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If you’re looking for the best David Akiyoshi wines, you’ll want to check out the Naked Wines featured selection. David is one of Naked Wine’s top-rated winemakers and his wines are sure to impress. From his refreshing Sauvignon Blanc to his rich and flavorful Cabernet Sauvignon, there’s a David Akiyoshi wine for everyone. His winemaking expertise is found in anything you might try
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Bottom Line Up Front
Naked Wines features a lot of winemakers, but David Akiyoshi is one of the best. He’s a top-rated winemaker and his wines are sure to impress. There’s a David Akiyoshi wine for everyone because he has a huge variety, and all of them are made from grapes sourced from local vineyards. My personal recommendation is the Lodi Chardonnay.
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About David Akiyoshi
David Akiyoshi began his winemaking journey in the Napa Valley for Robert Mondavi, where he learned the art of crafting world-class wines. He was the Director of Winemaking at Woodbridge by Robert Mondavi.
After stints at some of the most prestigious wineries in the world, David decided to start his own label, Akiyoshi Wines.
Akiyoshi Wines is dedicated to making small-lot, handcrafted wines that are true to their varietal character. David sources the finest grapes from top vineyards in California and uses traditional winemaking techniques to produce wines of exceptional quality.
The Akiyoshi Wines portfolio includes a wide range of varietals, from Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay to Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Whether you’re looking for a refreshing white wine or a full-bodied red, David Akiyoshi has a wine that will suit your taste.
In addition to being featured on Naked Wines, he owns a restaurant with his wife called School Street Bistro in Lodi, California. He also enjoys skiing, golfing, and collecting watches.
Selection Criteria
Before getting into some of the specific Akiyoshi Wines I recommend, I want to briefly discuss how I selected these wines for review. There are dozens of Akiyoshi Wines offered through Naked Wines, but I selected the varietals I believe stand out the most. They offer a nice balance of flavor without being overly sweet or heavy on tannins. The wines I selected also paired well with a variety of meals, so I don’t feel like you’ll be restricted by a certain palette, no matter which of these you choose to try.
Wine Buying Guide
When selecting the right wine for you, there are several things you’ll want to consider. Read through this buying guide to get a better idea of how to choose the perfect Akiyoshi Wine. With this information, you’ll also be able to shop any wine collection and better determine what you might like best.
Sweet or dry
I suppose there could be many words that mean the opposite of sweet, but when we’re talking about wine, the term is dry. A sweet wine is typically light to medium-bodied with a lighter mouthfeel. A dry wine will be medium to bold with a heavy mouthfeel. There can be sweet red and white wines just as there can be dry red and white wines.
Riesling is a semi-sweet white wine that has a light body and mouthfeel while Chardonnay is a dryer white wine with a bolder mouthfeel. There are plenty of options in between. My personal favorite white wine is Pinot Grigio, because of its citrus flavors.
Merlot is a dry red wine that offers medium body and a lighter mouthfeel than many other dry reds. My favorite thing about Merlot is how versatile it is. You can pair it with literally any food and it will complement the meal perfectly.
Red or white
While not always true, red wines tend to be dryer and heavier than white wines. They come with bolder flavors while white wines are brighter. For instance, many Pinot Noir varietals have dark cherry and chocolate flavors while a Sauvignon Blanc will have brighter fruit tones like pear or apple. This can help guide you through whether you might want to start with a red or a white wine. Zinfandel is generally a great place for beginners to start.
Region
There are many well-known wine regions throughout the world. France, Italy, Spain, Chile, Argentina, and Napa Valley are just a few. While some regions are better known for a certain type of wine than others, it doesn’t matter where your wine came from as long as you like it. Chile and Argentina produce wines that include spicier notes while the cold growing season in France produces lighter, sweeter wines than those that come from Spain or Italy.
The Naked Wines Featured Collection
Naked Wines is proud to feature a selection of David Akiyoshi’s best wines.
Click here to shop the collection.
Akiyoshi Wines Sugar Cube Blanc 2019
David Akiyoshi’s Sugar Cube Blanc is a refreshing, vibrant wine with aromas of citrus and green apple. The palate is lively and fresh, with flavors of grapefruit, lemon, and gooseberry.
Sauvignon Blanc is one of my favorite wines, and Akiyoshi’s is one of the best variations of this wine I’ve ever had. The lemon and grapefruit flavors are perfectly balanced, and the acidity is just right. This is a wine that will please both Sauvignon Blanc lovers and skeptics alike.
It’s not too sweet, and it’s not too tart. Its crispness is refreshing. This is the perfect wine for a summer day. Serve it chilled with grilled seafood or roasted chicken. I also enjoy it with white pasta or assorted appetizers.
This tastebud-tingling sweet white wine from David is flush with luscious tropical fruit flavors rounded out by a long, lip-smacking finish. 
Akiyoshi Wines Reserve Clarksburg Cabernet Sauvignon 2019
David Akiyoshi’s Cabernet Sauvignon is a rich and flavorful wine with aromas of blackberry, cassis, and chocolate. The palate is full-bodied and structured, with firm tannins and a long, persistent finish.
This is a classic Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon. It’s well-balanced and approachable, with just the right amount of tannins. The fruit flavors are ripe and juicy, and the chocolate notes add a touch of sweetness. This Cabernet Sauvignon would be perfect with a grilled steak or roast beef.
This luxurious Reserve Cabernet is flush with decadent dark fruit flavors that glide over your tongue, leading to a long, elegant finish.
Akiyoshi Wines Merlot
David Akiyoshi’s Merlot is a medium-bodied wine with aromas of black cherry, plum, and spice. The palate is smooth and velvety, with flavors of dark fruit and chocolate.
This is a delicious Merlot that will appeal to both red wine lovers and those who typically prefer white wine. I can attest to this, because I do normally prefer whites over reds, but Merlot is one of the most versatile and affordable wines there is.
The aromas are enticing, and the flavors are even better. This Merlot is the perfect choice for a weeknight dinner wine. It would pair well with roasted chicken, pork tenderloin, steak on the grill, spaghetti, or really any Italian dish.
This is an absolute steal! Impressively deep, rich Merlot that will delight your tastebuds and warm your tummy.
Akiyoshi Wines Lodi Chardonnay 2020
David Akiyoshi’s Chardonnay is a medium-bodied wine with aromas of green apple, pear, and oak. The palate is well-balanced, with flavors of ripe fruit and a touch of vanilla.
In my mind, Chardonnay is the Merlot of whites because it’s nearly as versatile and usually very afforable. It makes a great table wine. This is a beautiful Chardonnay, with just the right amount of oak. The fruit flavors are ripe and luscious. I would pair this Chardonnay with roasted chicken, fish, or creamy pasta dishes.
This is a world-class Chardonnay with added richness from a true craftsman’s touch. David’s advice for finding a similar Chardonnay: “Double the price and start looking!”
Akiyoshi Wines California Pinot Noir 2018
David Akiyoshi’s Pinot Noir is a light-bodied wine with aromas of strawberry, cherry, and spice. The palate is delicate and elegant, with flavors of red fruit and a touch of earthiness.
This Pinot Noir is the perfect summertime red wine. It’s light and refreshing, with just the right amount of acidity. The fruit flavors are bright and juicy. I would pair this Pinot Noir with grilled salmon, roasted chicken, or a light pasta dish.
You're not dreaming - this Pinot's just rich, ripe and delicious beyond belief!
Akiyoshi Wines Zinfandel
David Akiyoshi’s Zinfandel is a medium-bodied wine with aromas of blackberry, plum, and pepper. The palate is juicy and fruit-forward, with flavors of dark fruit and spice.
This is a classic California Zinfandel. It’s fruit-forward and easy to drink. The aromas are enticing, and the flavors are even better. I would pair this Zinfandel with grilled meats, BBQ, or anything with a little bit of spice.
David helped put Lodi on the map-making Mondavi's Woodbridge wine a nationally recognized brand name. Now, over 40% of California's premium Zinfandel comes from Lodi.
Akiyoshi Wines Clarksburg Voignier 2020
David Akiyoshi’s Viognier is a medium-bodied wine with aromas of apricot, peach, and honeysuckle. The palate is creamy and smooth, with flavors of ripe fruit and a touch of sweetness.
Voignier is a traditionally full-bodied white wine that originated in Southern France, but Akiyoshi’s take on the style is much more approachable. This Viognier is medium-bodied and has beautiful aromas of stone fruit.
This Viognier is the perfect summertime white wine. It’s light and refreshing, with just the right amount of acidity. The fruit flavors are ripe and juicy. I would pair this Viognier with grilled chicken, roasted vegetables, or a light pasta dish.
Mouthwatering layers of bright tropical fruit flavors and ripe, juicy peach course through this lush, summery white, all rounded off with a long, refreshing finish. 
Akiyoshi Wines Clarksburg Moscato 2020
This light-bodied wine is complex but delightful. The palate is sweet and fruity, with flavors of stone fruit and a touch of bubbles.
Moscato is a refreshing, light-bodied white wine that is perfect for summertime sipping. This particular Moscato is from the Clarksburg region of California, and it has beautiful aromas.
This Moscato is the perfect summertime white wine. It’s light and refreshing, with just the right amount of sweetness. The fruit flavors are ripe and juicy. It would pair well with grilled chicken or ice cream on a hot summer afternoon.
The perfect sweet, thirst-quenching easy-sipper for spring and summer.
Akiyoshi Wines Pros:
- A lot of variety
- Affordable
- Full of flavor
Akiyoshi Wines Cons:
- Only available through Naked Wines
- Must have a Naked Wines membership to order
Alternatives
If you’re looking for Naked Wines winemakers and you’re not sold on trying David Akiyoshi, there are plenty of other featured winemakers to choose from.
Peter ‘Juicy’ Gajewski
Don’t let the silly name fool you. Juicy is serious about winemaking. He’s been helping out in vineyards since he was a child, and he’s been making wine for over 20 years. His focus is on Old World style wines, and he sources his grapes from some of the best vineyards in California.
Naked Wines features four of Juicy’s wines including Juicy’s Assemblage 2020, The Big Juice Shiraz 2020, Juicy’s Shiraz 2019, and Juicy’s Chardonnay 2021.
Montse Reece
Montse left her native Spain to come to Sonoma, California to pursue her passion for winemaking. She sources her grapes from sustainably farmed vineyards in Sonoma and Napa Valley.
She fell immediately in love with American Zinfandel the first time she tasted it, and she now has her own label with 5 varietals featured on Naked Wines – Montse Reece Dry Creek Zinfandel 2018, Montse Reece Dry Creek Zinfandel 2019, Montse Reece Dry Creek Cabernet Sauvignon 2019, Montse Reece Dry Creek Cabernet Sauvignon 2018, and Montse Reece Dry Creek Red Blend 2019.
Hermano Veloso
Hermano continues to make Portuguese wines akin to what he knows from his home country. He knows Portugal’s signature grapes best and he’s bringing his love for them to the States.
Naked Wines features Pica Pau Portugal Rose 2020, Pica Pau Portugal White Blend 2020, and Pica Pau Portugal Red Blend 2019.
FAQs
If you’re shopping around for great Naked Wines winemakers, there are quite a few options. These frequently asked questions will help you make your decision.
Answer: The main difference is that Naked Wines is a crowdfunded wine club. Members contribute monthly to a fund that is used to directly support independent winemakers. This allows Naked Wines to offer its members exclusive wines at lower prices.
Answer: Naked Wines looks for talented, hardworking, and passionate winemakers who are committed to making high-quality wines. The selection process is ongoing, and new winemakers are added to the site regularly.
Answer: Some of the benefits of being a Naked Wines member include access to exclusive wines, lower prices, and the ability to connect with other members and winemakers.
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking for a great wine club, Naked Wines is a great option. You’ll have access to exclusive wines, lower prices, and the ability to connect with other members and winemakers. There are plenty of talented winemakers to choose from, so you’re sure to find one that you love. My personal favorite is the Lodi Chardonnay. The balance of flavor is delightful, and it’s not too sweet or too bold.
My favorite thing about David Akiyoshi’s wines is the light, refreshing taste. I also love the beautiful aromas. If you’re looking for a great summertime white wine, I highly recommend giving his Moscato a try. The variety means there’s something in his collection for everyone.
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