Tochigi Prefecture is one of Japan’s leading fruit-growing regions and has a winemaking history stretching back 140 years. In recent years, its potential has attracted growing attention and new wineries have been opening one after another.
Now, prestigious wine school Académie du Vin is launching a new relay lecture program exploring the appeal of Tochigi wine: the “A New Era for Tochigi Wine” series.
The series divides Tochigi’s wine regions into three areas—southern, central and northern—and introduces distinctive wines that express the terroir of each.
The first session focuses on the southern area and features two instructors: Haruka Mashiko of Cfa Backyard Winery and Genki Iwasaki, who trained in Burgundy, France. Together they will lead a tasting seminar.
Participants can experience the innovative winemaking of Cfa Backyard Winery, which applies techniques developed through years of soft-drink production while exploring the possibilities of Japan’s native grape varieties, as well as the passion of Genki Iwasaki, who earned the French national oenologist qualification in Burgundy and is now taking on winemaking with an international perspective. Why not take this opportunity to taste wines that showcase the individuality of both?
【Event Overview】
Course: “A New Era for Tochigi Wine” Series, Part 1 — Southern Tochigi: Cfa Backyard Winery × Genki Iwasaki
Date and time: Wednesday, May 14, 19:00–21:00
Venue: Académie du Vin Aoyama
Cosmos Aoyama Garden Floor (B2F), 5-53-67 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Instructors: Haruka Mashiko (Winemaker, Cfa Backyard Winery), Genki Iwasaki (Winemaker)
Program: Overview of Tochigi wine
Cfa Backyard Winery’s winemaking philosophy and tasting
Genki Iwasaki’s challenge of making wine in Tochigi and tasting
Q&A
Tasting wines:
＜Cfa Backyard Winery＞
① Burlesque Koshu 2023
② Opening Act MBA-DT 2023
③ Vajra Koshu Old Fashioned 2022
④ Vajra MBA 2022
＜Genki Iwasaki＞
① Genki Iwasaki Muscat Bailey A 2024
② Genki Wine Pinot Noir 2021
Tuition: ¥9,900 including tax
【Instructor Profiles】
Haruka Mashiko
Winemaker at Cfa Backyard Winery. Graduated from the Department of Brewing, Junior College of Tokyo University of Agriculture. Qualified wine production technical manager (oenologist). She began training as a winemaker in 2000 while accompanying her father, Takahiro Mashiko, on wine consulting work. She has also translated current wine literature and supported seminars. Today she writes for wine magazines and teaches as a lecturer. She is also a mother of one.
Genki Iwasaki
Born in Tochigi City, Tochigi Prefecture, in 1986. During seven years of wine training in France, he gained experience at renowned domaines including Armand Rousseau, Prieuré Roch and Anne Gros. He studied viticulture and oenology at the University of Burgundy and earned a master’s degree in oenology. He is one of the relatively few Japanese holders of the French national oenologist qualification. He has also worked to promote exports of Japanese wine overseas and, in July 2024, moved his base back to his hometown of Tochigi City to begin making wine.
Only 28 seats are available.
If you want to learn about the latest developments in Tochigi wine, be sure to apply early.