#Japan #Sake #NIKI Hills Winery #Niki Town #Philippe Troussier

A Memorable Visit by Philippe Troussier to Niki Town, Hokkaido

On May 19, 2026, Niki Hills Winery in Hokkaido welcomed former Japan national soccer coach Philippe Troussier for an engaging event titled 'Santé-Mérion × Niki Merlot Exchange Meeting.' This unique gathering was hosted in collaboration with the local government and brought together wine producers from both Niki Town and the renowned Bordeaux region, Saint-Émilion.

Event Highlights

The event primarily focused on tasting and discussing Merlot wines, allowing guests to compare the growing techniques and flavors from two very different terroirs. Troussier, who has become a respected wine producer in Bordeaux after his coaching career, expressed keen interest in the growing reputation of Hokkaido wines, particularly from Niki Town, which has seen a significant rise in quality in recent years.

During a presentation, Troussier eloquently articulated the parallels between soccer coaching and winemaking. He stated, "Leading a soccer team and winemaking share similarities; both require discipline, balance, and the ability to highlight each element's strengths to create an exceptional outcome."

The former coach also introduced his latest wine, 'FLAT 3 by KANTOKU,' reminiscent of Japan's notable soccer achievements in 2002 and intended as a tribute to the upcoming challenges in 2026. He likened his wine lineup to soccer players, calling 'SOL BENI' a creative midfielder, similar to player Takumi Minamino, and mentioning 'FLAT 3' as akin to key wingers like Daichi Ito and Reo Hatate.

Wine Tasting Experience

Incorporated into the event were tastings of wines from three notable wineries in Niki Town—NIKI Hills Winery, Domaine Bless, and North Creek Farm. The tasting session was a collaborative effort where dignitaries, including those representing local wineries, shared their unique vintages.

Troussier reviewed the similarities he witnessed during his vineyard tour, stating, "The terroir isn’t much different from Saint-Émilion, with Japan's additional rainfall counterbalanced by refined winemaking techniques. I was fascinated by the delicate viticulture practices at NIKI Hills, and it would be fantastic to continue exchanging knowledge."

Concluding the event, Troussier passionately emphasized the significance of the day’s exchanges: “The aim of this match isn’t a competition but rather a discovery. Despite the varied wines, our shared passion is what truly matters. I hope this event serves as a bridge between Saint-Émilion and Niki Town, fostering a lasting relationship moving forward. For the ‘Samurai,’ I will continue to strive for excellence.”

NIKI Hills Winery's Commitment to Quality

After the highlights from Troussier, the mayor of Niki Town, Masayuki Sato, expressed his optimism for the future. He remarked on the town’s rich grape history, which saw only one winery until 13 years ago. Recently, several wineries have opened, positioning Niki Town as a contender on the world stage of winemaking.

NIKI Hills Winery, which debuted its operations in 2014 and welcomed visitors in 2019, is dedicated to ensuring that quality wines attract tourists from around the world. Their mission? To make Niki Town a place people yearn to visit.

The collaboration and insights gained from this extraordinary event bring a renewed sense of purpose to NIKI Hills as they continue striving for excellence in producing globally competitive wines. With Troussier’s affirmation of their potential, NIKI Hills Winery looks forward to enhancing grape individuality while crafting wines worthy of international acclaim.

Event Details

• - Event Name: Santé-Mérion × Niki Merlot Exchange Meeting
• - Date and Time: May 19, 2026, from 2:30 PM to 5:00 PM
• - Location: NIKI Hills Winery Lounge, 148-1 Asahidai, Niki Town, Yoichi District, Hokkaido
• - Supported by: Niki Town
• - Speakers Include:

- Philippe Troussier (VIGNOBLES PHILIPPE TROUSSIER)
- Asamiko Ota (NIKI Hills Winery Chief Winemaker)
- Maki Honma (Domaine Bless)
- Masamitsu Suzuki (North Creek Farm)

For more information, visit NIKI Hills Winery.
(The article includes details about DAC Holdings, the associated company behind NIKI Hills Winery, if necessary.)