Undersea aging gives the wine a smoother and more harmonious taste. While traditional aging also softens texture over time, it often leads to a loss of fresh fruit character. SUBRINA, however, retains its freshness while achieving a uniquely rounded flavor.

We hosted a comparison tasting with sommeliers, featuring SUBRINA (aged undersea) and OKARINA (cellar-aged). Feedback included the following:

• Clearly different in quality; aging is evident.
• The sharp alcohol sensation is gentler in the sea-aged version.
• Smoother and more rounded overall.
• Finer, silkier tannins.
• Open aroma and a well-integrated, harmonious taste.

For details, please see the TASTING page.

SUBRINA is aged for approximately seven months undersea, typically from November to June. The bottles are stored where sunlight can't reach and typhoon risks are avoided.

We chose this beautiful, clear ocean area to share its charm with others, working closely with the local community. In winter, the rough sea conditions create an ideal environment for underwater aging.

The undersea cellar also receives fresh water from the Nakagi River, lowering the sea temperature by about 2–3°C compared to offshore. In 2011, water temperatures from November to June ranged from about 12°C to 17°C—perfect for wine aging.

No. Each bottle is sealed with wax that has passed third-party pressure tests and can withstand depths of up to 100 meters, ensuring seawater does not enter.

The white or pink substances are calcareous algae, a type of seaweed that absorbs calcium. You may also find barnacles, shells, and sand—natural gifts from the sea.

Each bottle is unique, so we assign a serial number to every one.

Sorry, bottle selection is not available. Each bottle is shipped randomly. We hope you’ll enjoy the surprise of discovering your one-of-a-kind bottle. Some may have more marine deposits than others.

For more details, please see the BOTTLE page.

Before aging, wines are imported in refrigerated containers. After retrieval from the sea, they are stored in temperature-controlled warehouses.

Yes. Please see our summary here:

Undersea Aging Projects in Japan and Worldwide

The idea came from my diving mentor, who stored sake beneath coral shelves in Okinawa. When I tasted the sake, I was deeply moved by its mellow and gentle flavor. Wanting to share this extraordinary experience with others, we launched the undersea aging project. The business began in 2011, and in 2013 we released Japan’s first undersea-aged wine.

The name combines "Sabrina"—a graceful and elegant woman—with "Submarine"—the sea. We imagined a wine with strength and structure that, after awakening from its slumber under the sea, transforms into something soft and embracing. Inspired by the image of Venus, a beautiful and dignified woman born from the sea, we named it SUBRINA.

SUBRINA embraces sustainability both in the vineyard and the sea.

[In the Vineyard]

• Organic Cultivation: We grow grapes without chemical fertilizers or pesticides, relying on nature’s power.
• Canopy Management: We manage vine canopies to promote healthy growth and protect local ecosystems.

[In the Sea]

• Artificial Reef Effect: The undersea cellar functions as an artificial reef, enriching marine biodiversity.
• Community Support: The project provides seasonal jobs to local residents during the quiet winter months and contributes to new business opportunities. Part of our sales also goes toward local environmental preservation activities.
• Label-Free Bottles: We reduce material usage and environmental impact by not applying standard labels to the bottles.

• INTERNATIONAL WINE CHALLENGE 2024: Silver Medal *The world’s first and only award for an undersea-aged wine
• Amazon.co.jp: Featured in national TV commercials (2021–2022)
• Amazon Seller Award 2021: Chosen as one of only 21 winners out of 160,000 sellers

SUBRINA has also been featured in numerous major media outlets.

SUBRINA is produced at Graceland Vineyards, located in the Golden Triangle of Stellenbosch, South Africa—an area internationally recognized for producing the country's finest red wines.

For more details, please visit our WINERY page.

Though not as widely known as Cabernet Sauvignon or Pinot Noir, Syrah is a noble variety that combines bold structure with refined, smooth tannins. It is famously grown in the Rhône Valley and Australia, but has become popular worldwide in recent years.

In particular, cool-climate Syrah from South Africa has earned high acclaim. With plenty of sunshine during the day, the grapes ripen fully to develop rich fruit flavors and soft tannins. The cool nighttime climate helps preserve acidity, resulting in an elegant wine with depth and poise—not quite Rhône, not quite Australia, but something uniquely its own.

At Graceland Vineyards, no pesticides have ever been used—and the owners, Susan and Paul McNaughton, say they never will. Their practices could be considered organic. They use organic pellets made from ostrich manure, which significantly reduces the need for nitrogen-based fertilizers. Currently, the vineyard is in the final stages of transitioning to 100% organic cultivation.

For Susan and Paul, minimizing the impact on the local ecosystem is essential. They’ve planted 400 indigenous grapevines and another 400 non-native vines, which has led to an increase in local birds, bees, and other wildlife. Wetlands have also been preserved to support native flora and fauna—both then and now.

Since 2005, all Graceland Vineyards wines have undergone natural fermentation. Healthy grapes ferment well on their own, so no SO₂ is added during crushing; only yeast nutrients are added during fermentation.

The flavor of Graceland’s Syrah originates in the soil, and the winemaking process is kept as hands-off as possible. SO₂ is added only in the smallest necessary amount—typically after secondary fermentation (malolactic fermentation or non-alcoholic fermentation)—to prevent spoilage. During barrel aging, SO₂ levels are carefully monitored to ensure stability without overuse.

For the McNaughtons, what matters most is leaving the land in better condition than when they began. Their aim is to make a lasting impact—growing as close to nature as possible across all areas of their work.

SUBRINA is an elegant red wine with a smooth, rounded character thanks to the effects of undersea aging. It offers a fresh yet mellow taste profile.

Here is a tasting comment from wine taster and sommelier Motohiro Ohkoshi:

(Regarding SUBRINA ACT3 2019)
Aromas of ripe black cherry and roasted plum, with hints of cocoa, licorice, and forest floor—expressing the character of aged wine. The texture is impressively silky, combining richness and transparency.

Juicy fruit flavors and vibrant acidity offer a refreshing balance, while slightly dry tannins and spicy notes give the finish a clean, structured impression.

It pairs wonderfully with dishes that balance richness and freshness, such as beef stew with red wine or sardines simmered with plum.

SUBRINA can be enjoyed immediately upon arrival. However, we recommend letting it rest for about a week to settle, especially if it has experienced vibration during transport.

With time, the tannins will soften even further, and the fruit and acidity will integrate more fully. When stored in optimal conditions such as a wine cellar, it can age beautifully for several to even over ten years.

As a full-bodied red wine, SUBRINA shows best at room temperature—between 15°C and 18°C. Because the cork is sealed with wax, you may occasionally notice slight effervescence. Swirling the wine in the glass will help release any trapped gases, allowing the wine to return to its optimal state.

As of 2025, SUBRINA offers a single red wine made from Syrah grapes grown in Stellenbosch, South Africa. We provide a variety of original wrapping options for gifting purposes.

Click here to see our wrapping options

Since its debut, SUBRINA has focused exclusively on a single red wine made from Syrah.

After conducting undersea aging trials with various grape varieties from around the world, we found that Syrah from Stellenbosch, South Africa yielded the most ideal result. Its concentrated yet transparent character, along with its distinctive aroma and flavor, make it truly one of a kind.

This Syrah is crafted at Graceland Vineyards in Stellenbosch and then transported to Japan, where it undergoes final aging in the undersea cellar of Minami-Izu. SUBRINA is a wine completed through time—and we believe its taste resonates deeply with many wine lovers.

<If you plan to enjoy it right away>
Please store the bottle in a cool indoor location, away from direct sunlight.

<If storing for several months or years>
The best option is a wine cellar that maintains a stable temperature. If a cellar is not available, we recommend using the vegetable compartment of your refrigerator. SUBRINA is delivered in its original marine wrapping—please store it as is in your cellar or fridge. Note: When unwrapping the bottle, some calcareous algae or sea particles may come off.

*From May to October (the warmer months), we use refrigerated shipping to avoid high temperatures during delivery. Even with chilled shipping, storing the bottle as described above will preserve its quality.

The basic set includes the following:

• SUBRINA Wine
• Presentation Box
• Serial Number Tag
• Information Brochure
• Wine Pourer

As an option, you can also choose to add our original sommelier knife, perfect for opening the bottle.

Each SUBRINA bottle is sealed with wax to protect the cork from being pushed in by undersea pressure. Because of this, it may require a bit of technique to open compared to regular wine bottles. We’ve prepared a short video showing the best way to open it:

Click here to watch the bottle opening video

Some restaurants and liquor stores do carry SUBRINA, but we do not publicly disclose these locations. Please purchase through one of our online shops below:
*Note: Availability may vary depending on stock.

Official SUBRINA Online Shop
Amazon SUBRINA Store
Rakuten Veritas Store

For orders placed through our official online shop (https://subrina.jp/en/), we typically ship by the next business day after confirming your order (or payment confirmation for bank transfers and convenience store payments). Please note that shipments may be delayed during peak times.

Holidays include Golden Week, summer holidays, New Year holidays, Saturdays, Sundays, and national holidays.

If you need faster delivery, we recommend ordering from our Amazon Store, which can offer next-day delivery in some regions.

Yes, both are available via our official online shop and Amazon store. When ordering through our official shop, you can select from original designs for both message cards and noshi (traditional gift wrapping).

For more details, please visit the Gift Options page.

Yes, all bottles are delivered in stylish black gift boxes wrapped in various types of decorative paper.