Founded in 2017 by Yuki Nakagawa and Kaori Otsuka, Grape Republic is a pioneering winery located in Nanyo, Yamagata Prefecture, Japan. With a vision to redefine Japanese wine, the winery combines locally grown grapes with a natural, low-intervention philosophy, producing wines that express both the character of the fruit and the unique climate of northern Japan.
Grape Republic works closely with organic and sustainably minded growers while also cultivating its own vineyards. Alongside classic European varieties, the winery champions native and hybrid Japanese grapes such as Delaware, Steuben, Muscat Bailey A, Niagara, and Koshu, crafting wines that are vibrant, distinctive, and deeply rooted in their origin.
In the cellar, fermentation is carried out with indigenous yeasts, with minimal additions and intervention throughout the winemaking process. Most wines are bottled unfined and unfiltered, allowing their purity, texture, and lively energy to shine through. The result is a collection of expressive wines that balance freshness, precision, and drinkability.
Known for their colourful, artistic labels and innovative blends, Grape Republic has quickly become one of Japan's most exciting natural wine producers. Their wines embody a spirit of creativity, sustainability, and respect for nature, earning a devoted following both in Japan and around the world.
Type: Orange Wine (Natural / Skin-Contact / Minimal Intervention)
Region: Yamagata Prefecture, Japan
Grapes: 85% Delaware, 15% Niagara
Alcohol ABV: 11.5%
Tasting Profile and Key Notes
Aroma:
Fresh and expressive aromas of mandarin orange, orange peel, ripe grape, white peach, and citrus blossom. The wine carries a distinctive Japanese table grape character, showing delicate floral notes, subtle candy-like fruitiness, and hints of fresh herbs.
Palate:
Light-bodied, vibrant, and refreshing with juicy citrus and orchard fruit flavours. Gentle skin contact provides a subtle phenolic texture and grip, while bright acidity lifts the palate and keeps the finish clean, lively, and easy-drinking. The finish shows a pleasant balance of fruit sweetness, slight bitterness, and mineral freshness.
Winemaking
The grapes are 100% destemmed and undergo spontaneous fermentation with indigenous yeasts, followed by 6–14 days of skin maceration in amphora and fibre tanks. The wine is then aged with approximately 65% in amphora and 35% in stainless steel tanks before bottling. Made without clarification, filtration, or added sulfur, Arancione reflects Grape Republic’s natural winemaking philosophy and pure expression of Japanese fruit.
Farming
The grapes are sourced from vineyards in Yamagata Prefecture, where the cool climate and large diurnal temperature variation help preserve freshness and aromatic intensity. Grape Republic works closely with local growers using low-intervention farming practices, allowing native grape varieties such as Delaware and Niagara to express their unique Japanese terroir and natural character.
Type: Light Red Wine (Natural / Minimal Intervention)
Region: Yamanashi Prefecture, Japan
Grapes: 100% Muscat Bailey A
Alcohol ABV: Approximately 10–11%
Tasting Profile and Key Notes
Aroma:
Bright and expressive aromas of fresh strawberry, raspberry, red cherry, and wild berries, with the distinctive candied fruit character typical of Muscat Bailey A. Delicate floral notes, violet, red grape skin, and subtle herbal nuances add complexity, creating an aromatic profile that is both playful and elegant.
Palate:
Light-bodied, juicy, and vibrant with refreshing acidity and soft tannins. The palate shows flavours of red berries, cherry, and fresh grapes, supported by a gentle phenolic grip from skin contact. The finish is clean and lively, with a subtle savoury and tea-like character that makes it extremely food-friendly and approachable. Muscat Bailey A is a Japanese-developed grape variety known for producing fragrant, lighter-bodied red wines with bright fruit expression.
Winemaking
The grapes are carefully hand-harvested and fermented spontaneously with indigenous yeasts using a low-intervention approach. The fruit undergoes gentle skin maceration to extract colour, aroma, and structure before ageing in neutral vessels to preserve freshness and purity. Bottled with minimal intervention, the wine reflects Grape Republic’s philosophy of showcasing Japanese grape varieties through natural winemaking.
Farming
The Muscat Bailey A grapes are sourced from vineyards in Yamanashi Prefecture, one of Japan’s most important wine regions, where warm days, cool nights, and careful vineyard management help maintain aromatic intensity and freshness. Grape Republic works with local growers who focus on sustainable, low-intervention farming practices, allowing this uniquely Japanese grape variety to express its natural fruit character and regional identity.
Type: Skin-Contact White Wine (Natural / Minimal Intervention)
Region: Yamagata & Yamanashi, Japan
Grapes: Delaware, Niagara, Steuben, and other local varieties
Alcohol ABV: 11–11.5%
Tasting Profile and Key Notes
Aroma:
Highly aromatic with vibrant notes of mandarin orange, white peach, apricot, pear, and fresh grapes. Floral hints, citrus peel, and subtle herbal nuances are layered with a gentle candy-like character typical of Delaware grapes, alongside a delicate savoury and mineral complexity.
Palate:
Light-bodied, juicy, and refreshing with a lively expression of Japanese table grapes. Bright acidity lifts flavours of citrus, stone fruits, and orchard fruits, while gentle skin-contact adds a subtle phenolic texture and grip. The finish is clean, dry, and slightly savoury, with an appealing umami character and excellent drinkability.
Winemaking
Grape Republic Bianco is crafted using a combination of direct pressing, whole-cluster fermentation, and short skin maceration techniques to build texture and complexity. The wine undergoes spontaneous fermentation with indigenous yeasts and is aged in stainless steel tanks before bottling. Made with minimal intervention, it is unfined, unfiltered, and produced without additives, reflecting the producer’s natural winemaking philosophy.
Farming
The grapes are sourced from vineyards in Yamagata and Yamanashi, two regions known for their cool climate and strong day-to-night temperature variation, which helps preserve freshness and aromatic intensity. Grape Republic follows organic farming principles, focusing on healthy soils, biodiversity, and allowing each grape variety to express its natural character and Japanese terroir.
Type: Sparkling White Wine (Pét-Nat / Natural / Minimal Intervention)
Region: Yamagata Prefecture, Japan
Grapes: 50% Delaware, 25% Niagara, 11% Neo Muscat, 6% Seyval Blanc 9110, 6% Steuben, 2% Rosario Bianco
Alcohol ABV: 10.5%
Tasting Profile and Key Notes
Aroma:
Highly aromatic and playful, bursting with notes of mango, banana, white peach, lychee, Muscat grape, citrus blossom, and tropical fruits. The signature candy-like fragrance of Delaware grapes is balanced by delicate floral notes and subtle wild yeast complexity, creating an unmistakably vibrant Japanese expression.
Palate:
Light-bodied and lively with gentle natural bubbles and refreshing acidity. Juicy tropical fruits, fresh table grapes, citrus, and white peach are complemented by a soft lees-derived creaminess and delicate umami. The finish is crisp, clean, and effortlessly drinkable, with a subtle cloudy texture that enhances the wine's charm and freshness.
Winemaking
The grapes are hand-harvested from organically managed vineyards and fermented spontaneously with indigenous yeasts. Most of the fruit undergoes short skin maceration before fermentation in stainless steel, while a portion of sweet Steuben juice is blended back just before bottling. The wine completes fermentation in bottle using the ancestral (Pét-Nat) method, creating its natural sparkle without fining, filtration, or added sulphur.
Farming
The fruit is sourced from vineyards across Yamagata Prefecture, where cool growing conditions and significant day-to-night temperature variation preserve freshness and aromatic intensity. Grape Republic works closely with growers who follow organic and low-intervention farming practices, avoiding synthetic chemicals while encouraging biodiversity and healthy vineyard ecosystems. The result is a vibrant sparkling wine that captures the purity and individuality of Japan's emerging natural wine scene.
Type: Light Red Wine (Natural / Minimal Intervention)
Region: Yamagata Prefecture, Japan
Grapes: 70% Steuben, 12% Merlot, 10% Hokujun, 6% Cabernet Sauvignon, 2% Cabernet Franc
Alcohol ABV: 10.5%
Tasting Profile and Key Notes
Aroma:
Expressive aromas of wild strawberry, red berries, fresh grape skins, and delicate floral notes. Layers of herbal complexity reminiscent of fern, oolong tea, and subtle spice add an intriguing savoury dimension to the naturally fruity profile.
Palate:
Light-bodied, juicy, and vibrant with a refreshing balance of sweet-tart red fruit character and bright acidity. The palate shows flavours of strawberry, cherry, and fresh berries, supported by soft tannins from gentle skin contact and a subtle tea-like finish. An elegant and highly drinkable natural red that bridges the gap between red wine and chilled glou-glou styles.
Winemaking
The grapes are carefully destemmed and undergo spontaneous fermentation with indigenous yeasts, with skin maceration lasting around 6–15 days in stainless steel tanks and amphora. The wine is aged with approximately 50% in amphora, 40% in stainless steel tanks, and 10% in old 500L barrels to build texture while preserving freshness. Bottled unfined, unfiltered, and without added sulfur or additives, Rosso 2023 reflects Grape Republic’s low-intervention approach.
Farming
The grapes are sourced from organically farmed vineyards in Nanyo City, Yamagata Prefecture, where the cool climate and strong diurnal temperature variation help maintain freshness and aromatic intensity. Grape Republic works closely with local growers using natural farming practices, allowing Japanese grape varieties and the unique terroir of Yamagata to express themselves with purity and character.