Iwate

神田葡萄園

岩手県陸前高田市

PROFILE

Legal name: 株式會社神田葡萄園
Location: 〒029-2206 岩手県陸前高田市米崎町字神田33
Representative: 熊谷晃弘
Region: 岩手・大迫（おおはさま）エリア — 岩手県
Phone: 0192-55-2222
Email: kanda-b@vanilla.ocn.ne.jp

Official Website

OFFICIAL WEBSITE0192-55-2222.jp

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ABOUT

[About Kanda Vineyard] We are located in Rikuzentakata, a coastal area of Iwate Prefecture. It is a small, nature-rich city surrounded by Sanriku and Hirota Bay. We began cultivating grapes in this region long ago, and have been engaged in the production of juice and wine. Connecting with customers through our products and seeing them smile as they enjoy them—such sights are our nourishment and our pride.

[What is N6?] The designation "N6" shown on the label. This signifies "No. 6 = the 6th generation." With respect for the weight of Kanda Vineyard's history spanning over 110 years, as well as the grape-growing know-how and passion cultivated by previous generations, and encompassing the winemaker's own determination, this name was chosen with the desire to deliberately express being the 6th generation. The N6 designation is a testament to our history dating back to our founding in 1905 (Meiji 38) and to our determination.

Japanese wine.jp Editorial Department

FEATURE STORY

A Historic Winery Founded in 1905

Kanda Vineyard is one of Japan's historic wineries.

It was founded in 1905 after obtaining a license to produce sweetened fruit wine.

The story began when the first-generation owner, who worked as a carpenter, planted table-grape vines he had received from a client in Rikuzentakata.

Documents from the time refer simply to “Western grapes,” but considering the varieties available in Tohoku then, they may have been Delaware, Concord, or Campbell Early.

The area was also rich in fruit growing, with apples, pears, and other fruit cultivated alongside grapes.

The sixth-generation successor, Akihiro Kumagai, took over in 2008.

The fruit-wine license had once been surrendered amid the turmoil after World War II and changing times, but in response to local residents and wine fans asking for “real wine” to be made again, the license was reacquired and the winery restarted.

The Terroir of Minamisanriku

Minamisanriku has a maritime climate, with cool summers and relatively mild winters.

Its proximity to the sea also brings substantial rainfall and high humidity. In addition, the seasonal yamase winds blow before summer, making the growing conditions challenging.

At the same time, the sea provides good air circulation.

A long autumn also allows later-ripening varieties to remain on the vine and mature gradually.

The winery grows varieties including Riesling Lion, Muscat Bailey A, and Albariño on overhead trellis systems.

Because the vineyard soils retain water, overly dense planting can lead to excessive vigor, so the vines are given a more open growing form.

The soils are mainly clay and granite.

The winery accepts both the advantages and difficulties of Minamisanriku and practices viticulture adapted to the region.

Albariño: A “Wine of the Sea” That Evokes Minamisanriku

Among the many varieties the winery is testing, expectations are especially high for Albariño as a grape well suited to this area.

At present, roughly one-third of the winery's 4.1 hectares of vineyards is planted to Albariño, and that area is expected to increase.

Kanda Vineyard's Albariño is a white wine distinguished by minerality and a subtle saline character reminiscent of the sea.

Representative and winemaker Mr. Kumagai says, “I hope people will enjoy it with local seafood such as oysters.”

PHOTOS ／ 9

PHOTO — NIHONWINE.JP editorial

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SOURCE — NIHONWINE.JP editorial