Exclusively represented in Denmark by Rarité
Domaine Mont
Nobori, Yoichi · Hokkaido · Japan
Domaine Mont was founded in 2016 in Nobori, Yoichi. On just 1.5 hectares, Atsuo Yamanaka has created a cult domaine where Pinot Gris, local collaborative parcels and cider become wines with umami, texture and an identity entirely their own.
Behind the domaine
Atsuo Yamanaka
Before wine, Atsuo was a professional snowboarder. He later spent two years with Takahiko Soga at Domaine Takahiko before establishing Domaine Mont in 2016. The free-spirited background and the precise Japanese sense of craft meet in work that is both personal and extremely consistent.
Atsuo grew up in a family that sold Japanese tea. It has shaped his ideal of taste: complex aroma, fine texture, amino-acid-driven umami, long aftertaste and a gentle mouthfeel. He chose Pinot Gris as the grape best able to carry that expression, and grows only Pinot Gris in his own vineyard.
The wines are released when Atsuo considers them ready. Some cuvées appear only after several years, and production can be one or two barrels. This has made Domaine Mont one of Japan's most hunted small names. The expression is entirely its own: Hokkaido's climate, Japanese food culture and Atsuo's sensibility gathered in the bottle.
Vineyards and cellar
1.5 hectares in cool Yoichi
The home vineyard lies around 50 metres above sea level in Nobori and faces east. It receives sun from early morning as well as good ventilation and drainage. Daytime temperatures rarely exceed 30 degrees, and nights often fall below 20. This preserves acidity while the grapes achieve ripeness.
Atsuo avoids herbicides and chemical pesticides and tries to keep heavy machinery out of the vineyard. As much as possible is done by hand. The aim is both biodiversity and the ability to notice even small changes in the vines early. The home vineyard holds around 5,000 Pinot Gris vines, including a small portion on their own roots.
Dom Gris and Dom Gris JK are fermented spontaneously with whole bunches, bottled unfiltered and unfined without added sulphur, and normally spend one year in Taransaud barrels. Several collaborative cuvées follow the same uncompromising practice. The first Danish allocation comprises Mont-C 2025, Mont Blanc AK 2023 and 2024, Pinot Rosé 2024 and Dom Gris 2024.
The wines
Dom Gris Pinot Gris
100 per cent Pinot Gris from the home vineyard · light maceration · spontaneous whole-bunch fermentation · 1 year in Taransaud barrels · without fining, filtration or added sulphur
Dom Gris is the house flagship. The orange hue comes from a light maceration that draws out umami and texture without making the wine heavy. The nose is complex with citrus, tea, spice and dried fruit; the palate is saline, layered and very long. A singular wine and one of the clear reference bottles for modern Japanese wine.
Dom Gris JK Pinot Gris · egne rødder
Pinot Gris from the small ungrafted portion of the home vineyard · often only 1–2 barrels · no production in some years
JK comes from vines on their own roots. They are difficult to cultivate, prone to coulure and millerandage, and give extremely low yields. The wine is more intense, wild and concentrated than Dom Gris, but retains the fine texture. One of the rarest cuvées in Japan.
Pinot Noir AK Pinot Noir
100 per cent Pinot Noir from Aki Vineyard · inspired by Poulsard · 1 year in oak · without fining, filtration or added sulphur
Pinot Noir AK is made with inspiration from Poulsard in the Jura. It is pale, delicate and juicy with red berries, tea, herbs and a very fine texture. The cool fruit and the low weight make it extremely gastronomic. A Pinot Noir that reflects Atsuo's own eye rather than imitating Burgundy.
Montrlot Merlot
100 per cent Merlot from Souma Farm in Nobori · spontaneous whole-bunch fermentation · 1 year in Taransaud barrels
Montrlot shows how elegant Merlot can become in Hokkaido's cool climate. The fruit is dark, but the acidity is clear, and a soft spiced depth emerges with air. Atsuo himself recommends a few years of bottle ageing. It is a distinctive, sensual and very rare Merlot.
Mont Blanc AK Kerner
100 per cent Kerner from Aki Vineyard · whole-bunch pressing · spontaneous fermentation · 1 year in stainless steel · without added sulphur
Mont Blanc AK is floral and bright with citrus, white fruit and the fine petrol note that Kerner develops with bottle age. The steel élevage keeps the wine clean and precise. It has great aromatic charm and a freshness that suits Japanese cuisine perfectly.
Mont-C Cider
Apples from Yoichi · around 10 varieties · spontaneous primary and bottle fermentation · unfiltered, unfined and without added sulphur
Mont-C draws on Yoichi's long apple-growing history. Around ten varieties provide fresh fruit, bitterness and structure alike. The natural bottle fermentation makes the cider lively and dry. It is easy to drink, but has enough complexity and acidity to work seriously at the table.
The first allocation arrives in September 2026. Current vintages, formats and quantities appear on the price list. The smallest cuvées are distributed by allocation.