Ken et Kazuko Sasaki

Ken and Kazuko Sasaki are the couple who founded Nora Kura Winery in 2011, one of Hokkaido’s pioneering natural wine projects. With degrees from the University of Burgundy, their training included work at renowned domaines like Leflaive, Binner, David Léclapart and Chapoutier, learning from pioneers of organics and biodynamics. They brought these principles to Japan, establishing vineyards nearby in Hokuto. Working without treatments, they enrich their soils with kombu kelp, rice bran, and lees, creating a diverse ecosystem. Today, they farm 3 hectares, focusing on Pinot Noir and Chardonnay with touches of Savagnin and Pinot Gris, while also sourcing organically grown grapes from nearby farmers. In their cellar, Ken and Kazuko use neutral barrels, adapting each fermentation to the vintage and grape, and bottling by parcel without blending. Their wines are unfiltered, unfined, preserving the spirit of Hokkaido’s southern peninsula in each bottle.