Grapes: Steuben + Merlot
Region: Yamagata, Japan
Vintage: 2024
Viticulture: Organic
Soils: Limestone
Vinification: We used only fully ripened, dark Steuben grapes and underwent a week of whole-cluster carbonic maceration. After that, we pressed the grapes using a basket press and added early-harvested free-run Merlot.
Aging: 1 yr in barrel then 9 months in bottle
Fining or Filtering: None
Sulfur: Minimal
Notes from the Importer: Fattoria al Fiore is a small, natural winery located in Kawasaki Town in Miyagi Prefecture, in Japan’s Tohoku region. Founded in 2015 by Hirotaka and Reina Meguro, the winery operates out of a converted school gymnasium and focuses on low-intervention wines that reflect both place and community.
Founder Hirotaka Meguro previously operated a restaurant in Sendai, where his interest in natural wine led him to winemaking.
The project began with the goal of revitalizing abandoned farmland in Miyagi following the 2011 earthquake and broader rural decline. The winery has since become a community-centered project, with strong ties to local agriculture and craft.
Working with a mix of estate fruit and grapes sourced from trusted growers across northern Japan, Fattoria al Fiore produces delicate, expressive wines designed to pair seamlessly with food. Production is small, and each cuvée reflects a hands-on, intuitive approach to farming and cellar work.
"nuances of hibiscus, rose, and black berries, along with the robust taste of Merlot. This wine will continue to evolve from summer onward."
