Freeman Winery Winemaker Akiko Freeman and her winery manager husband Ken work together at their storybook property that is technically in the Russian River Valley AVA, but they also farm their lauded 14-acre Yu-ki Estate vineyards that’s part of the Sonoma Coast AVA, just 4 miles from the Pacific Ocean. Do the Redwood Grove tasting with a BYO picnic. 

Reserve Your Tasting Experience

Freeman Vineyard & Winery was proud to be the featured vintner at the Waldorf Astoria Park City’s recent wine dinner, part of their celebrated summer series. The evening, held on July 30, 2025, paired five elegant courses with a selection of Freeman wines—including our Rosé, Dry Riesling, Chardonnay, and the 2021 Gloria Estate Pinot Noir—served to 32 guests gathered around a communal table overlooking the mountains.

Ken and Akiko Freeman joined the dinner to share stories of the wines and the Freeman winemaking philosophy. But as beautifully seamless as the event appeared to diners, the Park Record captured the true depth of coordination required behind the scenes—from timed plating and synchronized wine pours to last-minute kitchen adjustments and meticulous attention to guest preferences.

We’re grateful to Executive Chef Stuart Roger, Pastry Chef Thea Malinao, the entire Waldorf Astoria Park City culinary and service teams, and everyone who helped bring the evening to life.

We’re thrilled to be featured in the San Francisco Chronicle’s 2025 list of the Best Wineries in Sonoma County.

Wine critic Esther Mobley highlights Freeman for its “restrained Pinot Noir tastings in a cave,” where visitors sample cool-climate wines crafted by Akiko Freeman and Eiji Daniel Akaboshi. Tastings often include Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and, on select days, sparkling wine or Riesling.

Set beneath redwoods at our Gloria Estate Vineyard, the cave offers a naturally cool and intimate experience. Tastings are by reservation.

We’re honored to be recognized among such an inspiring group of Sonoma wineries.

A similar sensibility supported the decision to choose a successor.

Akiko's father, a wine lover, expected her to become a drinking buddy in the future, and she received a "special education" from a young age, including being forced to smell wine. Her grandmother was also an expert in the art of incense, and she learned how to distinguish subtle aromas. Akaboshi, on the other hand, says, "From a young age, my greatest joy was experiencing the world through my taste and smell."

About 10 years before joining Freeman, Akaboshi attended a gathering of Japanese wine professionals held at the winery, where he tried Akiko's wine for the first time. He recalls his impression: "It was so delicious, I remember getting goosebumps." It would later become clear that those "goosebumps" were more than just amazement.

Freeman's flagship wine, "Akiko's Cuvée," is created each year by Akiko and several others tasting many wines made from grapes from different vineyards and plots, narrowing it down to around 10 different blends and blending them together. At this point, everyone tries their own blends, and the blend ratio of the one they all agree is adopted. Until 2022, Akiko's blends had beaten out the others every year and been used in the final product.

"However, in 2023, for the first time, a recipe other than mine was the best," says Akiko. What's more, she even mistakenly thought Akaboshi's blend was her own, demonstrating just how similar their sensibilities were. This experience helped drive Akiko's decision to choose her successor.

"I simply want good things to be preserved for the future. Rather than adding new value, I intend to hone the good things we have now." Akaboshi, who has been entrusted with Freeman's future, is unassuming.

Will the Japanese aesthetic of "Koufu" (light wind) blow through?

Freeman currently provides 70% of its grapes from its two owned vineyards, "Gloria" and "Yuki." With the recent harvest from a newly acquired vineyard, the proportion of grapes sourced from its own vineyards will increase to 95%, allowing for a clearer character and direction. Akiko revealed that this third vineyard will likely be named "Koufu."

Freeman has a product called "Koufu Riesling," made with grapes sourced from outside, and Ken seems to be particularly fond of the word "Koufu." "Koufu" refers to the wind that blows across the shining vegetation after rain. This word evokes the Japanese aesthetic and is also relevant to the flavor of Freeman's wines.

Ep 49: Getting Lucky in the Wine Business with Ken and Akiko Freeman

In Episode 49 of the Small Fortune podcast, Ken and Akiko Freeman sit down with host Carol Collison to share the story behind Freeman Vineyard & Winery—how a dream, a rundown winery, and a lot of determination led to a thriving family business in the Russian River Valley.

The conversation covers everything from Akiko’s unexpected path to becoming winemaker, to Ken’s early vision and their slow, steady growth strategy. They also talk about building their direct-to-consumer success through wine dinners and club events, their strong connection to Japan, and the honor of Akiko receiving the Green and White Medal for Agricultural Excellence—the first woman outside of Japan to do so.

It’s a thoughtful look at the realities of growing a winery as a couple, the importance of staying true to your style, and how to thrive in a competitive wine landscape.