Saitama
埼玉県 比企郡
In Ogawa Town, Hiki District, Saitama Prefecture—a center of organic farming—we make the natural wine “Ogawa Shokoshi” from healthy grapes grown without pesticides, using only the grapes’ own native yeast.
At Mr. Fukushima's vineyard, a wild mix of grasses grows up to around knee height.
Push through them to reach the vines, and you find leaves growing freely and vigorously.
He says he tries “not to do anything unnecessary,” placing great importance on preserving the vines' natural growing environment.
After graduating from university, Yuzo Fukushima worked in private banking at a financial institution.
Through his involvement with many business owners there, he became interested in starting a business of his own.
After living through the era of Japan's financial “Big Bang,” his desire to return to the world of making things he loved grew stronger. Feeling that a sixth-sector business connected with alcoholic beverages suited him, he founded the winery.
With a scientific background, Fukushima studies growing conditions and winemaking logically and systematically, which has led him to the firm philosophy and approach he follows today.
The winery is a wooden building with earthen walls.
After consulting several architects, they chose this design because it allows them to value a natural approach to construction.
The earthen walls naturally regulate the air, creating a favorable environment for indigenous yeasts as well.
The building also has a visual warmth and sense of nostalgia.
While enjoying the view from the top of a gentle hill, visitors can taste Shokoshi wines made in a variety of styles.
It is unusual to be able to enjoy so many expressions of Shokoshi in a setting like this.
(Information is current as of the editorial team's visit in May 2023. Please contact the winery for the wines currently available for tasting.)
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SOURCE — NIHONWINE.JP editorial
