From a tiny 1.5 ha farm in Nagano Japan, Domaine Nakajima makes very special and precise wines. This is from his estate-grown fruit, no sprays, no fertilizers, hand-harvested via hand carved utensils.

These are special and visionary wines, available for the first time in California.

"In 2023, both the Chenin Blanc and Sauvignon Blanc reached maturity simultaneously and were harvested on the same day. A small initial pick on 6th September was for checking the taste of the grapes, with the main harvest following around the 20th. Although total acidity was lower than usual, the wines retained vibrant freshness. Thanks to fully matured vines and favourable weather, yields increased by roughly 1.5 times over the previous year. The grapes were healthy, with ripe skins and generous aromatics—a clear sign of a promising vintage.

After careful hand sorting, the grapes were lightly crushed using a handmade crusher and further foot-treaded, then gently pressed in a vertical basket press. Fermentation took place with wild yeasts in a resin tank, followed by 10 months of ageing in old 225L oak barrels. The wine was bottled unfiltered and unfined."

Tomi, Nagano - Japan/ Chenin + Sauvignon Blanc