Winter Shiribeshi Flavors: Special Wine Dinner at UNWIND HOTEL & BAR OTARU with Domaine Bless & naritaya on March 7
UNWIND HOTEL & BAR OTARU will host the special edition of its recurring event, “Taste of Hokkaido Wine & Cuisine,” featuring Domaine Bless and naritaya on March 7, 2025. This exclusive event will be reservation-only, and bookings are now open.
Taste the Winter Essence of Shiribeshi: “Taste of Hokkaido Wine & Cuisine Domaine Bless”
The hotel has been focusing on showcasing the charm and potential of local wines, inviting winemakers to share their stories at “The Ball Otaru,” a beautifully renovated historic building. Since July 2021, the hotel has regularly hosted “Taste of Hokkaido Wine & Cuisine” as an event to explore the perfect marriage of wine and cuisine.
This time, the event highlights the wine and gastronomy of Shiribeshi, a region gaining attention as an exceptional wine-producing area. Domaine Bless, formerly known as Le Rêve Winery in Niki, and naritaya, a unique restaurant specializing in soba and Japanese wine, will be joining this special evening. Guests will enjoy a one-night-only dining experience with stories from the producers themselves.
A Unique Pairing Experience with Winemakers
Domaine Bless was founded in 2015 by the Homma couple, who fell in love with Niki Town. They produce wine under the philosophy that “good wine comes from good grapes,” employing a field blend technique that integrates 13 grape varieties to create a complex and layered flavor profile. naritaya, located in the same Niki Asahidai area, not only operates a soba and wine restaurant but also grows its own grapes, which Domaine Bless vinifies on their behalf.
For this event, six carefully selected wines will be paired with the course menu. This includes five wines from Domaine Bless, embodying the concept of “wines for special celebrations,” as well as naritaya’s own 2022 vintage “Episode 1,” marking the beginning of their winemaking journey.
WINE LIST
- Domaine Bless｜MUSUBI SPARKLING ~WASANBON~ [2022]
- Domaine Bless｜ Your Story [2023]
- naritaya | Asahidai 245 Blanc Episode 1 [2022]
- Domaine Bless｜ Chardonnay [2023]
- Domaine Bless｜ ITO ~糸~ [2023]
- Domaine Bless｜ MIYABI ~雅~ [2022]
A Course Dinner Featuring the Best of Winter in Shiribeshi
The Ball Otaru will serve a special course menu using seasonal ingredients from Shiribeshi. Highlights include Meunière of winter delicacy “monkfish,” a main course featuring two types of meat—lean venison from Yoichi and the luxurious fat of the highly prized Kinka pork—creating a perfect balance of flavors.
Other dishes include gnocchi made with naritaya’s own buckwheat flour and locally grown Inca no Mezame potatoes, a flavorful local chicken ragout, and a variety of appetizers that showcase the depth of Hokkaido’s winter bounty.
Course Menu (subject to change based on ingredient availability)
- Otaru Cod Brandade
- Cheese Bruschetta
- Yoichi Herring Terrine with Japanese Dressing
- Gnocchi with naritaya’s Buckwheat Flour and Yoichi Potatoes, Otaru Local Chicken Ragout Sauce
- Monkfish Meunière with Beurre Noisette Sauce (from Shakotan waters)
- Kinka Pork Belly Chinois Style with Balsamic Sauce (from Hirata Farm, Furubira Town)
- Yoichi Venison Roast with Wasabi Cream Sauce
- Chef’s Special Dessert
- Served with Baguette from Yoichi’s “Pan-dokoro” Bakery
Stay at UNWIND HOTEL & BAR OTARU to Extend the Experience
To allow guests to fully enjoy the evening without rushing, a special accommodation package is available. Stay in the beautifully renovated historic hotel and savor the lingering joy of the event. The next morning, enjoy a high-tea-style breakfast at The Ball Otaru. This package is perfect for those who want to indulge in the wine pairings without concern or share a memorable night with a loved one.
*Please select the check-in date of March 7, 2025, to view the accommodation package options.
Event Details
Date: Friday, March 7, 2025
Doors Open: 18:30 / Start: 19:00 / End: 21:00 (estimated)
Venue: The Ball Otaru, UNWIND HOTEL & BAR OTARU
Capacity: 21 guests (first-come, first-served)
Price: ¥17,600 (tax included)
Reservations: Required in advance
About Domaine Bless
Hiroyasu Honma, a former laboratory technician in Sapporo for 16 years, and his wife Maki developed a passion for winemaking while visiting wineries across Japan and abroad. Inspired by the potential of viticulture in the fruit-growing region of Niki, they relocated there and began cultivating grapes in 2015. Upholding the philosophy that “good wine comes from good grapes,” they devoted themselves to meticulous vineyard management.
After two years of contract winemaking, they established their own winery in 2020, specializing in Alsace-style field blends and natural yeast fermentation. Their wines, shaped by Hokkaido’s terroir and careful craftsmanship, have gained recognition among wine enthusiasts. Domaine Bless also offers a lodging and dining facility overlooking its vineyards, allowing visitors to experience Hokkaido’s breathtaking landscapes and cuisine alongside its wines. As a leading force in wine tourism in Asahidai, the winery continues to attract devoted followers.
naritaya
The Narita couple moved from Tokyo to Asahidai, Niki, and began reclaiming abandoned farmland in 2019 to start their vineyard. They established “naritaya,” a restaurant specializing in hand-crafted soba made from Hokkaido-milled buckwheat flour and a curated selection of Japanese wines.
In 2020, they planted approximately 800 grapevines in their vineyard, followed by an additional 200 in 2021. Their commitment to sustainable farming avoids chemical fertilizers and herbicides, ensuring high-quality, small-scale grape production. Their grapes are vinified at Domaine Bless (formerly Le Rêve Winery), using natural yeast fermentation to create wines that reflect the region’s character.
About The Ball Otaru
The Ball Otaru is the main event space at UNWIND HOTEL & BAR OTARU, offering a refined setting for special occasions. Retaining its original stained glass from over 90 years ago, the venue features a soaring 3.7-meter ceiling and elegant lighting, blending classic architecture with contemporary design.
By day, it serves high-tea-style breakfasts for hotel guests, while in the afternoon and evening, it operates as a fine French dining restaurant open to the public. With a focus on locally sourced ingredients from Otaru and its surroundings, The Ball Otaru provides a sophisticated culinary experience in a historic yet modern setting.
About UNWIND HOTEL & BAR OTARU
Originally built in 1931 as Hokkaido’s first hotel exclusively for foreign guests, the former Ecchūya Hotel has a storied history. During wartime, it served as an officers’ club for the Imperial Army and was later requisitioned by U.S. forces after World War II. The building, designated as a historical landmark by Otaru City and recognized as part of the Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry’s “33 Modern Industrial Heritage Sites,” underwent a bold renovation after years of closure.
Preserving its architectural heritage while embracing contemporary design, UNWIND HOTEL & BAR OTARU was reborn as a boutique hotel. With a mission to foster meaningful connections between travelers and the local community, it offers a unique hospitality experience that blends history with modern sensibility.
Hotel Name: UNWIND HOTEL & BAR OTARU
Address: 1-8-25 Ironai, Otaru, Hokkaido, Japan
Access: Approximately 35 minutes by JR Hakodate Line from Sapporo Station to Otaru Station, then a 10-minute walk to the hotel.