Shinji Noda – Tenku no Winery (Aso, Kumamoto Prefecture)

Perched high in the volcanic highlands of Aso, Tenku no Winery—literally “Winery of the Sky”—is run by Shinji Noda, who combines traditional Japanese farming with natural winemaking techniques.
His vineyards, surrounded by mountains and active volcanic soil, are cultivated without chemicals and irrigated only by rainfall. Noda produces small batches of wine using wild yeast and no additives, often aged in clay amphora or neutral barrels.
The resulting wines are bold yet graceful, with smoky minerality and a distinct sense of altitude. Tenku no Winery stands as a southern counterpart to Japan’s northern natural wine pioneers, reflecting both the resilience and artistry of rural Kyushu.