Grape Republic Inc. Bianco 23

Grape Republic is one of Japan's most exciting natural wine stories — founded in 2017 by restaurateurs-turned-winemakers Kazuomi Fujimaki and Takayuki Taira to revive abandoned farmland in Taira's hometown of Nanyo City, Yamagata. Their Bianco celebrates the prefecture's traditional table grapes: mostly Delaware, with Niagara, Steuben, and Seibel, vinified three ways — direct press, 48-hour skin contact, and a six-day skin ferment — then blended and rested in stainless steel. Wild-fermented with zero additions, it bursts with mandarin, pear, and a candy-like lift, finishing crisp and dry with an umami note reminiscent of unfiltered sake.

Wine Details:Grapes: 70% Delaware, 10% Niagara, 10% Steuben, 10% Seibel 9110 — all Yamagata Prefecture

ABV: Not published by producer — confirm from label

Region: Nanyo City, Yamagata Prefecture, Japan

Farming / Practices: Organic, hand-harvested; wild yeast, unfined, unfiltered, no added sulfites or additives

Producer: Grape Republic, founded 2017 by Kazuomi Fujimaki and Takayuki Taira

Bottle Size: 750ml