Tōmi City, Nagano Prefecture, Japan

Yutaka Nakajima embodies the archetype of a Japanese winemaker: low-key, thoughtful and deeply hands-on. From his small mountain house, he farms quietly and works in the cellar entirely by hand, using self-made, hand-cranked wooden tools to craft wines of quiet precision.

At 850 metres above sea level in Tomi, Nagano, Domaine Nakajima sits within the Chikumagawa Wine Valley. The region's cooler, drier climate, closer to Europe than much of Japan, allows for the planting of primarily French varieties. Since 2011, Nakajima has cultivated Cabernet Franc, Sauvignon Blanc, Merlot and Chenin Blanc on a small slope threaded with wild grasses and herbs. In 2019, he added a higher-altitude site planted to Savagnin and Pinot Noir. Production remains tiny, just a few thousand bottles annually, each one shaped entirely by hand and by season.

Chenin Blanc & Sauvignon Blanc 2024

One of the rarest whites to emerge from Japan's growing fine wine scene, this remarkable blend of Chenin Blanc and Sauvignon Blanc comes from Nakajima's tiny estate vineyards in the mountains of Nagano. At 850 metres above sea level, the cool temperatures and long growing season offer a fascinating setting for these two French varieties, allowing freshness, texture and precision to take centre stage.

Chenin Blanc brings its natural affinity for acidity, structure and texture, while Sauvignon Blanc contributes aromatic lift and energy. Together, they offer an intriguing expression of two varieties more commonly associated with the Loire Valley, interpreted through the very different landscape and climate of central Japan.

What makes this wine particularly compelling is Nakajima's approach. Working on an almost microscopic scale, every decision is guided by the vineyard and the character of the vintage rather than a predetermined style. There is something deeply fascinating about seeing these familiar European varieties through the lens of Japanese craftsmanship, where restraint, precision and an extraordinary attention to detail define the winemaking.

An exceptionally limited estate wine from one of Japan's most individual producers, offering a rare glimpse into the remarkable potential of Nagano's mountain vineyards.