One of the wine regions representing Japan is "Nagano Prefecture."
Speaking of Nagano Prefecture, the "Shinshu Wine Valley Concept" announced in 2013 is famous.
This Shinshu Wine Valley Concept is a promotional initiative to convey the appeal of "NAGANO WINE," and its distinctive feature is that it broadly divides the prefecture's outstanding producing areas into four areas.
Here, we will explain the four valleys of the "Shinshu Wine Valley."
About the Shinshu Wine Valley Concept
The Shinshu Wine Valley Concept was formulated with the goal of advancing the wine industry in Nagano Prefecture.
Under this concept, four areas that represent winery concentration zones within the prefecture—"Matsumoto Basin, Saku Basin, Nagano Basin, and Ina Basin"—have been delineated, and efforts such as grower development and promotion are being advanced for each area.
Incidentally, the naming of "Shinshu Wine Valley" is said to come from the fact that several of the world's renowned wine-producing regions have come to signify "wine regions" beyond the literal meaning of "valley," and thus the name was also applied to Nagano Prefecture, where the wine industry is thriving.
With the Shinshu Wine Valley Concept aiming to establish the "NAGANO WINE" brand and attract many visitors from inside and outside the prefecture by having Nagano Prefecture recognized as a famous region for outstanding wine, the concept continues to evolve even today.
The 4 Valleys
Now, let us move on to the main topic: the four valleys of the "Shinshu Wine Valley."
"NAGANO WINE" is produced from these four valleys.
- Kikyogahara Wine Valley
- Chikuma River Wine Valley
- Japan Alps Wine Valley
- Tenryu River Wine Valley
We have briefly summarized the characteristics of each valley.
Kikyogahara Wine Valley
The wine region that includes all of Shiojiri City at the southern end of the Matsumoto Basin is the "Kikyogahara Wine Valley."
As of September 30, 2020, the number of wineries is 17.
Wineries such as Kido Winery, Hayashi Farm, Alps, and Izutsu Wine are located here.
The producing region included in the "Kikyogahara Wine Valley" lies at high elevations of 700 to 800 meters, and with sunshine hours during the grape-growing season competing for first or second place nationwide, it is an ideal location for wine grape cultivation.
It produces large amounts of Concord and Niagara.
Furthermore, while Shiojiri City is famous for Merlot, cultivating this variety was originally considered difficult in cool locations.
However, through the cultivation research of growers, it grew into a producing region for high-quality Merlot, and now, partly due to the effects of global warming, the cultivation of European grape varieties such as Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon has begun to spread.
Incidentally, the "Shiojiri Winery Festa," where visitors tour wineries on loop buses, is also famous for attracting many wine fans from across the country.
Chikuma River Wine Valley
The wine region spreading along the Chikuma River basin from Saku City upstream to Nakano City downstream is the "Chikuma River Wine Valley."
As of September 30, 2020, the number of wineries is 29.
Many famous wineries are dotted throughout the area, such as Obuse Winery, St. Cousair Winery, Arc-en-Vigne, Villa d'Est Winery, and Rue de Vin.
The "Chikuma River Wine Valley" is...
- Around Ueda Taira and the Saku Basin
- The Nagano Basin and its surroundings
It is broadly divided into two producing areas like these, and differences in weather and soil conditions can be seen in each.
In the area "Around Ueda Taira and the Saku Basin," there are many vineyards situated at elevations between 600 and 900 meters, and high-quality grapes can be harvested thanks to sloped terrain and well-draining soil.
It is a place where varieties such as Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Syrah receive high acclaim.
On the other hand, in "The Nagano Basin and its surroundings," vineyards are established at elevations of 400 to 800 meters, and the slope aspects are said to be intricate and varied.
With areas high in Andosol (kuroboku) soil or well-draining gravelly brown lowland soil, the soil composition is also complex depending on the location.
There are many trellised vineyards, and European grape varieties such as Chardonnay, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc tend to receive high acclaim.
Incidentally, in Tomi City, which is included in the "Chikuma River Wine Valley," the "Tomi Wine Festa," held in collaboration by three wineries in the city, is known as an event that brings together many Japanese wine fans.
Japan Alps Wine Valley
The Matsumoto Basin extends north to south in the western part of Nagano Prefecture.
The area of this Matsumoto Basin excluding only Shiojiri City is the "Japan Alps Wine Valley."
As of September 30, 2020, the number of wineries is 11.
Wineries such as Azumino Winery, Northern Alps Vineyards, Azumi Apple Swiss Mura Winery, and Le Milieu are dotted throughout the area.
The characteristic of the "Japan Alps Wine Valley" is that it consists of alluvial fans and floodplains formed by tributaries flowing into various rivers.
Vineyards are often established at elevations around 600 meters, and it is said that high-quality European grape varieties can be harvested thanks to gravelly lowland soils and clay-rich soils.
In addition, because areas where wineries are not located also have abundant sunshine and good drainage, there seem to be many vineyard plots cultivating wine grapes scattered around.
Actually, the "Japan Alps Wine Valley" is said to be the birthplace of grape cultivation in Nagano Prefecture, and grape cultivation in Nagano Prefecture is said to have begun from the eastern area of this valley.
In recent years, unique events have also been held through wide-area collaboration with the Kikyogahara Wine Valley, making it a region to watch closely going forward.
Tenryu River Wine Valley
The wine region spanning the Ina Basin, sandwiched between the Southern Alps to the east and the Central Alps to the west, is the "Tenryu River Wine Valley."
As of September 30, 2020, the number of wineries is 4. *As of 2021, 5 wineries including "Marukame Brewery"
Ina Wine Workshop, Shinshu Mashino Wine, Hombo Shuzo Mars Shinshu Distillery, and VinVie are dotted throughout the area.
Although this land has thrived with the cultivation of apples and pears since ancient times, vineyards cultivating wine grapes have also been on the rise in recent years.
The soil is primarily lowland soil containing Andosol and gravel, but because it drains well, outstanding grape cultivation is possible.
Starting with indigenous Japanese varieties such as crimson glory vine-based Yama Sauvignon and wild grapes, European grape varieties such as Chardonnay and Merlot are also gaining increasingly high acclaim.
Although the number of wineries in the "Tenryu River Wine Valley" is still small, with considerations of suitable varieties and proactive recruitment of wineries, it is a region that will attract attention within the Nagano area going forward.
Constantly Evolving "NAGANO WINE"
The appeal of the "Shinshu Wine Valley Concept" is that it continues to evolve day by day.
The number of wineries in each valley is increasing one after another, and it is constantly moving forward with initiatives toward strengthening collaboration with the tourism sector, promotion, and branding.
The development of "NAGANO WINE" will undoubtedly hold very significant meaning for the future of Japanese wine.
Keep your eyes on the future of "NAGANO WINE" as well!
References
Overview of the "Shinshu Wine Valley Concept Upgraded Edition 2020" – Nagano Prefecture