A Closer Look at Winemaking in Kumamoto: Kikuka Winery

"Japanese wine" is produced all across Japan. Did you know that winemaking is also taking place in Kumamoto Prefecture in Kyushu?

This time, we visited the two wineries run by Kumamoto Wine Farm.

Kumamoto Wine Farm operates two wineries in Kumamoto Prefecture.
One is Kumamoto Winery, established in 1999. The other is Kikuka Winery, established in 2018.

Many people may not be aware that these two wineries are managed by the same company.
Both are equipped with excellent winemaking facilities, and it is here that the famous "Kikuka" wine is crafted.

'Kikuka' Chardonnay is a name that virtually every Japanese wine fan has heard at least once.
We spoke about this winery—which bears the place name of Kikuka-machi in Yamaga City, Kumamoto Prefecture—with Mr. Nishimura, Director and Head of Production.

When learning about their vineyards, the first thing that surprised us was the retractable greenhouse system.
This region receives heavy rain and is also hit by many typhoons. To prevent the greenhouses from being blown away, they installed equipment where the roof section opens and closes at the push of a button. This was truly surprising.

And under that roof—is that pergola training? No, not quite.
The grape bunches don't grow "directly underneath" the canopy, but on both sides.

This cultivation method is called "trellised double cordon," designed so that the vines and leaves extending onto the trellis encourage photosynthesis.
The height is also set cleanly at a level that easily accommodates machinery for mowing and other work.

Furthermore, the vineyard is designed with ultimate cultivation efficiency in mind, allowing the grapes to bear fruit straight along both sides to make harvesting easier. Seeing this for the first time was a truly moving experience.

And the ultimate highlight was a mysterious network of "pipes" wrapped around the greenhouse.
What looks at first glance like a gas pipeline is actually, surprisingly, a drainage system.

Since both sides of the land where the vineyard lies are sloped, drainage is said to be very good.
However, one side of the land is fragile, carrying the risk of landslides if too much water flows down it.

To prevent this, the system collects rainwater in these pipes and channels it toward a safe direction.
Amazingly, these were installed after the vineyard was already somewhat completed.

I was deeply surprised and impressed once again by this ingenuity, tailored specifically to a region with so much rainfall.

Kikuka Winery, which launched in 2018, has finally completed the wines crafted from the first harvest of estate-grown grapes in 2020. Released as the "Kikuka Estate 2020" series, they are available exclusively by the glass at the winery shop.

There are three varieties: Chardonnay, Gewürztraminer, and Pinot Noir. All of them are wonderful wines with such a concentrated grape character that it's hard to believe they come from a maiden harvest. I am really looking forward to seeing yields increase in the future and full bottle sales begin!

Kikuka Winery features not only a shop where you can enjoy wine tasting, but also an on-site restaurant serving pizza and pasta made with local ingredients.

Enjoying delicious wine and food while gazing out over the beautiful vineyards is another part of Kikuka Winery's appeal.

Take a flight from Tokyo to Kumamoto Airport, then drive for about an hour.
We invite you to come and experience a wonderful time at Kikuka Winery for yourself.