On Tuesday, July 1, 2025, players from PFU BlueCats Ishikawa Kahoku joined grape-cluster thinning work in the vineyard of Mr. Ota, head of the Takamatsu Grape Producers Association.
The activity is part of the team's 2025 effort to make wine using local specialties as it seeks to become a community-rooted professional volleyball team loved by local residents.
Here are the details.
Another Winemaking Challenge in 2025
PFU BlueCats Ishikawa Kahoku is a women's volleyball team based in Kahoku City, Ishikawa Prefecture, competing in the Daido Life SV.LEAGUE, launched in October 2024 with the ambition of becoming one of the world's top leagues.
The team also produced an original Japanese wine in 2024. In 2025, to place a stronger emphasis on supporting recovery from the 2024 Noto Peninsula Earthquake, vinification will be commissioned to Heidi Winery Co., Ltd., a winery in Oku-Noto specializing in domestically produced wine. A total of 1,600 bottles is planned.
On July 1, BlueCats players took part in grape-cluster thinning in the vineyard of Mr. Ota, head of the Takamatsu Grape Producers Association.
Together with grapes thinned by other farmers, approximately two metric tons of Takamatsu grapes will be collected for production and sale of the PFU BlueCats Ishikawa Kahoku original wine “KAHOKU BLUE.”
About “KAHOKU BLUE”
The concept for the original wine “KAHOKU BLUE” is as follows.
1. SDGs — A glass created together with the community
Upcycling Takamatsu grapes, a Kahoku specialty, that are removed during cluster thinning.
2. Civic Pride & Communication — Taking Kahoku pride nationwide
A local wine that everyone involved can be proud of, shared across Japan to deepen attachment to Kahoku and encourage contribution to the community.
Wine as communication: for celebrations, thank-you gifts, travel memories, and victory toasts.
3. Business Succession — Connecting Kahoku's story to the next generation
Passing primary industry to the next generation and communicating the appeal of grape growing.
4. Reconstruction Support — Standing alongside disaster-affected residents as they move forward
Supporting recovery from the 2024 Noto Peninsula Earthquake.
A portion of proceeds will be donated as relief funds.
For the full brand story, see the reference section.
Reference
Brand Story