Shop Sato Wines

Sato

Yoshiaki Sato and his wife Kyoko harbor a deep passion for wine that led them on a unique journey. Originating from careers in international banking in Tokyo and London, they took a bold step toward realizing their wine aspirations by relocating to New Zealand. After a brief period at Lincoln University in Christchurch, where they pursued a graduate diploma in viticulture & viniculture, they eventually found themselves in Central Otago.

Yoshiaki Sato honed his craft during a two-year tenure at Felton Road alongside Blair Walters and a time at Mount Edward with Duncan Forsyth. The year 2009 marked the inception of the Sato label, as they acquired organically produced grapes, crafting their first 250 cases of Pinot Noir. A fervent advocate for organics and biodynamics, Sato adopts a hands-off approach in the winery, relying on natural ferments sans commercial yeasts, eschewing additives in the fermentation process, and employing minimal sulfur just before bottling.

In early 2016, the Satos made a significant investment by acquiring a 5-hectare (3.2 hectares effective) east-facing plot on Mount Pisa near Cromwell. This chemical-free site, featuring Cabernet Franc, Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc, Gamay Noir, and Pinot Noir plantings, serves as a testament to their unwavering dedication to sustainable and quality winemaking.