When I visited Sapporo, Hokkaido, in April, I decided to venture a little farther north and make a day trip to Yoichi, a town known for both whisky and wine.
Yoichi is famous for its whisky distilleries, but it’s also blessed with a climate and natural environment, ideal for growing fruits such as grapes and apples. In recent years, the town has become one of Japan’s most interesting wine-producing regions, with a growing number of wineries.
I learned that government initiatives, including special-zone recognition, together with the success of pioneering winemakers, have helped create an environment where new wineries can more easily establish themselves. As a result, people from all over Japan who dream of making wine have been moving to Yoichi.
One of the wineries I particularly wanted to visit was Occi Gabi Winery.
I was curious to taste the wines made by Executive Director Kiichiro Ochi, who studied winemaking at a national wine school in West Germany in his mid-twenties. I was also drawn to the beautiful winery grounds and wanted to experience the atmosphere for myself.
A Relaxing Lunch at Occi Gabi Winery
The winery has a restaurant where you can enjoy a meal paired with their wines.
For my main course, I chose the hamburger steak. The meat was wonderfully tender and almost melted in my mouth, while the red-wine sauce added a rich and delicious flavor.
For wine, I followed the sommelier’s recommendation and tried a white wine called Muskateller. It had a lovely, fragrant aroma and was absolutely delicious. It paired beautifully with the meal.
What impressed me just as much as the food and wine was the professionalism of the restaurant staff.
Everyone was attentive and welcoming, creating a comfortable and relaxing atmosphere without making the experience feel overly formal. It was clear that the staff played an important role in making the restaurant such a pleasant place to spend time.
An Unexpected Connection to Singapore
While chatting with the staff, I discovered an unexpected connection to Singapore.
The wife of Kiichiro Ochi, the winery’s representative director, had previously lived in Singapore on an overseas assignment.
I never expected to meet someone with a connection to Singapore in the small town of Yoichi, so the discovery was a lovely surprise.
One of the things I enjoy about traveling in Japan is finding these unexpected connections. Even when you travel far from the places you know, you sometimes discover a small link that makes the experience feel surprisingly familiar.
A Winery with a Future Hot Spring?
There is also something exciting planned for the future.
I was told that the winery recently drilled for hot spring water on its spacious grounds, and there are plans to build a hot spring facility in the near future.
Just imagine enjoying a delicious meal and a glass of Japanese wine, taking in the beautiful scenery of the winery, and then relaxing in a hot spring.
That sounds like a wonderful way to spend a day in Hokkaido.
Discover a Different Side of Hokkaido
When people think of Yoichi, whisky is often the first thing that comes to mind. But Yoichi has much more to offer.
It is a fascinating destination for anyone interested in Japanese wine, local food, beautiful landscapes, and the people who are creating something new in Hokkaido.
If you are visiting Sapporo, consider taking a little extra time to travel to Yoichi. A visit to Occi Gabi Winery is a wonderful way to discover another side of Hokkaido—and perhaps enjoy a glass of Japanese wine along the way.
If you are looking for a unique experience beyond Sapporo, Yoichi is definitely worth the trip
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オチガビワイナリー
OcciGabi Winery
https://www.occigabi.net/
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