2026Autumn Village Cellars Wine Catalogue●⑦●①●②●④●③●⑥●⑤L.A.S.VinoExpectedarriveNovember Throughout this trip, I was struck by the potential of Chenin Blanc. I tasted grapes at several locations prior to harvest; their high acidity and sugar levels, combined with a vibrant, taut flavour profile, I immediately recognised Chenin Blanc as a variety to watch.. At the wineries I visited, I frequently encountered Chenin Blanc of exceptional quality.L.A.S. Vino (Margaret River) MAP⑤ Established in 2013,L.A.S. Vino is located in the Wilyabrup sub-region of Margaret River. The name "L.A.S." is an acronym for ‘Luck, Art, Science’, three elements they harness to achieve maximum flavour with minimal intervention. Winemaker Nic Peterkin is the son of the founder of Pierro, and while L.A.S. Vino is situated on the Pierro estate, its style differs significantly. Nic's passion for wine was one of the highlights of the trip. His single-minded approach to winemaking̶staying focused on what he wants to achieve without fear of failure̶and his personal philosophy were inspiring, and gave me renewed motivation as a sommelier. Nic crafts his Chenin Blanc from grapes grown using biodynamic practices. It offers slowly unfolding aromas and stone-fruit flavours typical of the variety, together with a smooth texture derived from aging in amphorae and barrels. It’s a wine that I can enjoy as it evolves over time [WINE❷]. Sommelier, Mandarin Oriental, TokyoWinner of the 2025 ‘Leeuwin Estate: The Art of Fine Wine Award’RRP￥4,500L.A.S. VinoChenin BlancDynamic Blend 2022Origin: Margaret River, Western AustraliaVarietal: Chenin BlancAlc.13.9％ルーウィン･エステートLeeuwin Estate (Margaret River） MAP④ While ‘Margaret River’ is often spoken of as a single entity, wine styles vary significantly depending on the winery’s philosophy and the specific location of its vineyards. Leeuwin Estate is situated in Witchcliffe, less than six kilometers from the ocean and midway between Cape Naturaliste to the north and Cape Leeuwin to the south. I had assumed that temperatures simply became cooler the further south you travelled, but visiting the region showed me that this is not necessarily the case. In fact, average growing-season temperatures are lowest along the coast, where they are moderated by the Indian Ocean. Winds from the Indian Ocean sweep across Leeuwin’s vineyards, tempering the intense heat of the sun. The soil was also striking, characterized by a reddish hue and scattered with iron-rich stones. At the winery, I tasted twelve different wines. A particularly memorable experience was the comparative tasting of the Art Series Chardonnay featuring the 2022 vintage alongside the 2023 vintage, which had not been released at the time. The dry conditions in December and January gave the 2022 a noticeably riper fruit profile, while the 2023 stood out for its pure fruit and beautiful acidity. In contrast, the 2023 vintage stood out for its pure fruit character and beautiful acidity. Despite not yet being on the market, the wine already displayed remarkable harmony and poise. I was particularly struck by how clearly the Art Series Cabernet Sauvignon expressed its terroir. It offered a superb combination of pure black fruit flavours, a balance of ripeness with a cool-climate freshness, alongside notes of graphite and oregano, all delivered with a texture that was both tight and silky-smooth. Finally, a visit to Leeuwin Estate would not be complete without a meal at its beautiful terrace restaurant, regarded as one of the finest in Margaret River. The pairing of the roast Arkady Lamb, a local premium lamb brand known for its delicate texture and lack of gamey flavour, served with celery and black garlic sauce, alongside the finely textured 2022 Art Series Cabernet Sauvignon [WINE❸] was truly memorable. I only wish I had space to introduce all the wineries we visited, but perhaps that says something about how much this trip revealed the appeal of Western Australia. I hope to build on this experience and continue developing my skills so that I can share the region's appeal with even more people.Leeuwin EstateArt SeriesCabernet Sauvignon 2022（Screw cap）Origin: Margaret River, Western AustraliaVarietals: Cabernet Sauvignon 96% / Malbec 4% Alc. 13.5%↑ Photos (clockwise): Vino Volta , a Chenin Blanc toast with Garth Cliff and Kristen McGann. L.A.S. Vino also uses concrete tanks for its Chenin Blanc. Leeuwin Estate: with the owner, winemaker, viticulturist, and tour members; ironstone in the vineyard; roast Arkady lamb.At Picardy, I had the pleasure of meeting founder Bill Pannell!(Right) Experiencing the harvest at Frankland Estate.CODE13236●1Owner-winemaker Garth CliffTasting with Nic at L.A.S. VinoDiscovering the Potential of Chenin BlancWestern AustraliaTraining DiaryVino VoltaMéthode AncestraleChenin Blanc (Crown cap) 2022Origin: Swan District, Western AustraliaVarietal: Chenin BlancAlc. 12.7%Text: Maika YamamotoVino VoltaVino Volta (Swan Valley) MAP⑦ Vino Volta’s home, Swan Valley, is Western Australia’s oldest wine region, and nearly one-third of Australia’s Chenin Blanc is grown here. While regions famous for old vines such as Lodi in California and Swartland in South Africa are garnering global attention, the moment I stepped into Swan Valley, I could sense that this, too, was a region defined by old vines. The region is known for its scorching Mediterranean climate; although my visit took place in March, technically autumn, temperatures were still reachingf 35‒40°C. Their méthode ancestrale made from old-vine Chenin Blanccombines savoury yeast character with the grape's refreshing acidity, with flavours reminiscent of lemon candy that seem to blow away the heat. [WINE❶]. Although established only in 2018 and run by just two people, Vino Volta left a strong impression as one of the most dynamic and exciting young producers I encountered on the trip.CODE12924●2The True Character of Margaret River－9－Trying my hand at pruning under the guidance of the viticulturistRRP￥8,200CODE13608●3RRP￥13,500For wine information, please see www.village-cellars.co.jp.March 2026Winery Visit ReportA Young Sommelier’s Training Diary: A Tour of Seven Producers in Western AustraliaAs part of our support for the J.S.A. Sommelier Scholarship organized by the Japan Sommelier Association, since 2019 Village Cellars has awarded the ‘Leeuwin Estate The Art of Fine Wine Award’, Village Cellars has presented the Leeuwin Estate The Art of Fine Wine Award since 2019. Each year, the award gives a young sommelier the opportunity to join a tour of the Western Australian producers represented by Village Cellars. This report is from the 2025 award winner Maika Yamamoto, who visited seven producers in Western Australia (MAP ①‒⑦) over one week in March 2026. (Photos: Maika Yamamoto; Kisei Adachi, Sales Department) （Text: Maika Yamamoto）
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