Yamagata Prefecture is a major wine-producing region, ranking fourth in the number of wineries and wine production volume after Yamanashi Prefecture, Nagano Prefecture, and Hokkaido.
Even within Yamagata Prefecture, the climate conditions and soil composition, in other words, the terroir, differ depending on the grape-growing area, so choosing wine from different areas within the prefecture is also part of the enjoyment.
This time, the winery that "CRAFT WINE SHOP" would like to recommend is "Woody Farm & Winery," located in Kaminoyama City, Yamagata Prefecture.
What kind of taste does the wine produced from the terroir-rich "Kaminoyama" have?
Please use this as a reference when choosing Japanese wine.
About Woody Farm & Winery
Woody Farm & Winery is a winery located in Kaminoyama City, Yamagata Prefecture.
Kaminoyama City in Yamagata Prefecture is a region where fruit cultivation is thriving, and not only table grapes but also wine grapes are widely grown.
The city is designated as the 'Kaminoyama Wine Special Zone,' with many wineries scattered throughout.
In May 2025, many wine fans gathered at the "Yamagata Wine Bar 2025" held in the city, making it no exaggeration to say that this area is one of Yamagata Prefecture's premier wine-producing regions.
Woody Farm & Winery is a "domaine"-style winery that grows grapes in its own vineyard in Kaminoyama City and makes wine using those grapes as raw materials.
Let's introduce the features of this winery below.
A winery with two faces
Woody Farm & Winery is known as a "winery with two faces."
First, it is a domaine-style winery.
This winery has been cultivating wine grape varieties since around 1975, and since the winery started, all the grapes used as raw materials have been produced in their own vineyards within Kaminoyama City, Yamagata Prefecture.
Many wineries produce wine from grapes harvested in their own vineyards, but there are not many places that produce all their grapes entirely from their own vineyards (not purchased grapes).
The second aspect is that it is an orchard dedicated to cultivating high-quality fruits.
Using traditional Yamagata cultivation techniques and their unique trellis training, they produce high-quality fruits centered on cherries and La France pears.
Therefore, Woody Farm & Winery is popular not only for wines made from grapes but also for items like large premium cherries and juices made from La France pears.
Commitment to wine grape varieties
Woody Farm & Winery is a winery that is particular about wine grape varieties.
Wine grape varieties refer to European grapes called Vitis vinifera, such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, and Sauvignon Blanc, which are "grape varieties for making wine."
The birth of the current Woody Farm & Winery dates back to 1977.
It began when Mr. Yoshio Kimura, the current president's father, started contract cultivation of wine grape varieties Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon with a major wine manufacturer.
After that, they produced jams, fruit sauces, dried fruits, etc., but in 2007 they began expanding vineyards of wine grape varieties and started winery operations in 2011.
Mr. Yoshio Kimura had long sympathized with Mr. Takeda of Takeda Winery in the same city regarding his passion for winemaking, and he had dreamed of having his own winery someday.
Amid this, he strongly wished to make wines using wine grape varieties that could rival those of Europe, and even now, he says they do not plant domestic varieties in their own vineyards. (Main varieties are Petit Manseng, Albariño, Cabernet Sauvignon, etc.)
Then, in 2013, they obtained a fruit wine brewing license and released wine in 2014. (By the way, Mr. Yoshio Kimura was active until he was 93 years old!)
High-quality wine grape varieties are possible thanks to the terroir of Kaminoyama City.
Although it is still said to be difficult to cultivate wine grape varieties in Japan, Woody Farm & Winery produces wines from these varieties that surpass the quality of those worldwide.
First, the winery's own vineyards are scattered at altitudes up to 300 meters, which helps avoid frost damage.
Moreover, by thoroughly limiting yields, they work to increase the sugar content and improve the quality of the grapes.
They own vineyards with not only black volcanic ash soil but also red soil ideal for wine grape varieties, which is said to improve the quality of varieties like Cabernet Sauvignon.
Also, Woody Farm & Winery does not use chemical fertilizers or herbicides in any of their vineyards.
It is probably because of the efforts to fully enjoy the blessings of the terroir of Kaminoyama City that Woody Farm & Winery's wines attract people.
Pure winemaking
Woody Farm & Winery is a winery committed to pure winemaking that brings out the natural potential of the grapes.
Many Japanese wineries perform chaptalization or acid adjustment because the sugar and acid levels of raw grapes tend to be low.
Since its founding, Woody Farm & Winery has not performed any human control such as chaptalization or acid adjustment on their wines.
Furthermore, except for wines with residual sugar, they thoroughly finish their wines unfiltered to preserve the original charm of the wine.
All raw materials at this winery are 100% grapes grown in-house, and they carefully assess the vintage, grape variety characteristics, and differences in ripeness to conduct winemaking tailored to the grapes.
Woody Farm & Winery aims to "create wines rich in subtlety."
It is a rare winery that directly reflects the taste of the grape-producing region of Kaminoyama City, Yamagata Prefecture, in its wines.
About Woody Farm & Winery
At "CRAFT WINE SHOP," we have a selection of Woody Farm & Winery wines that Japanese wine fans definitely want to try.
Let's introduce three exquisite bottles that allow you to experience the charm of this winery below.
Woody Farm / Albariño 2023
The 2023 vintage of Albariño, which Woody Farm & Winery is focusing on.
In the same year, many fully ripe Albariño grapes were harvested from different plots, and after fermenting four types of base wines with varying degrees of ripeness separately, they were blended to achieve balance and finish.
Characteristic aromas of peach, citrus, and green apple typical of Albariño, with a soft taste and freshness.
According to the winery, although acid adjustment was necessary, they aimed not to seek anything beyond the vintage, resulting in a bottle that expresses the heat of 2023.
Woody Farm / Albariño 2023 3,630 yen including tax
Click here to purchase!
Woody Farm / Haraguchi Vineyard Petit Manseng Orange 2021
Petit Manseng harvested from Woody Farm's Haraguchi Vineyard made into orange wine.
Petit Manseng from Kaminoyama, which matures while enduring the cold winds of Zao Oroshi, is said to have a concentrated feel.
By moderately extracting components from the skins, aromas of stone fruits, Japanese citrus, honey, and smokiness are created.
An attractive orange wine that also feels fresh.
It is characterized by a late-ripening style that changes to an orange color as it matures.
Woody Farm / Haraguchi Vineyard Petit Manseng Orange 2021 4,400 yen including tax
Click here to purchase!
Woody Farm / Pinot Noir 2021
A charming Pinot Noir grown in the terroir of Kaminoyama.
A precious red wine made only from fully ripe vintages, with cultivation techniques improved every year.
This Pinot Noir is fermented with wild yeast for 13 days, then aged in old barrels for 11 months and bottled unfiltered.
A toasty aroma with a complex taste that reveals delicate flavors of cherry and plum beneath.
The acidity is rich, reflecting the cool vintage, and it is an elegant bottle that lets you feel all the charm of Pinot Noir.
Woody Farm / Pinot Noir 2021 3,520 yen including tax
Click here to purchase!
Summary
In recent years, Yamagata Prefecture has been especially thriving.
Among them, Kaminoyama City is one of Japan's top wine-producing regions, highly regarded for its wine-specific grape varieties.
"I want to fully enjoy the terroir of Kaminoyama City."
For those people, why not try a bottle brewed by "Woody Farm & Winery"?
