Kobe's Kiraka Winery has begun sales of its "First Vintage."
Kiraka Winery Co., Ltd. in Chuo Ward, Kobe City, is a brand new winery that obtained its brewing license in July 2024 and just began winemaking in August.
Here are the details.
About Kiraka Winery
Kiraka Winery is an urban winery located close to the center of Kobe City, just a 3-minute walk from Hankyu Kasuganomichi Station.
Having obtained its brewing license in July 2024 and commenced brewing in August, this new winery crafts wine based on three meticulous core commitments using 100% Kobe-grown grapes.
Here are the three core commitments of Kiraka Winery:
1. Flavors that let you fully experience the local Kobe land and climate (terroir)
2. Sharing the appeal of crisp rosé wine, wildly popular across the globe!
3. Bringing wine experiences closer to everyday life with an urban winery near the station
Now, the winery has finally begun offering its first vintage.
The lineup consists of two rosé wines and one red wine, starting initially via crowdfunding, with plans to expand later into event sales, in-store sales, and online retail.
Lineup for the 2024 First Vintage Wines
Kiraka Winery's autumn 2024 first vintage features two rosé wines and one red wine made with Kobe-grown Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot.
1. coucou Rosé 2024
Named after the French "coucou" ("Hi, nice to meet you"), carrying the spirit of a greeting to everyone as Kiraka's first vintage.
It presents a cherry blossom pink appearance with nuances of red berries such as strawberries on the nose. The palate is mellow with a pleasant acidity on the finish, making it a great match for a wide range of dishes. Made using 100% Kobe-grown Cabernet Sauvignon.
2. doudou Rosé 2024 nouveau
Named after the French term for a baby's "first cherished plush toy/security blanket." It embodies the wish for a special encounter between everyone and Kiraka's first vintage.
It has a pale cherry blossom pink appearance, with subtle nuances of strawberries and cherries on the nose. The palate is mellow with a delightful acidity characteristic of a nouveau on the finish, pairing wonderfully with a wide variety of dishes. Made using 100% Kobe-grown Merlot.
3. bourgeon Rouge 2024 nouveau
French for "bud/sprout." It expresses the wish for this wine to be a new beginning between everyone and Kiraka, which began brewing in 2024.
It shows a gentle red berry color, with nuances of fresh flowers on the nose. The palate is mellow, followed by a clean acidity and subtle bitterness typical of a nouveau on the finish, pairing harmoniously with various dishes. Made using 100% Kobe-grown Merlot.
Please note that because the wines are still in the process of fermentation/aging, their color, flavor, and other characteristics may change going forward.
Sales of these wines will kick off first via crowdfunding (Makuake) starting October 30.
If you are interested, be sure to check out the crowdfunding page.
References
Makuake
URL https://www.makuake.com/project/kirakawinery/
Kiraka Winery
Website: https://www.kiraka.jp/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kirakawinery/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kirakawinery/