Established in 2013 as the first winery to benefit from Yoichi's special wine zone designation. Yuriko, who originally worked in wine importing, experienced a revelation when she discovered natural wines that left her feeling wonderfully refreshed the next day. This transformative experience inspired her winemaking journey, leading her to train through six harvests in the Champagne region of France.
She cultivates grapes using minimal pesticides on beautifully positioned south-facing vineyards that enjoy excellent scenery and abundant sunlight. To enhance the natural vitality of her grapes, she creates a unique compost blend from fermented grape marc, specialized fertilizer yeast, and seafood waste sourced from Yoichi Bay.
Despite their best efforts, wine production still struggles to meet the overwhelming demand. Beginning in 2024, they expanded into whisky distillation in Yoichi's historic Sawa-cho distilling district, also crafting brandy and grappa from their own Yoichi grapes.
Where to Buy
Store locations coming soon
We're working to map out where you can purchase Rita Farm & Winery wines. In the meantime, contact the winery directly for purchasing options.
Winemaker
Yuriko Sugawara
菅原 由利子
Winemaking experience in Champagne, France