Originally from Hyogo Prefecture, Yamada worked as both a kindergarten teacher and overseas cooperation volunteer before pursuing formal winemaking education at a Spanish vocational school. After returning to Japan, he gained valuable experience working in wine production in Yamanashi for five years.
A transformative moment came when he tasted Domaine Takahiko's celebrated 'Nanatsu-mori Pinot Noir'—an experience that left him deeply moved. 'I was genuinely impressed by its exceptional quality and immediately recognized Yoichi's tremendous potential as a wine region,' he recalls. This revelation prompted his relocation to Yoichi in 2019, where he began cultivating inherited Niagara grapes in the Nobori district vineyard while planning future plantings of Pinot Noir and Müller-Thurgau.
He crafts his wines in a thoughtfully converted agricultural warehouse that serves as both functional winery and testament to resourceful adaptation. His winemaking focuses on creating complex wines through wild yeast fermentation, driven by his mission to 'produce table wines at prices accessible to younger generations, thereby expanding the foundation for Yoichi and Hokkaido wine appreciation.' This democratic vision is perfectly embodied in his deliberately approachable winery name, 'Yamada-Do.'
Winemaker
山田 雄一郎
Originally from Hyogo Prefecture
Studied winemaking in Spain, 5 years in Yamanashi
Philosophy & Vision
Table wines accessible to younger generations
