Coco Farm & Winery

Location: Tochigi, Japan
Founded: est. 1958
Estate size: 6 ha

Coco Farm & Winery is a pioneering Japanese natural winery in Ashikaga, Tochigi Prefecture, founded in 1958 when special education teacher Noboru Kawada and his students with intellectual disabilities carved vineyards into a steep 38-degree mountainside. The winery produces approximately 250,000 bottles annually from 100% Japanese-grown grapes, using wild yeast fermentation and no herbicides or chemical fertilizers. Their wines have been served at the G8 Summit and other diplomatic occasions, demonstrating that quality craftsmanship transcends conventional ability measures.

Approach

Philosophy

Rooted in founder Noboru Kawada's belief: 'Put all your strength into something that will ultimately disappear.' Residents of Kokoromi Gakuen work alongside staff on all viticulture tasks. Guided by minimal intervention: wild yeast fermentation, no chaptalization, minimal SO2, unfiltered bottling. American enologist Bruce Gutlove applies natural farming principles inspired by Masanobu Fukuoka.

Portfolio

Coco Farm & Winery

Philosophy

Wines (22)