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Understanding the Terroir of "Ono", Nagano Prefecture: KIRINOKA Maker's Seminar (Chardonnay Edition)
KIRINOKA VINEYARDS & WINERY is a winery established in 2024 in Ono, Tatsuno Town, Nagano Prefecture, by Minoru Numata, who pours his passion into wine with a lifelong devotion to the industry and a single goal: to craft the ultimate Pinot Noir.
Who Decides What Counts as “Fine Wine”? — The Question Posed by Asia’s No. 1 Sommelier Reeze Choi
“What does fine wine mean to you?” At a Vinexpo Asia 2026 masterclass in Hong Kong, Reeze Choi and Taiwan’s first Master Sommelier, Kevin Lu, challenged the audience to reconsider who—or what—really defines a fine wine.
【Part 1】Hot Springs and Wine: A Stay-at-the-Winery Experience at Domaine de Yunohara
Oiwakeya Ryokan in the Utsukushigahara Onsen area of Matsumoto, Nagano, is a refined hideaway for adults: comfortable Japanese-modern rooms, meals featuring Shinshu food and drink, and soft, mildly alkaline hot-spring water. But did you know the ryokan also runs its own winery?
The People Who Create the “Beginning” of Wine: Visiting Suda Grape Nursery in Yamanashi Prefecture
When discussing wine, terms like “terroir,” “winemaking,” and “vintage” frequently come up. However, opportunities to give thought to an even earlier stage—“what kind of grapevines were planted?”—are actually surprisingly rare.
Your Very Own Winemaking Experience: Learning from Professionals at Art Paysan Winery Vol. 2
"Your Very Own Winemaking Experience" is a program where you craft your own original wine under the direct guidance of professionals. Launched in September, this innovative winemaking experience program represents a novel approach where drinkers are involved right from the very first step of production.
The Charm of ESPRIT C. KEI GINZA: A World-Renowned Wine List Shining in Ginza
Gourmet readers may have already experienced ESPRIT C. KEI GINZA. Restaurant KE… in Paris, known for becoming the first Asian chef to earn three Michelin stars in 2020,
A Journey Embracing Time: The "Stay-Style Winery Experience" at Niki Hills
Niki Hills Winery is located in Niki Town, Hokkaido. I recently had the opportunity to experience its charm firsthand. Embraced by vast vineyards, spending time while taking in the changing seasons feels like a little journey taking you away from everyday life.
Expressing the Terroir of Plots and Vineyards in Wine! New "FROM FARM Winery Building" Completed! Guided Tours Have Also Begun!
Since 2022, Suntory's Japanese wine brand "SUNTORY FROM FARM" has championed the philosophy "It all starts in the vineyard." The new FROM FARM Winery Building has now been completed to further realize winemaking in line with this concept.
Bringing Refreshing Relief to Sweltering Days! Delivered from Heavy Snow Country: Housui Winery
Iwamizawa City experiences exceptionally heavy snowfall even for Hokkaido, earning an official designation as a "Special Heavy Snowfall Zone" from the government. Housui Winery, located in Housui-cho, Iwamizawa City, produces wines that perfectly embody this snowy image.
Right in the Heart of Hokkaido! What Is Its Potential? An Interview with Tetsuya Yamahira of Yukikawa Winery
Opening in 2021, this winery is entering its fifth year this year. We visited Yukikawa Winery in Higashikawa Town, Kamikawa District, Hokkaido. Representative Tetsuya Yamahira took on this challenge after transitioning from a completely different industry.
Can a World-Class Pinot Noir Be Born? — Kirinoka Vineyards & Winery —
The author first met Mr. Minoru Numata several years ago when attending a seminar he held as an educator. Up until then, my primary focus had been on "systematic learning," but listening to his talk (lecture), nothing was more refreshing than the way the world of Japanese wine suddenly came into view from a multifaceted perspective.
Enjoying Japanese Wine in Hong Kong! One-Michelin-Star "Ando" Pairing Dinner
In this installment of our series on places serving Japanese wine, we report from Hong Kong. Located on the ground floor of a building in Central, the heart of Hong Kong, "Ando" is an innovative fusion restaurant. It is a popular restaurant in Hong Kong right now that has earned one Michelin star.
Right by Shibuya Station! Drink, buy, and enjoy Japanese wine! ~WINE SHOP nico Shibuya~
Shibuya Station is a major hub terminal with a daily passenger count of over 160,000, surrounded by numerous station buildings. While it goes without saying that it is a convenient station for transit and shopping, there are naturally plenty of options when it comes to wine shops as well.
A Land Destined for Sake Brewing: The Story Behind SAKE and Wine Crafted by Sasaichi Sake Brewery
Along the Koshu Kaido highway heading from Tokyo to Yamanashi, past Sasago Pass, Sasaichi Sake Brewery boasts over 360 years of history in Sasago-cho, a town that once flourished as a post station. Originally operating under the house name "Hanadaya," it remarkably began brewing sake back in 1661 and is today the only sake brewery in Otsuki City.
Wine Made at the Foot of a Mythological Mountain: A Visit to Iwami Winery (Shimane Prefecture)
When thinking of Shimane Prefecture, many people likely picture Izumo Taisha Grand Shrine. The land of Izumo is the setting for Japan's oldest history book, the "Kojiki," and various tales known as the "Izumo Myths" are still passed down to this day.
Asking Hideaki Koyama! The Secret Behind Rue de Vin's Delicious Wines and Its Future
Rue de Vin—a winery whose name means "Wine Street" in French. For many people, its wines are among the first that come to mind when thinking, "I want to drink a delicious Sauvignon Blanc!" And for good reason.
A Closer Look at Winemaking in Kumamoto: Kikuka Winery
"Japanese wine" is produced all across Japan. Did you know that winemaking is taking place in Kumamoto Prefecture, located in Kyushu? On this visit, we toured two wineries operated by Kumamoto Wine Farm.
Vin Japonais in Singapore Part 1: Hosting a Japanese Wine Event On-Site!
The film "Vin Japonais" was released in November 2022. True to the film's theme of "sharing Japanese wine with the world," our mission to promote Japanese wine abroad is finally getting into full swing! This time, our destination is Singapore.
Prioritizing the Growing Environment to Achieve Natural Winemaking — Musashi Winery
Musashi Winery is located in Ogawa Town, Saitama Prefecture, about an hour from Ikebukuro Station. It has a stellar reputation for making exceptionally delicious wine with Shokoshi grapes. We interviewed representative Yuzo Fukushima about his dedication to viticulture and winemaking.
Okayama Wine Valley: Establishing Uniqueness with Rare Grape Varieties!
Tetta Town in Niimi City, Okayama Prefecture. As represented by "Domaine Tetta," which we introduced in our previous column, the number of wineries in this area has been growing in recent years. This time, we are introducing "Okayama Wine Valley," located in that very same town.
Learning Wine and Food "Pairing" – Spring in the South of France
Hello everyone. I am Miyuki Isobe — Wine, Food, and People. Usually, I enjoy experimenting at my daily dining table, pairing seasonal ingredients with various Japanese wines through trial and error. However, this time I attended a course hosted by a wine school to learn "pairing as taught by a wine school"...
Akita Winery Tour Part 2: Akitano Winery
As February begins, winter is now in full swing, and the days have grown even colder. In snow country, as seen in the photo above, some wineries are buried under heavy snowfall. For the second installment of our Akita Winery Tour, we introduce Akitano Winery & Garden Farm in Kitaakita City.
Founded in 1924! The Evolution of a Long-Established Winery: Haramo Wine
Katsunuma in Koshu City, Yamanashi Prefecture, is home to a row of historic wineries. Among them, we paid a visit to Haramo Wine, a truly long-established producer founded in 1924. The name Haramo Wine stems from the fact that this area was once known as "Hara," and the head of the family historically inherited the name Mozaemon across generations, giving rise to "Haramo"...
Enjoy Both Beer and Wine! A Winery in Ibaraki Prefecture ~ Mugi to Budo Ushiku Brewery ~
Just under an hour from Ueno Station, I heard there was an interesting winery in Ushiku City, Ibaraki Prefecture, so I paid them a visit. When people think of wineries close to Tokyo, Yamanashi Prefecture usually comes to mind, but Ushiku in Ibaraki Prefecture is actually another winery location that is easily within visiting distance.
For a Sophisticated Night of Wine! A Guide to the Renewed "W Aoyama"
Recently, W AOYAMA -The Cellar & Grill- has been quietly becoming a topic of conversation among discerning adults who know the Aoyama area well. And with good reason—in May, the venue reopened after upgrading its food and wine lineup...
No Car Needed! Tour 5 Wineries on Foot! ~A Journey to the Niigata Wine Coast~ [Part 1]
A trip to a winery is delightful not just for wine lovers, but for anyone—it feels like an adult field trip where you can enjoy the nature unique to each region. Because of this, both wineries and vineyards are often located in places that are hard to reach without a car.
This article is not yet available in English.
Exploring the Appeal of Takahata Winery, a Premier Representative of Yamagata Wine!
What comes to mind when you hear "Yamagata wine"? I can almost hear people saying, "When you think of Yamagata, it's all about cherries, right?" (laughs).
Are There Different Types of Wine Bottles? Learn About the Role of Wine Bottles, Too!
When you think of the container that wine comes in, it is that glass bottle. Yes, that thing commonly known as a "wine bottle." If you are a wine beginner, you have probably wondered why there are differences in the shapes and colors of wine bottles.
"Green Onions × Wine"!? Exploring How Long Green Onions Pair with Wine!
While preparing a lavish meal for a wine pairing is wonderful, some of you might prefer to keep your pairings as simple as possible. For those seeking that kind of pairing, there is an ingredient we highly recommend: green onions (specifically, long green onions).
Winery Stay 'Travigne' Experience Report
I visited the Niigata Wine Coast! I was worried it might be cold since it was December, but around noon the sun came out and made it delightfully warm. It was the perfect day for a winery tour! The Niigata Wine Coast is a wine region that is home to five unique wineries.
Wine Talent Yui Teaches You! The 3 Must-Know Wine Varieties Expressed as Handsome Actors!
"What kind of wine do you like?" When a sommelier asks you this at a restaurant, how do you usually answer? "A fruity white wine," "a rich, heavy red wine"—we often hear phrases like these.