TSUGARU Winery

Kitatsugaru, Aomori

Tsugaru Winery is located in Tsuruta Town on the Tsugaru Plain in western Aomori Prefecture, an area defined by volcanic soil, heavy winter snowfall, and a long history of fruit cultivation. Since the early Meiji era, this land has supported both apple growing and wine grape production, making it one of Japan’s historically significant viticultural regions.

From Wano Winery to Tsugaru Winery

The winery was originally founded in 2017 as Wano Winery by Mr. Hideki Yagihashi. Following his passing in 2023, his philosophy and dedication to the land were inherited by a new generation of winemaking leadership. With this transition, the winery was reborn as Tsugaru Winery, reaffirming its commitment to expressing terroir and producing wines that reflect the identity of the region.

Winemaker: Daiki Fujii

The current winemaker, Mr. Daiki Fujii, began his career as a research assistant at the Yamanashi Prefecture Wine Center, where he developed a strong scientific foundation in viticulture and enology.

He went on to gain hands-on experience at Château Sakaori in Yamanashi and Kusunoki Winery in Nagano before broadening his perspective through harvest and training work in South Africa, Germany, New Zealand, Australia, France, and Chile.

Before joining Tsugaru Winery, he was responsible for grape cultivation in Takasu Town, Hokkaido, where the fruit was vinified at 10R Winery in Iwamizawa. Since 2022, he has overseen both vineyard management and winemaking at Tsugaru Winery, integrating research-based knowledge with practical field experience.

The Landscape of the Tsugaru Plain

The Tsugaru Plain is one of the largest plains in Japan, opening to the Sea of Japan to the northwest and dominated by Mount Iwaki to the southwest. Mount Iwaki, Aomori Prefecture’s highest peak and one of Japan’s 100 Famous Mountains, strongly influences the region’s climate and soils, shaping the character of local agriculture and wine.

Climate Shaped by Snow and Seasons

Tsuruta Town experiences a continental climate with distinct seasonal changes. Grapes ripen slowly under these conditions, retaining vibrant acidity and developing balanced structure. Cold, snowy winters bring the vines into deep dormancy, an essential factor in producing wines with freshness and stability.

Winter snowfall is a defining feature of the region. Snow blankets the vineyards, protecting dormant vines from severe cold, and gradually melts in spring, supplying moisture that supports healthy vine growth throughout the growing season.

Volcanic Soils and Mineral Expression

The vineyards are planted on volcanic soils derived from Mount Iwaki. These soils are rich in minerals and microorganisms and offer excellent drainage, encouraging deep root growth. As a result, the wines of Tsugaru Winery show a distinctive mineral character that complements their fruit expression and enhances overall balance.

A Region with a Deep Viticultural History

Viticulture in the Tsugaru region dates back to the early Meiji period. This long history has cultivated a deep reservoir of local knowledge and a strong connection between people and land. Tsugaru Winery continues this tradition while applying environmentally conscious farming practices that prioritize soil health and sustainability.

Vineyards and Grape Varieties

Tsugaru Winery manages approximately 70R of vineyards. Steuben, a grape long associated with the region, occupies the majority of the planted area, alongside Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling, and Pinot Noir. Careful vineyard management aims to express the individuality of each variety while preserving the natural balance of the site.

Production Scale and Philosophy

Annual production is approximately 10,000 bottles. Around seventy percent of the wine is produced from estate-grown fruit, while the remaining volume is made using carefully selected purchased grapes or apples, allowing flexibility while maintaining quality standards.

Natural Fermentation and Wine Style

In the cellar, Tsugaru Winery relies exclusively on natural fermentation without the use of selected commercial yeast. This approach allows indigenous microorganisms to guide fermentation, revealing the true character of the grapes and the terroir. The resulting wines are defined by pure fruit expression, pronounced minerality, and a balanced structure shaped by the region’s cool climate and significant temperature variation.

Wines for the Community

Through its wines, Tsugaru Winery seeks not only to express the character of the Tsugaru Plain but also to create bottles that resonate with the local community. Each wine reflects a respect for the land, its history, and the people who continue to cultivate it.

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