The Charm of the Snow Cellar: Agricore Echigo Winery (Niigata Prefecture)

In late June, amidst unseasonably hot weather in Kudanshita, Tokyo, the awards ceremony for the wine competition judged exclusively by female jurors, "Feminalise", took place to honor its winners.

This competition also features a Japanese wine division, and many wineries gathered on this day as well.
Among them, the gentleman in the top photo left a particularly memorable impression with his wonderful smile.

He is Mr. Aoki, Manager of Viticulture and Winemaking at Agricore Echigo Winery.

When hearing the name Uonuma, many people likely think of delicious rice such as Koshihikari.
Furthermore, many probably also picture a land covered in deep snow.

In a region with these characteristics, there is a winery that crafts wine using snow.
That winery is Agricore Echigo Winery.

To uncover the secrets behind this snow-powered winemaking, we interviewed Mr. Aoki.

The snow stored in the yukimuro (snow cellar) reportedly lasts from spring until around October.
Thanks to that snow, optimal temperatures for wine are maintained throughout the year—a truly amazing feat.

Be sure to try the wines of Agricore Echigo Winery, whose flavors are enhanced by the natural power of snow!