Akiko’s Cuvée Pinot Noir among three California wines selected for the Oct. 28 event
October 24, 2025 (Sebastopol, CA) — Three California wines, including a Pinot Noir from Freeman Wines in Sebastopol, will be served at the United States Embassy in Tokyo next week during President Donald Trump’s three-day visit to Japan. The dinner, hosted by newly elected Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, is set to take place on Oct. 28.
Wines poured at the dinner will include the 2022 Freeman Akiko’s Cuvée Pinot Noir from the West Sonoma Coast, along with the 2021 Schramsberg North Coast Blanc de Noirs and 2023 Far Niente Napa Valley Chardonnay.
U.S. Ambassador to Japan George Glass and his team helped choose the wines through an extensive tasting of leading California selections.
“We are honored to have Freeman wines represent the United States at this important event,” said winery co-founder Ken Freeman. “To have our wines served alongside such California wine icons is a special treat.”
Winemaker and winery co-founder Akiko Freeman is a native of Japan, with roots in the country dating back 23 generations. In 2024, she became the first woman to receive the prestigious Green and White Award for agricultural excellence from the Japanese government.
Freeman wines have long served as a bridge between the U.S. and Japan. President Barack Obama served them at the state dinner for Prime Minster Shinzo Abe in 2015, and in 2023, Vice President Kamala Harris and Secretary of State Athony Blinken selected three Freeman wines for the State Department lunch for Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida.
The wines have also graced tables at the Japanese Embassy in Washington D.C. and at the Japanese consulates in New York City, Los Angeles and San Francisco. In his book “Wine and the White House,” author Frederick J. Ryan Jr. notes that President George H.W. Bush Sr. inspired the “America-only” wine policy for White House dinners that remains in place today. When hosting leaders from other wine-producing countries, the White House seeks out top-tier wines that share a connection to both countries.
About Freeman Vineyard and Winery
Ken and Akiko Freeman founded Freeman Vineyard & Winery in 2001 with a focus on cool-climate Pinot Noir from the Russian River Valley and Sonoma Coast. Drawn to the complexity of wines from these rugged, ocean-influenced regions, the Freemans established their winery and developed vineyards on the cool western edge of the Russian River’s Green Valley appellation. Today, Freeman’s estate vineyards include Gloria and Yu-ki, both certified organic by CCOF, along with the newly planted nine-acre Ko-fu Vineyard in the Sebastopol Hills—which will enable Freeman to produce 95% estate-grown wines. As winemaker, Akiko guides each vintage of Freeman’s expressive and elegant Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. The winery produces about 6,000 cases annually.
