GRAPE REPUBLIC
Founded in 2017 by restaurateurs and sommeliers Kazuomi Fujimaki and Takayuki Taira, Grape Republic emerged from a desire to breathe new life into neglected farmland in Taira’s hometown of Nanyo City, Yamagata prefecture (Japan). By bridging Yamagata's aging farming community with fresh and modern perspectives on natural winemaking, Grape Republic became a beacon of hope for sustainable regional development in the city that is steeped in grape growing history.
Under the dynamic leadership of Kazuomi Fujimaki in its initial years, Grape Republic has outlined a clear vision for its wine: vibrant and distinctly Japanese wines, crafted in a “freestyle” manner from grapes traditionally grown in Yamagata’s vineyards - primarily hybrid varieties like Delaware, Niagara, Steuben, Muscat Bailey A, Neo Muscat, and more. Alongside fellow innovative Japanese winemakers like Fattoria al Fiore in nearby Miyagi, Grape Republic has played a pivotal role in fostering appreciation and a new love for wines made from hybrids and non-European grapes. Furthermore, the winery also serves as a global hub for young winemakers, chefs, and general wine enthusiasts, welcoming them into their cellar to explore new Japanese wine.
Many of Grape Republic’s wines are captivating blends of green, pink, and blue grapes - enhanced by touches of skin contact and amphora aging, resulting in refreshing and approachable wines brimming with energy. This approach draws from Fujimaki’s fondness for northern Italian orange wines (such as Josko Gravner and Paolo Vodopivec), as well as younger innovative winemakers from Australia and New Zealand, notably Alex Craighead from Kindeli (New Zealand). Alex plays an important role in the development of Grape Republic, as a partner and mentor to the young winemakers who have been managing the practical work in the winery since the beginning. Similar to Kindeli wines, all Grape Republic are zero-zero natural wines, meaning there is no use of anything that is considered superfluous in winemaking. Everything at Grape Republic is covered in a healthy eco-cycle. Gibberellin treatment - a common practice used in Japanese grape cultivation to eliminate seeds is NOT applied at Grape Republic. This is to preserve the acid surrounding the seeds, which is deemed essential for winemaking.
In 2019, a new chapter began with the arrival of Haruyuki Yano, an enterprising and innovative winemaker. Yano, enriched by experiences in New Zealand under the mentorship of Alex Craighead, now steers the Grape Republic towards even greater heights.
