Cave D’Occhi Winery was born in 1993 in Niigata City, a place previously unrelated to wine. Among the wineries scattered along the “Niigata Wine Coast,” it shines brightly as one of Japan’s leading wineries. From this winery, which enjoys overwhelming support from Japanese wine fans, a highly anticipated new series has finally arrived. At "CRAFT WINE SHOP," the new Cave D’Occhi Winery series—red, rosé sparkling, white, and orange wines—are available in limited quantities. Let’s introduce these attractive wines that allow you to understand the current state of Niigata wine.
About Cave D’Occhi Winery
Cave D’Occhi Winery is located at the foot of Mt. Kakuda in Niigata City, Niigata Prefecture. Founded in 1993 by Mr. Kakegawa and others, the winery is known not only for grape cultivation, winemaking, and wine sales but also for establishing the foundation of “wine tourism” in Japan with its attached restaurant, lodging, and spa facilities. The winery’s winemaking is characterized by making the most of the “terroir,” including well-drained sandy soils, sea breezes that keep grapes healthy, and cultivation of international varieties such as Albariño. A key feature of Cave D’Occhi Winery is its emphasis on the characteristics of “sandy soil.” The wines offer floral aromas, delicate mouthfeel, and lightness. While overall elegant, they express a complex, detailed, and profound flavor. In a place once considered unsuitable for wine, Cave D’Occhi Winery has persevered through trial and error despite being called reckless. It is a winery we highly recommend to those who want to encounter wines with a “story.”
New series from Cave D’Occhi Winery has arrived!
Cave D’Occhi Winery always creates buzz with its new wines. This time, a new series from the winery has arrived. It is a unique wine series expressing the “hobbyist” spirit of young winemaker Ryusei Kusano, a new Japanese wine that sparks the drinker’s imagination. According to Kusano, the series is made with the goal of conveying a story within the wine, cherishing the umami that feels like biting into pure fruit. At "CRAFT WINE SHOP," five types from this new Cave D’Occhi Winery series are available in limited quantities. This highly anticipated series sells out quickly at the winery right after release, so we recommend purchasing early!
Cave D’Occhi / Kirin Phoenix Pinot Noir 2023
A red wine made from 100% Pinot Noir from the winery’s own vineyard, planted 26 years ago at the time of founding. It is made with whole cluster destemming, fermented with natural yeast, and aged for 9 months in old barrels to express the character of Pinot Noir. The aromas of wild strawberries, violets, black cherries, roses, and game hint at a natural style Pinot Noir. It offers intense umami, fruity sweetness, and a salty note, delivering a pure taste that penetrates the body. Incidentally, winemaker Mr. Kusano has said he will probably never make wine from his own vineyard’s Pinot Noir again, making this the first and last Pinot. Also, because it is a short-lived wine, he recommends drinking it from the bottle after opening if possible. Wine is a “living thing.” This bottle reminds us of that fundamental charm once again.
Cave D’Occhi / Kirin Phoenix Pinot Noir 2023
Including tax: 4,400 yen
Curve d'Occhi / Hanami de Ippai Rose SP 2024
The uniquely named rosé sparkling wine, 'Hanami de Ippai Rose SP 2024,' catches the eye. It is a blend of Merlot and Chardonnay, fermented with natural yeast, then finished with primary fermentation in the bottle using the "Ancestral Method." The key point is that it is bottled at a specific gravity of 1.008 to retain a slight residual sugar. The faintly sweet residual sugar sensation, crisp and delicate bubbles, and the green and bitter notes from the Merlot come together in an ideal balance. It features floral aromas of rose, cotton candy, melon, and dill, fine bubbles, juicy fruit flavors with concentration, and delicate, pleasant green and bitter notes. It’s an attractive bottle that makes you want to reach for “just one more sip!” Currently, it has a reductive nuance that feels positive, but after a few months, it is said to blossom into a fruit-filled wine. If you’re curious, try buying two bottles to enjoy the difference.
Curve d'Occhi / Hanami de Ippai Rose SP 2024
3,520 yen including tax
Curve d'Occhi / Tsukimi de Ippai Blanc 2024
This is a white wine named "Tsukimi de Ippai." It is a blend of Kerner and Chardonnay; 30% of the Kerner is whole cluster and undergoes 2 days of skin contact, while the Chardonnay is destemmed, crushed, and pressed. The juices are fermented in old barrels using natural yeast. It is aged for 7 months in stainless steel barrels, resulting in an aromatic finish with mineral nuances. The citrus aroma of Kerner and the transparent fruit of Chardonnay evoke the mineral water of the source. Refreshing herbs like fennel and dill, citrus such as grapefruit, soft water minerals, and gentle, pure fruit flavors spread through the finish, creating a wine that feels like a "Japanese-style white." Winemaker Kusano says that in recent years he has focused on themes like "soft water mineral sensation" and "a gentle texture close to dashi flavor, something that can only be made in Japan." Although still a work in progress, he believes this wine is one answer to those themes. It is a charming white wine that makes you want to try pairing it with Japanese cuisine right away.
Curve d'Occhi / Hanami de Ippai Tsukimi de Ippai Blanc 2024
3,520 yen including tax
Curve d'Occhi / Inoshikachou Amber 2024
A medium-bodied orange wine blended from Pinot Blanc, Semillon, and Sauvignon Blanc. Alcohol content is 10.5%. A high-quality bottle with delicate flavors. Whole clusters of Pinot Blanc, Semillon, and Sauvignon Blanc are placed in a tank for 13 days of carbonic maceration, then destemmed. It undergoes 15 days of fermentation with natural yeast, followed by 5 months of aging in stainless steel tanks, resulting in a carefully crafted orange wine. Complex aromas combine various floral notes, spices, and refreshing elements. The palate is soft, with mineral notes and sweet-tart fruit flavors. There are no off-flavors, so it will change your image of orange wines made with natural yeast. By the way, it seems that grape procurement will become difficult after 2024, so this may be the first and last vintage.
Curve d'Occhi / Inoshikachou Amber 2024
3,850 yen including tax
Curve d'Occhi / Sankou (Kakutsuki Sakura) Rouge 2024
A red wine blended from Merlot, Petit Verdot, and Kerner. Merlot is destemmed and crushed, then Petit Verdot and Kerner juice are added and fermented with natural yeast. It undergoes gentle pigeage every other day during an 11-day maceration fermentation, then is pressed and aged for 8 months in old barrels. This red and white blend features a unique and enchanting finish with nuances of red fruit and the floral flavors typical of white wine. Slightly cool and moist red fruits, refreshing herbs, citrus and muscat, and nuances of tanned leather intertwine complexly, with soft tannins creating a layered finish. Winemaker Kusano comments that if you open it immediately, he recommends drinking it in a large glass at a warmer temperature, but personally believes it will show its true value after aging for 1 to 2 years. This is a unique bottle that irresistibly draws you in, bursting with Kusano's personal hobby of red and white blending, unlike anything else.
Curve d'Occhi / Sankou (Kakutsuki Sakura) Rouge 2024
3,850 yen including tax
Summary
Curve d'Occhi Winery has now become one of Japan's representative wineries.
Even now, after gaining fame, I am impressed by the way they continue to challenge themselves without stopping. The new series introduced this time is an important wine for understanding the current state of Japanese wine.
Why not take this opportunity to get one for yourself?
