Torocco Winery
Slow and steady - wines that will reward the wait.
Founded 2021, winery completed 2024
Hokuto, Hokkaido
Varieties planted
Chardonnay, Gewürztraminer, Pinot Gris, Riesling, Savagnin, Sauvignon Gris, Pinot Noir, Zweigeltrebe, Pinot Meunier, Gamay
The People
Unlike many smaller family-owned wineries in Japan, Torocco Winery was founded by Aki Nagao - chef owner of the famous Aki Nagao restaurant in Sapporo. The winemaker, Sachiko Ishida and her team manage Torocco's new winery and approximately 3.5 hectares of vineyards together. During harvest, employees from the various restaurants and wine bars belonging to the Aki Nagao group come together to help out with harvesting the grapes, so in a way, it's wine made by people who sell wine.
The Land
Situated in Hokuto, just northwest of Hakodate City in Hokkaido, Torocco Winery sits only about 7km from Hakodate Bay. Passing across the bay is the relatively warm Tsugaru current, which helps moderate temperatures and keeps things a little warmer than other parts of Hokkaido, especially compared to those further inland. It's still cold in winter though, but Hokuto still gets enough snow to cover the vines completely, protecting them from subzero temperatures.
The Wine
At the moment, all but one of Torocco Winery's wines are made from grapes purchased from contract farmers, and the first wines produced from domaine fruit are likely to be from the 2027 or 2028 vintage. In a way, their wines are a proof of concept - evidence of the experience they've gained since 2021 and the thoughtful winemaking that resulted from it. We're incredibly excited to see what they get up to once their vines mature, and have no doubt they will produce outstanding wines.
