LLC established.
2017 Aizawa Farm Wine is now on sale. Certified as a JAS organic agricultural production farm.
2018 Started grape production.
2019 Obtained fruit liquor manufacturing license and Aizawa Winery was completed.
2020 Started selling wine under Aizawa Nouen brand.