Founded in 1983 on the ideal of communal living and respect for nature, Bulichella has evolved into a benchmark producer in Suvereto, Tuscany. Originally established by four Italian families seeking a shared, sustainable lifestyle, the estate embraced organic farming from the beginning, long before it became a mainstream movement. In 1999, the Miyakawa family took the helm, bringing with them a remarkable Japanese–Italian cultural heritage that continues to define the estate’s philosophy, precision, and authentic expression of terroir. Today, Bulichella produces highly acclaimed red wines, operates a thriving agritourism program, and plays an active role in regional development. Their recent title as “Red Wine Producer of the Year” at the 2025 Asia Wine Ratings underscores both their technical excellence and the emotional depth behind every bottle. Below, Nicola Miyakawa, Administrator at Bulichella, shares insights into the estate’s identity, philosophy, and vision for the future.

Edited excerpts from the interview.

The story of Hideyuki and Marisa Miyakawa — blending Japanese sensibility with Italian tradition — is unique in the Tuscan wine landscape. How has this cultural duality influenced the character and philosophy of Bulichella’s wines?

The international spirit has shaped Bulichella since its founding and remains central to our philosophy. Our Italian spontaneity and Japanese method meet in a shared pursuit of quality, and this dual approach is visible in every aspect of our work—from how we value the land and respect tradition to the care we give each plant and vineyard. Even in daily operations, terms like otsukaresama and yoroshiku reinforce the mindset that blends our two cultures and guides our team. It is a multicultural journey that began with my grandfather’s motorbike trip from Maebashi to Rome in 1960, passed through the automotive world, and ultimately led to winemaking.

Organic farming has been a part of Bulichella’s DNA since its inception, long before sustainability became a global trend. What does “organic” mean to you beyond the certification?

Organic for us is a set of essential principles: never using chemicals in the production process, valuing the land and the fruits of the vineyard, and learning to interpret the land naturally to optimise quality. Organic practice is inseparable from sustainability, which for us means prioritising the well-being of our workers and protecting the long-term health of our land. It is a way of making wine that ensures both a healthy production environment and a healthy workplace.

The name “Bulichella” and its location in Suvereto seem to carry a strong sense of place. How do the estate’s land and microclimate define the style of your wines?

The name “Bulichella” is derived from bulicare, the bubbling sound of the natural hot springs surrounding our estate. We are located in the metallic hills of Suvereto, an area rich in galestro, marble, iron, and sulphuric waters, just 10 km from the Tyrrhenian Sea. This setting gives our wines distinctive balance and layered elegance: warm, sunny days paired with cool evenings, and soil colours and textures that shift between vineyards. These contrasts are naturally expressed in every glass.

You produce four award-winning reds from different varieties — Merlot, Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, and blends. How do these varietals express themselves differently in Suvereto’s terroir?

Suvereto is a beautiful area for ambitious winemakers, known for producing some of Tuscany’s most significant Merlot, as well as Syrah, Sangiovese, and Cabernet Sauvignon. Each variety reveals a different facet of our territory, and every cru offers its own unique detail of the land.

The Maria Shizoku, Hide, Coldipietrerosse, and Montecristo wines all won Gold medals. What, in your opinion, unites these wines — what defines the “Bulichella signature”?

Our signature arises from rigorous selection and a focus on bringing the purest fruit to the cellar. This results in wines that combine minerality—whether sea-salt notes, hot-spring sulphur, or iron-rich clay schists—with Mediterranean aromas such as myrtle, laurel, sage, and rosemary.

You’ve also been active in local initiatives, including the creation of the Consortium for the Protection of DOP Suvereto and Val di Cornia Wine. How important is regional collaboration for the success of small producers like Bulichella?

The DOCG Suvereto consortium is essential for presenting our territory to the world. As a small area made up of many small producers, teamwork is crucial for visibility and for communicating the collective quality we represent. My grandparents were early supporters of the DOCG, and my grandfather served as president when the first DOCG Suvereto wines came to market. This sense of responsibility continues to guide us in promoting our region.

Congratulations on winning Red Wine Producer of the Year at the Asia Wine Ratings. What does this award represent for you and your team?

Receiving this award is deeply meaningful to us. It confirms that the dedication behind each label is recognised and that our wines have strong potential in the Asian market. Although we produce a range of wines, we do not consider any single label “the best.” Every wine receives the same care and attention, and this award reflects that philosophy. Seeing such highly respected judges on the panel made the recognition even more significant for me personally, given my Asian and European heritage.

Your four Gold medals reflect remarkable consistency across different varietals. To what do you attribute this level of excellence?

Our production area is extremely versatile, and even small variations in soil and exposure create opportunities for detailed micro-vinifications. Over the years, we have studied which varieties thrive in each vineyard in terms of quality, yield, and plant health. Whether working with older, “noble” vineyards or younger plots, we apply the same philosophy of respect, selection, and hand-crafted care. Our size and teamwork allow us to monitor each vineyard closely and adjust quickly, ensuring that every variety—whether Merlot, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Sangiovese, Vermentino, or blends—is treated with the same ambition for excellence.

How do you plan to engage with importers, distributors, and sommeliers in Asia following this success?

Asia is a key market for us, not only commercially but also culturally. We have room to grow and are looking for partners who can position our wines correctly and help complete the journey that each label begins at the estate. Our work does not end when a wine is bottled; it ends when it reaches the final client and creates an experience. This is why we value storytelling and invite collaborators to visit us, stay on our estate, and truly understand Bulichella so they can share that experience with others.

Beyond sales, do you see opportunities to connect with Asian consumers through tourism, education, or cultural collaborations?

Bulichella would not exist without the collaboration between Italian and Japanese cultures, and we continue to promote this international exchange. Tourism and education increasingly go hand in hand, and we see how authentic, territory-based experiences—from wine tastings and vineyard tours to simple hikes around the estate—can leave lasting impressions and deepen visitors’ understanding of our work.

What do you hope people remember or feel when they open a bottle of Bulichella wine?

Above all, we hope people feel the genuine passion behind our wines and the effort carried forward over three generations. Our goal is to offer an enjoyable, honest experience that expresses the full potential of our terroir and unites the traditions of Italian and Japanese excellence.

Header image sourced from Bulichella.