Great news for those who want to learn winemaking from experts, aim to hone their winemaking skills, are interested in founding a winery or working in the wine industry in the future, or want to explore the history and culture of Japanese wine!
On August 24, an academy where you can authentically learn winemaking will open at the Ushiku Chateau winery in Ushiku City, Ibaraki Prefecture!
Built in 1903 (Meiji 36) by Denbei Kamiya as Japan's first full-scale winery, Ushiku Chateau (Ushiku City, Ibaraki Prefecture) is recognized as a Heritage of Industrial Modernization and designated as a National Important Cultural Property. Furthermore, its winemaking story is recognized alongside Koshu City, Yamanashi Prefecture, as the Japan Heritage story "140 Years of Japanese Wine: The Crystallization of Japanese Culture Brewed from Domestic Grapes."
At Ushiku Chateau, which once served an academic role and was a venue for social gatherings, the "Japan Heritage Japanese Wine 140-Year History Wine Academy" will offer opportunities to learn about the history, culture, and craft of Japanese wine. Let's take a look right away at what it offers!
Encounter Professionals' "True Insights" and "Techniques"! A Special Lineup of Lecturers Led by Mitsuhiro Anzo
With an attractive lineup of lecturers led by Ibaraki Ambassador Mitsuhiro Anzo, the curriculum covers a comprehensive range of subjects, including the history of Japanese wine, viticulture, vinification, launching a new winery, PR, and peripheral knowledge.
Furthermore, each lecture is taught by a specialist working at the forefront of their respective field.
For instance, from Takashi Yokomachi, representative of Vinoble Vineyard in Miyoshi City, Hiroshima Prefecture, you can practically learn viticulture topics ranging from year-round vineyard work, training, and pruning practice to grapevine diseases and viruses.
The opportunity to receive direct instruction from him—well known as a clone enthusiast who is also active as a consultant for wineries across the country—is exceptionally valuable.
Lectures on winemaking will be led by an equally distinguished roster, including Masashi Yasuda, head winemaker at Maruki Winery, Japan's oldest surviving winery located in Koshu City, Yamanashi Prefecture (which is recognized as Japan Heritage alongside Ushiku City, Ibaraki Prefecture), and Takayuki Tamura from the Mercian Consulting Business Team.
Additionally, for the tasting lecture, Asia's No. 1 Sommelier, Reeze Choi (Hong Kong), is scheduled to visit Japan!
Other lectures are planned on topics such as launching a winery, tastings, and cheese pairings.
Naturally, there are also dates when Mr. Anzo himself will take the podium.
About One Hour from Tokyo! Access Authentic Winemaking Education on a Day Trip!
The venue for the academy is Ushiku Chateau, Japan's first full-scale winery built in 1903 (Meiji 36).
Its exceptional historical value is widely recognized: it was certified as a "Heritage of Industrial Modernization" by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry in November 2007, designated as a National Important Cultural Property in June 2008, and recognized as a "Japan Heritage" in June 2020.
Ushiku Station is about one hour from Tokyo Station on the Joban Line, and it is an 8-minute walk from Ushiku Station to the chateau!
Parking is available, but please arrive by public transportation since some sessions include wine tastings.
Inside the chateau, there is a brick restaurant renovated from a former wine cellar. This is also designated as an Important Cultural Property.
The chateau also brews beer. Gathering here after class for a social get-together over Ushiku Chateau beer and wine sounds wonderful.
A Practical Program Packed with First-Rate Expertise
The curriculum is tailored for those who want to make wine or gain practical knowledge!
Because the chateau grounds feature vineyards, a winery, training rooms, and restaurants all in one place, you won't just be sitting in a lecture hall—you will also have opportunities to head out into the vineyard and touch the vines and soil.
It is an enriching program that also includes tastings taught by a world-class sommelier and courses with tastings led by cheese artisans.
Furthermore, you can learn about the 140-year history of Japanese wine, recognized as "Japan Heritage."
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＜Curriculum (Tentative)＞
August 24
・Orientation
・General Overview of Wine / Winemaking Philosophies (Instructor: Mitsuhiro Anzo (Ibaraki Ambassador))
September 7
・Overview of the 140-Year History of Japanese Wine
・The 140-Year History of Japanese Wine and the History of Ushiku Chateau
September 21
・Cheese Basics / Wine Pairing (with tasting) (Instructors: Satoshi Kawada (Fromagerie Tsukuba), Miyuki Isobe (NIHON WINE.JP))
October 19
・Red Winemaking Process / White & Other Winemaking Processes / Grape & Wine Components / About SO2 / Yeast & Alcoholic Fermentation / About Malolactic Fermentation / Fermentation Management (with tasting) (Instructor: Masashi Yasuda (Maruki Winery))
November 9
・Basic Tasting Course (with tasting) (Instructor: Reeze Choi (Sommelier))
November 23
・About Wine Aging / Wine Stabilization & Clarification / Wine Filtration / Basic Analysis Practice (Instructor: Takayuki Tamura (Mercian))
December 7
・Insights from Living in the Wine City of Bordeaux / Launching a New Winery (Instructor: Masako Anzo (Cave an))
December 21
・Japanese Terroir & Soil / Major Varieties & Cultivation Methods / Vineyard Design & Planting Vines / Year-Round Vineyard Work (Instructor: Takashi Yokomachi (Vinoble Vineyard))
January 25
Grapevine Diseases & Viruses / Pests & Physiological Disorders / Training & Pruning Methods (with practical training) (Instructor: Takashi Yokomachi (Vinoble Vineyard))
February (Dates to be finalized)
・Liquor Tax Act & Standards for Manufacturing Process and Quality Labeling of Fruit Wine, etc.
*Subject to minor changes
※Instructor schedules are announced after thorough advance coordination; however, should changes occur due to unavoidable circumstances, the secretariat will contact you promptly.
We appreciate your kind understanding.
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Choose Your Learning Style!
An online course is also available for those interested in the academy who simply cannot make time to travel to Ushiku Chateau on Sundays.
Because it is online, it does not include tasting wines or hands-on practice, but you can participate at your own pace and schedule.
Course Overview
Venue: Ushiku Chateau (3-20-1 Chuo, Ushiku City, Ibaraki Prefecture)
Start Date: August 24, 2025
End Date: February 2026 (Scheduled)
Schedule: Every other Sunday, 12:00–16:00, 22 sessions
Tuition:
◾️ In-Person: 50,000 yen (tax included)
*Online viewing also available
◾️ Online Only: 30,000 yen (tax included)
*Does not include tasting wines, cheese, or hands-on practice
Organizer: Wine Culture Japan Heritage Council
Cooperation: Oenon Holdings, Inc., Ushiku Chateau Co., Ltd., Vino Como Co., Ltd.
Apply Here
Capacity: In-person: 20 participants (If applications exceed capacity, participants will be selected by lottery. There is no capacity limit for online).
Application Deadline: Sunday, August 3, 23:59
Please apply using the Google Form.
https://forms.gle/cjGz2ywx8CYAdpzd6
*Applicants must be at least 20 years of age.
*Personal information provided upon application will not be used for any purpose other than administering this program.
Closing Note
With such an enticing curriculum, a tuition fee of 50,000 yen (tax included) is an exceptional value for a wine academy.
This rate was made possible because the project is planned and operated with support from the Agency for Cultural Affairs' FY2025 Grant for the Promotion of Arts and Culture (Comprehensive Project for the Utilization of Regional Cultural Assets).
Whether you have gained some wine knowledge and want to learn practical viticulture and winemaking from professionals, already make wine and wish to upgrade your skills, want to join a wine-learning community, wish to explore Japan Heritage and history, or simply want to spend meaningful Sundays!!
Why not consider applying?