A tuna poke bowl with sesame seeds, spiced crispy tofu, and shitake mushrooms

Wild strawberry, bright cherry and green herbs, with a refined grip among a light body and lifted acidity

Varietal

Cabernet franc

Vintage:

• 2022

ABV:

• 11%

Funky Scale:

Middle of the Road

Style:

Region: Yamanashi-ken , Japan

"Established in 2017, Grape Republic is a newcomer to the winemaking scene. Our commitment to crafting natural wines stems from grapes grown in the climate of Nanyo City, Yamagata Prefecture.

We embrace the concept of Terroir, encompassing not only the climate, terrain, and soil but also the people and cultures of each land. Located in Nanyo City, Yamagata Prefecture, our farmland and brewery facilities benefit from hills to the north and fertile ground to the south—a perfect setting for grape cultivation.

Our mission extends beyond winemaking; we aim to revitalize abandoned farmland by producing high-quality grapes and natural wines.

Spicy tuna rolls, a grilled mushroom pizza, and grilled chicken with lemon and oregano

Light-to-medium bodied, with gentle, silky tannins, and notes of raspberry, cherry, thyme and black pepper. A persistent acidity keeps things lifted through a lingering fruity, subtly spicy finish

Varietal:

Merlot, Cab Franc, Syrah

Vintage:

• 2023

ABV:

• 13%

Funky Scale:

Mostly Classic

Style:

Region: Languedoc, France

Perched at the very top of a 600-meter summit in Roquetaillade, Geneviève and Gilles Azam are basically living the dream—surrounded by an amphitheater of vineyards, breathing in fossil-filled clay-limestone air, and crafting wines that somehow capture the magic of the Languedoc.

For nearly 20 years, they’ve been building their 30-hectare Domaine with patience, love, and an obsession for authenticity. Everything is organic, hand-harvested, and fermented with native yeasts—no shortcuts, no tricks, just pure terroir in a bottle. Their sparkling wines? Now completely made in-house, from vineyard to disgorgement, thanks to some serious Champagne know-how and a lot of elbow grease.

Beef bourguignon, a cheeseburger, and soft, creamy cheeses

Light-to-medium bodied, a well-integrated acidity, and notes of blackberry, smoked cedar, graphite, and forest herbs with silky, gentle tannins

Varietal:

Cabernet Franc

Vintage:

• 2020

ABV:

• 12%

Funky Scale:

Mostly Classic

Style:

Region: Loire Valley, France

Run by Gérald Vallée since 1997, Domaine de la Cotelleraie is a 26-hectare family estate devoted to Cabernet Franc in the heart of Saint-Nicolas-de-Bourgueil. Farming organically since 1999 (certified in 2012), Gérald works the vines by hand, focusing on living soils and balanced yields. In the cellar, fermentations are slow and natural, aging takes place in large oak foudres and barriques, and every decision is made to let the gravelly and limestone terroirs speak clearly. The result: fresh, precise, and vibrant Loire reds that combine immediate drinkability with real aging potential.

Fried rice with kimchi, a watermelon and mint salad, and a sloopy joe on a potato bun

Delicate and layered, with smooth tannins and a light body that go perfectly with a chill. Crisp notes of red fruits, wild flowers, wet stones and herbs, concluded by a bright, salty finish

Varietal:

Gamay

Vintage:

• 2023

ABV:

• 12%

Funky Scale:

Classic

Style:

Region: Beaujolais, France

Clotaire Michal has wine in his veins. From his early days swirling glasses as a sommelier in top spots across France and the UK, to a five-year deep-dive under legendary winemakers like Christophe Peyrus and the iconic Thierry Allemand in the Rhône, Clotaire didn’t just learn winemaking — he lived it. In 2013, he and his wife Yuka (who officially joined the Domaine in 2018) took a leap of faith and built something rare: a soulful, old-vine haven in Saint-Étienne-la-Varenne, where pink granite and 100-year-old Gamay vines tell a story you can taste in every glass. No chemicals, no shortcuts, no trendy “glouglou” vibes here.