I want to buy some New Zealand wine, but...
What kind of wine should I choose?
I don't know where to buy it...
Is there anyone out there who is having a bit of a problem like this? The amount of New Zealand wine imported to Japan is still small, and compared to wines from other countries, it is hard to find in stores. Naturally, that makes it hard to find information about New Zealand wine.
For those of you who are interested in New Zealand wine but don't know how to find it, we'll introduce you to some recommended wines and where you can buy them !
-
Natchan
I'm 29 years old and work for a web company. I'm studying wine in the hopes of being able to enjoy it more.
- Mika is 35 years old and works at an apparel company. She is getting into wine and is really interested in wine glasses.
- Iwasu is a sommelier who oversees this website. He runs a bar in Nagoya that stocks a wide range of New Zealand wines.
NZ wine is hard to come by and there are few low-priced options.
Before getting into the main topic, let's briefly touch on the availability and prices of New Zealand wine.
New Zealand has a very short history of wine production, but the high-quality wines produced in the country's favorable climate are attracting attention from around the world.
However, when buying New Zealand wine in Japan, the basic premise is that
- Harder to get than in other countries
- There are few low-priced items
This is what we can say.
Why is that?!
Yes. It's hard to generalize, but one of the main reasons is that nearly 90% of wineries in New Zealand are small-scale producers known as "boutique wineries."
The total production of New Zealand wine is small compared to other countries such as France, Italy, Australia and Chile, and the amount imported into Japan is limited, so it is still rarely available in stores.
In addition, because boutique wineries produce wine on a small scale and with a lot of effort, the production costs per bottle of wine tend to be higher.
In Japan, Chilean wines, which are classified as New World like NZ wines, can be purchased from the 500 yen range, but there are no NZ wines that are this low priced. Even wines under 1,500 yen are still rare, with the most popular price range being 1,500 to 2,000 yen, followed by the 3,000 to 5,000 yen range (domestic sales volume in 2019).
However, even in New Zealand there are still high quality wines at wallet friendly prices!
Sileni is an exceptionally good value wine!
The winery's name is "Sileni" . It's the perfect brand to learn the basics of New Zealand wine.

Source: Enoteca Online Shop
Here are three recommended points of Sileni.
- Sileni's classic "Cellar Selection" can be purchased for as little as 1,000 yen.
- With its authentic "French taste", it goes perfectly with meals!
- Available for purchase at major wine retailer Enoteca stores and online shops
Sileni is one of the most popular New Zealand wines in Japan. Their Cellar Selection series is a huge hit, offering high-quality wines at prices starting from 1,000 yen.
In addition, price fluctuations due to the grape harvest year and variety are kept to a minimum, so even Pinot Noir, a red wine grape variety that tends to be on the higher end, can be purchased for as little as 1,900 yen.
It's great to be able to enjoy NZ wine at a reasonable price!
It's hard to find a New Zealand wine that offers such good value for money!
Of course, it's not just the price that's high, but the quality is also highly regarded around the world.
Sileni's wines are authentic "French taste" style.
NZ is located at almost the same latitude as France in the northern hemisphere, so the climate is said to be very similar to that of France. Taking advantage of this environment, we aim to provide wines that taste like authentic French wines at reasonable prices.
In the Hawke's Bay region where the winery is based, the varieties grown are changed depending on the soil and climate, expressing the individuality of each region. They mainly produce red wine grape varieties that are often grown in Bordeaux and Burgundy.
White wine grape varieties such as Sauvignon Blanc and Riesling are grown in Marlborough, New Zealand's largest wine producing region.

And Sileni places great importance on the relationship between food and wine. According to the Enoteca website, founder Graeme Avery himself recommends pairing wine with Japanese food, and his top recommended combinations are "Sauvignon Blanc x Sushi" and "Chardonnay x Tempura."
Sauvignon Blanc and sushi?! That's surprising! But I'd like to try it someday!
Sileni wines are food friendly, so I'm sure they'll go well with any food! Please give them a try!
Another great thing about Sileni wines is that they can be purchased at Enoteca physical stores, which have over 60 locations nationwide.
At the store, you can get information about wines directly from sales staff who have extensive wine knowledge.
The online shop is also very convenient. Wine is shipped every day, including weekends, so you can easily buy the wine you want to drink. The site also has a wealth of information about wine. It not only supports your wine purchase, but also makes choosing wine fun.
Enoteca shops are conveniently located at train stations and around town!
Yes, I go there quite often. For me, Enoteca's New Zealand wine is synonymous with Sileni.
Ishiguro, who updates the NZ news on this site, lived in NZ during her high school and university days and is also a fan of Sileni wine.
What is Sileni like locally?
In the house where I was staying in New Zealand, it was a habit to open a bottle of wine and eat cheese and crackers every evening. When I returned to Japan five years ago, I had bought a box of Sileni sparkling wine and Sauvignon Blanc, and I drank them every day.
Up until then I tended to prefer red, but since then I've come to love white as well!
The Singaporean restaurant I often go to has a Sauvignon Blanc that goes really well with the food! The madam says it also goes great with Chinese food.
Sileni wines are available at reasonable prices in Japan, so I drink them the most at home. They're the winery I feel closest to.
Buying a box?! It seems this wine is loved by the locals too!
It goes well with Asian cuisine too~ I've heard good things♡
About SILENI ESTATES
Let me tell you a little more about "Sileni"!
Sileni Estate is a winery founded in 1997 by Graeme Avery in the Hawke's Bay region of the eastern North Island.

Source: Enoteca Online Shop
Sileni's wines have been highly praised both at home and abroad, including winning three awards at the International Wine Challenge (IWC) held in London in 2005. They have also been chosen as the in-flight wines on Air New Zealand and Japan Airlines.
The winery's name comes from the Silenus , a servant of Bacchus, the god of wine in Roman mythology.
It is said that the god Sileni enjoyed wine, food, and good company , and the triangle that is Sileni's symbol represents these three things (wine, food, and company).
One of the notable varieties at Sileni is the red wine grape variety "Merlot."
Chief winemaker Grant Edmonds has trained in wine all over the world, and particularly studied Merlot cultivation and brewing in Saint-Emilion in Bordeaux.
His nickname is "Mr. Merlot". He is said to be the best in New Zealand when it comes to making Merlot.
▶Sileni Estate Official Website
Currently, most of the wines produced by Sileni are available for purchase in Japan. The series consists of the following three products.
- " Cellar Selection" (affordable prices and a wide variety)
- "Grand Reserve (formerly Estate Selection)" (made from grapes from more carefully selected plots)
- "Exceptional Series" (Sileni's finest wines)
Cellar Selection
The Cellar Selection is the winery's entry-level model. It is the most affordable series, but is still high quality, so it is recommended as an introduction to New Zealand wine.
The Sauvignon Blanc in particular has received high praise from the media, including winning the Silver Award in 2020 at the Sakura Awards, an international wine competition judged by Japanese women.
The Cellar Selection is a perennially popular series. Be sure to start your New Zealand wine journey here!
This series allows you to easily purchase authentic New Zealand wines, it's great!
Still wine (non-sparkling wine)
There are many variations of the classic still wine.

variety | Origin | price |
---|---|---|
(White) Sauvignon Blanc | Marlborough | From 1,900 yen |
(White) Riesling | Marlborough | From 1,900 yen |
(White) Chardonnay | Hawke's Bay | From 1,900 yen |
(White) Pinot Gris | Hawke's Bay | From 1,900 yen |
(Red) Pinot Noir | Hawke's Bay | From 1,900 yen |
(Red) Merlot | Hawke's Bay | From 1,900 yen |
(Red) Syrah | Hawke's Bay | From 1,900 yen |
(Rose) Sauvignon Blanc (93%) Pinot Noir (7%) | Hawke's Bay | From 1,900 yen |
Half bottle (375ml)
Half bottles are convenient when you just want a little drink!variety | Origin | price |
---|---|---|
(White) Sauvignon Blanc | Marlborough | From 1,100 yen |
(White) Chardonnay | Hawke's Bay | From 1,100 yen |
(Red) Merlot | Hawke's Bay | From 1,100 yen |
(Red) Pinot Noir | Hawke's Bay | From 1,350 yen |
Sparkling wine
This sparkling wine series has been extremely popular since its release. It uses a convenient cap called "Zolk" that is easy to open and can be resealed.

Wine types and varieties | Origin | price |
---|---|---|
(White) Sauvignon Blanc | new zealand | From 1,900 yen |
(White) Pinot Gris | new zealand | From 1,900 yen |
(White) Chardonnay | new zealand | From 1,900 yen |
(Red) Merlot | new zealand | From 1,900 yen |
(Rose) Merlot (100%) | new zealand | From 1,900 yen |
Grand Reserve (formerly Estate Selection)
Grand Reserve (Estate Selection) is made from grapes harvested from a single carefully selected vineyard. It is a higher-grade series that is released after a longer aging period than the Cellar Selection.

Product name | Origin | price |
---|---|---|
Grand Reserve Straits Sauvignon Blanc | Marlborough | From 3,200 yen |
Grand Reserve The Lodge Chardonnay | Hawke's Bay | From 3,200 yen |
Estate Selection The Triangle Merlot | Hawke's Bay | From 3,200 yen |
Estate Selection The Plateau Pinot Noir | Hawke's Bay | From 3,200 yen |
Estate Selection Ridge Pinot Noir Rosé | new zealand | From 2,300 yen |
Exceptional Series
The Exceptional Series is Sileni's highest-end series.
"Exceptional Selection" is a special wine made from carefully selected plots. For the Sauvignon Blanc, young vines that are only 2 to 3 years old are used.
"Exceptional Vintages" are only released in years when the grapes are of exceptional quality.

Product name | Origin | price |
---|---|---|
Exceptional Selection Sauvignon Blanc | Marlborough | From 4,800 yen |
Exceptional Vintage Merlot | new zealand | From 10,000 yen |
Exceptional Selection Chardonnay | Hawke's Bay | From 5,500 yen |
Iwasu Wine Review
Sileni Estate Cellar Selection Sauvignon Blanc 2019

It has a pleasant aroma reminiscent of the bittersweetness of passion fruit and the white part of grapefruit peel.
There is also a gentle herbal nuance like chervil, and as the temperature rises, you can also smell the aroma of ripe pineapple.
The taste is strong and fruity with herbal nuances, and the balance of sourness and sweetness is excellent. This taste at this price is definitely a "must buy"!
Sileni Estate Cellar Selection Chardonnay 2018

The aroma is of apricot and kumquat. Rather than being fresh, it has a nuance of being lightly simmered, like a compote.
In addition, the apricot-like nuances that Chardonnay naturally has are followed by a spicy flavor from the wooden barrels, complementing it.
The fact that this whisky has such nuances of wooden barrels and can be purchased for just under 2,000 yen is thanks to Sileni Estate's incredible craftsmanship.
Sileni Estate Cellar Selection Merlot 2018

The aroma is very pleasant, with notes of black currant and red berries, as well as slight tones of green vegetables and hay.
The taste is very gentle, the astringency is moderate, and the aftertaste is light for a red wine.
We also recommend HAKA, with its eye-catching label!
In addition to "Sileni", the "HAKA" series of wines is also popular.The label design of this wine is truly eye-catching!

Source: Enoteca Online Shop
The word "HAKA" also represents the wish that "all those who drink it will be energized," just like the haka dance that is performed to raise morale before battle.
Although this wine does not have a label, it is a casual wine made by the Sileni winemaking team .
The "Haka" danced at the Rugby World Cup also drew a lot of attention. It would make a perfect souvenir or gift.
"HAKA" is more affordable than Sileni, but the quality is not inferior because the Sileni team is involved. It is a wine that tastes a little lighter than Sileni.
variety | Origin | price |
---|---|---|
(White) Sauvignon Blanc | Marlborough | From 1,800 yen |
(Red) Merlot | Hawke's Bay | From 1,800 yen |
(White) Chardonnay | Chardonnay | From 1,800 yen |
Introducing Enoteca, a store where you can buy Sileni
Enoteca, the store where you can buy Sileni, is a wine shop chain with over 60 stores nationwide.
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It was founded in 1988 by current chairman Yasuhisa Hirose with the desire to "communicate the appeal of wine to as many Japanese people as possible."
With the philosophy of "FOR ALL WINE LOVERS ~ serving all wine lovers," the company has expanded throughout Japan. Since 2015, it has been a group company of Asahi Breweries.
The charm of Enoteca
There are four main attractions of Enoteca.- Wide selection
- We deal directly with wineries around the world.
-
More than 60 brick-and-mortar stores
- The online shop is also well stocked
Enoteca carries over 2,000 types of wine from around the world, with an emphasis on French wines, especially Bordeaux .
We are committed to dealing directly with wineries, and only import as an official import agent . Even for products that we do not deal with directly, we always taste them before purchasing.
In addition to having over 60 physical stores, Enoteca also has a well-stocked online shop .
It's amazing that they sell wines that they have thoroughly tested themselves.
Yes, Enoteca is a wine shop where you can easily get New Zealand wines and we can confidently recommend it!
List of Enoteca stores nationwide
Finally, here is a list of enoteca stores.
Take this opportunity to find "Sileni" at your nearest enoteca .
Kanto area
Tokyo
Store name | location |
---|---|
Hiroo main store | 5-14-15 Minamiazabu, Minato-ku, Tokyo |
Shibuya Hikarie ShinQs store | Shibuya Hikarie ShinQs B2F, 2-21-1 Shibuya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo |
GINZA SIX store | GINZA SIX B2F, 6-10-1 Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo |
Odakyu Shinjuku Hulk store | 1-5-1 Nishi-Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo Odakyu Department Store Hulk Food B2F |
Tokyo Station Gransta Marunouchi Store | 1-9-1 Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo JR East Tokyo Station B1F outside the ticket gates |
Ginza Store Cafe & Bar Enoteca Mille | Ginza Owaricho Tower 2F, 6-8-3 Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo |
Marunouchi store | 1F Kokusai Building, 3-1-1 Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo |
Roppongi Hills store | Roppongi Hills Roppongi Keyakizaka Street, 6-12-3 Roppongi, Minato-ku, Tokyo |
Omotesando Hills store | Omotesando Hills Main Building 3F, 4-12-10 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo |
ANA Intercontinental Hotel Tokyo | ANA InterContinental Tokyo 2F, 1-12-33 Akasaka, Minato-ku, Tokyo |
Wing Takanawa store | Wing Takanawa WEST 2F, 4-10-18 Takanawa, Minato-ku, Tokyo |
Denenchofu store | 1F, Main Building, Tokyu Square Garden Site, 3-25-18 Denenchofu, Ota-ku, Tokyo |
Futakotamagawa Tokyu Food Show Store | Futako Tamagawa Rise Shopping Center B1F, 2-21-1 Tamagawa, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo |
Seijo Gakuenmae store | Seijo Corty 1F, 6-5-34 Seijo, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo |
Ikebukuro Tobu store | 1-1-25 Nishi-Ikebukuro, Toshima-ku, Tokyo Tobu Department Store Ikebukuro Store Plaza Building B1F No. 11 |
Kichijoji store | Kichijoji KK Building 1F & 2F, 1-5-25 Kichijoji Higashicho, Musashino City, Tokyo |
Atre Kichijoji store | Atre Kichijoji 1st floor, 1-1-24 Kichijoji Minamimachi, Musashino City, Tokyo |
Lumine Ogikubo store | Tokyo, Suginami-ku, Kamiogi 1-7-1 Lumine Ogikubo 1F |
Keio Seiseki Sakuragaoka store | 1-10-1 Sekido, Tama City, Tokyo Keio Seiseki Sakuragaoka Store 1F Food Arena |
Minamimachida Grandberry Park store | 1F Central Court, Minami Machida Granberry Park, 3-4-1 Tsuruma, Machida, Tokyo |
Kanagawa
Store name | location |
---|---|
Azamino Tokyu Food Show Slice Shop | Kanagawa Prefecture Yokohama City Aoba Ward Azamino 2-1-1 Etomo Azamino Station 1F |
Tama Plaza store | CO-NIWA Tama Plaza, 1-8-1 Utsukushigaoka, Aoba-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture |
Atre Kawasaki store | Atre Kawasaki 3F, 26-1 Ekimae Honmachi, Kawasaki-ku, Kawasaki-shi, Kanagawa |
Grand Tree Musashikosugi store | Kanagawa Prefecture Kawasaki City Nakahara Ward Shinmaruko Higashi 3-1135-1 Grand Tree Musashikosugi 1F |
Yokohama Sogo store | Kanagawa Prefecture Yokohama City Nishi Ward Takashima 2-18-1 Sogo Yokohama Store B2F |
Yokohama Takashimaya store | Takashimaya Yokohama Store B1F, 1-6-31 Minamisaiwai, Nishi-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture |
Yokohama Motomachi store | Kanagawa Prefecture Yokohama City Naka Ward Motomachi 2-93 ZALETTA Motomachi I 1F |
Konandai Takashimaya store | Kanagawa Prefecture Yokohama City Konan Ward Konandai 3-1-3 Takashimaya Konandai Store B1F |
Takashimaya Food Maison Shin-Yokohama | 2-100-45 Shin-Yokohama, Kohoku-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture, Cubic Plaza 4F Takashimaya Food Maison |
Chiba
Store name | location |
---|---|
Kashiwa Takashimaya store | 3-16 Suehirocho, Kashiwa City, Chiba Prefecture Takashimaya Kashiwa Store Main Building B2F |
Funabashi Tobu store | 7-1-1 Honmachi, Funabashi, Chiba Prefecture, Tobu Department Store Funabashi Store B1F No. 4 |
Takashimaya Food Maison Otakanomori Store | 1-5-1 Otakanomori Minami, Nagareyama City, Chiba Prefecture Nagareyama Otakanomori Shopping Center 1F |
Mitsui Outlet Park Makuhari Store | D-SITE 1F, 2-9-3 Hibino, Mihama-ku, Chiba City, Chiba Prefecture 50400 |
Shisui Premium Outlets Store | 2-4-1 Izumi, Shisui-machi, Inba-gun, Chiba Prefecture Shisui Premium Outlets 1635 Ward |
Saitama
Store name | location |
---|---|
Lumine Omiya store | Saitama City, Saitama Prefecture, Saitama Prefecture, Saitama City ... |
Tochigi
Store name | location |
---|---|
Sano Premium Outlet Store | Sano Premium Outlets 330 Ward, 2058 Koshinacho, Sano City, Tochigi Prefecture |
Tokai area
Shizuoka
Store name | location |
---|---|
Gotemba Premium Outlets | 1312 Fukazawa, Gotemba City, Shizuoka Prefecture Gotemba Premium Outlets 2055 Ward EAST ZONE |
Hamamatsu Entetsu store | Entetsu Department Store New Building B1F, 320-2 Sunayamacho, Naka-ku, Hamamatsu City, Shizuoka Prefecture |
Aichi
Store name | location |
---|---|
Nagoya Lachic store | 3-6-1 Sakae, Naka-ku, Nagoya City, Aichi Prefecture Lacic 1F |
Dai Nagoya Building Store | Dai Nagoya Building B1F, 3-28-12 Meieki, Nakamura-ku, Nagoya City, Aichi Prefecture |
JR Nagoya Takashimaya store | JR Nagoya Takashimaya B2F, 1-1-4 Meieki, Nakamura-ku, Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture |
Gifu
Store name | location |
---|---|
Toki Premium Outlet Store | Toki Premium Outlets 2435 Ward, Tokigaoka 1-2, Toki City, Gifu Prefecture |
Kansai Area
Kyoto
Store name | location |
---|---|
Kyoto Takashimaya store | B1F Takashimaya Kyoto Store, 52 Nishiiru Shinmachi, Shijo-dori Kawaramachi, Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture |
Osaka
Store name | location |
---|---|
Osaka store | 2-5-25 Umeda, Kita-ku, Osaka, Osaka Prefecture Herbis Plaza 2F |
Grand Front Osaka Store Cafe & Bar Enoteca Mille | Osaka Prefecture, Osaka City, Kita Ward, Ofukacho 4-1 Grand Front Osaka Umekita Plaza B1F |
Osaka Takashimaya store | B1F Takashimaya Osaka Store, 5-1-5 Namba, Chuo-ku, Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture |
Kintetsu Uehonmachi store | Kintetsu Department Store Uehonmachi Store B1F, 6-1-55 Uehonmachi, Tennoji-ku, Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture |
Hyogo
Store name | location |
---|---|
Ashiya Daimaru store | Hyogo Prefecture, Ashiya City, Funato-cho 1-31 Daimaru Ashiya Store B1F |
Himeji Sanyo store | Sanyo Department Store Main Building B1F, 1 Minamimachi, Himeji City, Hyogo Prefecture |
Kobe-Sanda Premium Outlets | Kobe-Sanda Premium Outlets 2230 Ward, 7-3, Kamizudai, Kita-ku, Kobe, Hyogo Prefecture |
Hankyu Nishinomiya Gardens store | 14-2 Takamatsucho, Nishinomiya City, Hyogo Prefecture Hankyu Nishinomiya Gardens Main Building 1F North Mall |
Chugoku/Shikoku area
Hiroshima
Store name | location |
---|---|
Hiroshima Mitsukoshi store | Hiroshima Mitsukoshi 1F, 5-1 Ebisu-cho, Naka-ku, Hiroshima City, Hiroshima Prefecture |
Ehime
Store name | location |
---|---|
Matsuyama Mitsukoshi store | Matsuyama Mitsukoshi B1F, 3-1-1 Ichibancho, Matsuyama City, Ehime Prefecture |
Shinetsu/Hokuriku area
Nagano
Store name | location |
---|---|
Karuizawa store | Karuizawa Prince Shopping Plaza Center Mall CM10, Karuizawa, Kitasaku District, Nagano Prefecture |
Niigata
Store name | location |
---|---|
Niigata store | Niigata City, Niigata Prefecture, Niigata City, Chuo Ward, Yachiyo 2-1-2 Bandai City Billboard Place 1F |
Ishikawa
Store name | location |
---|---|
Kanazawa Korinbo Yamato store | Ishikawa Prefecture Kanazawa City Korinbo 1-1-1 Yamato Korinbo Store B1F |
Toyama
Store name | location |
---|---|
Toyama Yamato store | Yamato Toyama Store B1F, 3-8-6 Sogawa, Toyama City, Toyama Prefecture |
Kyushu area
Fukuoka
Store name | location |
---|---|
Hakata store | Hakata Riverain Mall by TAKASHIMAYA B2F, 3-1 Shimokawabata-cho, Hakata-ku, Fukuoka City, Fukuoka Prefecture |
AMU Plaza Hakata store | Fukuoka City, Fukuoka Prefecture, Hakata-ku, Hakata Station, 1-1, AMU Plaza Hakata 1F |
Hakata Daimaru store | 1-4-1 Tenjin, Chuo-ku, Fukuoka City, Fukuoka Prefecture Daimaru Fukuoka Tenjin Store Main Building B2F |
Saga
Store name | location |
---|---|
Tosu Premium Outlets | Tosu Premium Outlets 1605 Ward, Yayoigaoka 8-1, Tosu City, Saga Prefecture |
Tohoku area
Miyagi
Store name | location |
---|---|
Sendai Fujisaki store | 1F Ichibanchokan, 3-4-1 Ichibancho, Aoba-ku, Sendai City, Miyagi Prefecture |
Hokkaido area
Hokkaido
Store name | location |
---|---|
Sapporo Stellar Place store | Sapporo Stellar Place East 1F, 2-5 Kita 5-jo Nishi, Chuo-ku, Sapporo |
Sapporo Maruyama store | Heartland Maruyama Building 1F, 25-1-2 Odori Nishi, Chuo-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido |
summary
In this article, we introduced the appeal of Sileni, a top-level, high-cost-performance wine among New Zealand wines, and Enoteca, the store where you can purchase this wine.
If you've never tried New Zealand wine before, or if you're just curious, we encourage you to try Sileni wine at least once!
We still have a lot of time to spend at home or in limited spaces, but why not enjoy some relaxing time at home with a glass of New Zealand wine?