On Sunday, November 1, 2026, "2025 Asagarano Minori," a collaboration between a Shiga Prefecture winery and six hotels, will be released in limited quantities.
This is the 18th installment of the popular project, featuring original blends crafted by hotel sommeliers.
About the Project
This project was launched in 2008 by six hotels in Shiga Prefecture with the aim of promoting the charms of Shiga Prefecture through engagement with the local community, and is now celebrating its 18th edition.
Set at Ritto Winery, using grapes carefully cultivated in its own vineyards, sommeliers from the six hotels gathered together to pursue pairings with a variety of Japanese, Western, and Chinese cuisines.
Through numerous blending trials, they completed both red and white wines.
They hope that by enjoying the original wines made from grapes grown in Shiga Prefecture alongside dishes served at each hotel, it will serve as an opportunity for guests to experience the culinary richness of Shiga.
"2025 Asagarano Minori"
"2025 Asagarano Minori" is an original wine blended by sommeliers from the six hotels.
The red wine is blended in a ratio of 80% Muscat Bailey A from 2025, 10% Yama Sauvignon, and 10% oak-aged Almonoir, while the white wine blends 50% Chardonnay from the same 2025 vintage, 30% Sémillon VV, and 20% Red Millennium. Both the red and white wines use 100% Shiga Prefecture grapes harvested from the estate vineyard.
If you are interested, please check the reference section.
Reference
Red wine: "2025 Asagarano Minori Rouge" (Asagarano Minori Rouge)
White wine: "2025 Asagarano Minori Blanc" (Asagarano Minori Blanc)
Sunday, November 1, 2026 – until sold out
500 bottles of red wine, 500 bottles of white wine (sold at each hotel)
Served at restaurants
Bottle (750ml): ¥8,000
Glass: from ¥1,200 (Wine by the glass prices vary by hotel.)
*Taxes and service charges included
For purchases, restaurant reservations, etc., please inquire with each hotel.
Participating Hotels Overview
＜Biwako Hotel＞
2-40 Hama-machi, Otsu-shi, Shiga Prefecture Yoshikazu Maeda
175 rooms
Shuttle bus runs from JR Otsu Station. Travel time: approx. 5 minutes
077-524-1225 (Restaurant Reservations)
＜Kusatsu Estopia Hotel＞
4-32 Nishioji-cho, Kusatsu-shi, Shiga Prefecture Takakazu Tanaka
73 rooms
Approx. 3-minute walk from JR Kusatsu Station
077-566-3333 (Restaurant Reservations)
＜Hikone Castle Resort & Spa＞
1-8 Sawa-cho, Hikone-shi, Shiga Prefecture Hiroyuki Miura
52 rooms
Exclusive shuttle service for hotel guests available from JR Hikone Station (reservation required). Travel time: approx. 5 minutes
0749-21-2001 (Main)
＜Lake Biwa Otsu Prince Hotel＞
4-7-7 Nionohama, Otsu-shi, Shiga Prefecture Takayuki Nakayama
529 rooms
Shuttle bus runs from JR Otsu Station. Travel time: approx. 10 minutes
077-521-1111 (Main)
＜Hotel New Omi＞
1481 Takakai-cho, Omihachiman-shi, Shiga Prefecture Gaku Miyamoto
83 rooms
Approx. 2-minute walk from JR Omihachiman Station
0748-36-6666 (Main)
＜Hotel Boston Plaza Kusatsu＞
1-27 Nishioji-cho, Kusatsu-shi, Shiga Prefecture Yoshihiko Minami
216 rooms
Approx. 30-second walk from the West Exit of JR Kusatsu Station
077-561-3320 (Restaurant Reservations)
Ohta Shuzou Co., Ltd. Ritto Winery Overview
A winery located on gently rolling hills stretching out at the foot of the Omi Konan Alps. It is said that the cool breezes blowing across Lake Biwa and the topography nestled in the mountains resemble European nature.
Through ongoing research aimed at creating the optimal soil for viticulture, high-quality European grape varieties carefully cultivated without herbicides and using organic fertilizers now flourish abundantly.
1507-1 Aza Asagarano, Arahari, Ritto-shi, Shiga Prefecture
Seiichiro Ohta
077-558-1406 (Ritto Winery Direct)