Region: Yamanashi, Japan
Grapes: 100% Delaware
Body: Light
Notes: Ripe green melon, fresh pineapple, white peach, candied lemon peel, and elderflower, with a soft, rounded texture and a clean, saline-mineral finish
Pairing: Vegetable tempura, sea bream sashimi, steamed chicken gyoza, fresh goat cheese, or continuous charcuterie boards
The Producer
Chateau Kiri is a highly expressive, micro-scale natural wine project operating out of Yamanashi Prefecture, the historic birthplace and spiritual heart of Japanese viticulture. Guided by a deep respect for the land and a desire to showcase the true potential of Japan's native and hybrid grapes, the winery works strictly with small, organically tended plots. Nestled in the shadow of Mount Fuji, these vineyards benefit from volcanic soils and dramatic day-night temperature shifts, which help preserve crucial acidity in the grapes. In the cellar, Chateau Kiri champions a minimalist, non-interventionist philosophy: relying entirely on wild yeast fermentations, avoiding chemical additions, and skipping filtration or fining to bottle raw, energetic wines that capture the pure, seasonal essence of the region.
The Wine
The 2024 "White Delaware" is an incredibly bright, highly aromatic white wine that showcases Delaware—a pink-skinned hybrid grape that has become a beloved darling of the Japanese natural wine scene. Often used for table grapes, Delaware reveals a stunningly vibrant, tropical, and complex character when vinified dry with minimal intervention. Sourced from organic Yamanashi plots, the grapes are gently direct-pressed to avoid extracting color from the pink skins, resulting in a pale, glistening straw-yellow juice. Fermented spontaneously with native yeasts in stainless steel to preserve its vivid primary fruit profile, the wine is aged on its fine lees before being bottled completely zero-zero. The 2024 vintage is wonderfully light-footed and precise; it masterfully balances an exotic bouquet of orchard and tropical fruits with a soft, inviting texture and a crisp, mouthwatering acidity.
Region: Yamanashi, Japan
Grapes: 100% Delaware
Body: Light
Notes: Ripe green melon, fresh pineapple, white peach, candied lemon peel, and elderflower, with a soft, rounded texture and a clean, saline-mineral finish
Pairing: Vegetable tempura, sea bream sashimi, steamed chicken gyoza, fresh goat cheese, or continuous charcuterie boards
The Producer
Chateau Kiri is a highly expressive, micro-scale natural wine project operating out of Yamanashi Prefecture, the historic birthplace and spiritual heart of Japanese viticulture. Guided by a deep respect for the land and a desire to showcase the true potential of Japan's native and hybrid grapes, the winery works strictly with small, organically tended plots. Nestled in the shadow of Mount Fuji, these vineyards benefit from volcanic soils and dramatic day-night temperature shifts, which help preserve crucial acidity in the grapes. In the cellar, Chateau Kiri champions a minimalist, non-interventionist philosophy: relying entirely on wild yeast fermentations, avoiding chemical additions, and skipping filtration or fining to bottle raw, energetic wines that capture the pure, seasonal essence of the region.
The Wine
The 2024 "White Delaware" is an incredibly bright, highly aromatic white wine that showcases Delaware—a pink-skinned hybrid grape that has become a beloved darling of the Japanese natural wine scene. Often used for table grapes, Delaware reveals a stunningly vibrant, tropical, and complex character when vinified dry with minimal intervention. Sourced from organic Yamanashi plots, the grapes are gently direct-pressed to avoid extracting color from the pink skins, resulting in a pale, glistening straw-yellow juice. Fermented spontaneously with native yeasts in stainless steel to preserve its vivid primary fruit profile, the wine is aged on its fine lees before being bottled completely zero-zero. The 2024 vintage is wonderfully light-footed and precise; it masterfully balances an exotic bouquet of orchard and tropical fruits with a soft, inviting texture and a crisp, mouthwatering acidity.
What is natural wine?
Natural wine is wine made with minimal intervention from the winemaker, using organically or biodynamically grown grapes and without the addition of chemicals or additives such as sulfites. The result is a wine that is unique, expressive, and often has a more complex and nuanced flavor profile than conventional wines. Natural wine is also often associated with sustainable and ethical farming practices, making it a popular choice for those interested in environmentally friendly and socially responsible products.