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 would like to introduce "Okayama Wine Valley".
It is a small-scale production winery whose first vintage was 2015.

What sets them apart is their grape varieties. Remarkably, they cultivate Sangiovese and Nebbiolo. On top of that, they co-ferment them, making it a truly unique winery.
Yet, these wines have already gained popularity among restaurants discerning about Japanese wine.
Just who is behind them, and how are these wines being made?

Because Okayama Wine Valley's Italian grape varieties make such an impact, attention tends to focus on their red wines.
However, we strongly encourage you to pay attention to their white wines as well.

Tetta Town is dotted with limestone caves, and the limestone soil that forms them is one of the area's defining features.
One of Okayama Wine Valley's vineyards features a distinctive soil structure where red clay is mixed on top of that limestone.

As mentioned in the interview, the wine made from Chardonnay grown in that vineyard allows you to clearly perceive the minerality derived from the limestone. Yet, it isn't overpowering, offering a beautifully balanced feel.

You won't want to take your eyes off the white wines—such as Chardonnay—produced by wineries in this region.

Niimi City in Okayama Prefecture offers plenty of tourist spots like limestone caves, not to mention wineries.
Be sure to pay it a visit sometime.

https://nihonwine.jp/winery_intro/okayamawine/