{"id":27396,"date":"2020-06-11T14:19:44","date_gmt":"2020-06-11T13:19:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/?p=27396"},"modified":"2026-02-27T10:45:58","modified_gmt":"2026-02-27T10:45:58","slug":"exploring-japanese-wine-and-the-kofu-basin","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/2020\/06\/11\/exploring-japanese-wine-and-the-kofu-basin\/","title":{"rendered":"Exploring Japanese wine in the K\u014dfu Basin"},"content":{"rendered":"<h4>Like this post? Help us by sharing it!<\/h4><ul class=\"wpfai-list\"><li class=\"wpfai-list-item facebook\">\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F27396&amp;t=\" title=\"Facebook\" class=\"wpfai-facebook wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-facebook fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><li class=\"wpfai-list-item twitter\">\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/twitter.com\/share?text=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F27396\" title=\"Twitter\" class=\"wpfai-twitter wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-twitter fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><li class=\"wpfai-list-item pinterest\">\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/pinterest.com\/pin\/create\/button\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F27396&amp;description=&amp;media=\" title=\"Pinterest\" class=\"wpfai-pinterest wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-pinterest fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><li class=\"wpfai-list-item linkedin\">\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/linkedin.com\/shareArticle?mini=true&amp;url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F27396&amp;title=\" title=\"Linked In\" class=\"wpfai-linkedin wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-linkedin fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><li class=\"wpfai-list-item envelope\">\r\n      <a href=\"mailto:?subject=&amp;body=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F27396%20-%20\" title=\"E-Mail\" class=\"wpfai-envelope wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-envelope fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><li class=\"wpfai-list-item stumbleupon\">\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/www.stumbleupon.com\/submit?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F27396\" title=\"Stumble Upon\" class=\"wpfai-stumbleupon wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-stumbleupon fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><li class=\"wpfai-list-item reddit\">\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/www.reddit.com\/submit?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F27396\" title=\"Reddit\" class=\"wpfai-reddit wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-reddit fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><\/ul><h3><strong>The origin of Japanese wine is still open for debate&#8230;\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>\n<figure id=\"attachment_27530\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-27530\" style=\"width: 462px\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-27530\" src=\"https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/J%C5%8Dmon-earthenware-vessels.jpg\" alt=\"Japanese J\u014dmon earthenware wine vessels\" width=\"462\" height=\"307\" srcset=\"https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/J%C5%8Dmon-earthenware-vessels.jpg 500w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/J%C5%8Dmon-earthenware-vessels-300x199.jpg 300w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/J%C5%8Dmon-earthenware-vessels-390x259.jpg 390w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 462px) 100vw, 462px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-27530\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">J\u014dmon earthenware vessels<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Recently, evidence of ancient grape fermentation has been used by those who support an early origin story. The J\u014dmon people who inhabited the Japanese archipelago from 14,000 BCE to 1000 BCE are said to have used fermentation for essential food preservation, and the presence of wild grape seeds found inside excavated J\u014dmon earthenware vessels is recognised by some as evidence of prehistoric winemaking. The generally accepted story originating from the premier winery region of Japan, Yamanashi Prefecture, tells that Gy\u014dki (668 CE\u2012749 CE), a renowned priest of the Nara period (710 CE\u2012794 CE), cultivated the land in the eastern region of the K\u014dfu Basin for vineyards and taught the locals how to grow grapes for medicinal purposes. There is yet one more story that says Gy\u014dki\u2019s grapevines may have been rediscovered by Kageyu Amemiya during the Kamakura period (1185 CE\u20121333 CE). It is said that Amemiya replanted the curious vine on his land and began to improve the grape variety now known as <em>K\u014dsh\u016b<\/em>.<\/p>\n<p>We can be fairly certain that the <em>K\u014dsh\u016b<\/em> grape, the variety which bears the ancient name of Yamanashi Prefecture, travelled to the island archipelago via the Silk Road through China as analyses of DNA have revealed that the modern <em>K\u014dsh\u016b<\/em> grape is actually a hybrid of grapes found in the Caucuses region near the Caspian Sea and wild varieties found in China. It seems likely that grapes arrived in this island nation at about the same time Buddhism was introduced from the mainland in the sixth century CE as this time period marks the zenith of Chinese influence on Japan.<\/p>\n<p><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">Regardless of the true story of how it all began, due to Japan\u2019s geographic isolation, and its deliberate isolationist policy from 1603-1868, more than a millennium passed before the Japanese began to try their hands at modern winemaking. However, if a 300-strong band of samurai had not lost the battle of <em>K\u014dsh\u016b-Katsunuma<\/em>, a key battle of Japan\u2019s Boshin Civil War of 1868-1869, Japan might have remained isolated far longer than it did. As fate would have it, an imperial force\u2019s complete rout of the samurai meant it was only a matter of time before Japan would once again open to the world.<\/span><\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_27540\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-27540\" style=\"width: 855px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-27540\" src=\"https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/KoshuKatsunuma-1.jpg\" alt=\"Battle of K\u014dsh\u016b-Katsunuma\" width=\"855\" height=\"410\" srcset=\"https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/KoshuKatsunuma-1.jpg 1600w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/KoshuKatsunuma-1-300x144.jpg 300w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/KoshuKatsunuma-1-1024x490.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/KoshuKatsunuma-1-768x368.jpg 768w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/KoshuKatsunuma-1-564x270.jpg 564w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/KoshuKatsunuma-1-1536x735.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/KoshuKatsunuma-1-1200x575.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/KoshuKatsunuma-1-900x431.jpg 900w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/KoshuKatsunuma-1-720x345.jpg 720w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/KoshuKatsunuma-1-1440x689.jpg 1440w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/KoshuKatsunuma-1-390x187.jpg 390w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/KoshuKatsunuma-1-780x373.jpg 780w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/KoshuKatsunuma-1-510x244.jpg 510w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 855px) 100vw, 855px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-27540\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">A depiction of the Battle of K\u014dsh\u016b-Katsunuma<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">Less than a decade after the defeat of the samurai at the battle of <em>K\u014dsh\u016b-Katsunuma<\/em> (which incidentally was fought just a stone&#8217;s throw away from <em>Daizen-ji Temple<\/em> where <em>Gy\u014dki<\/em> is alleged to have first planted his grapevines)<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">, <\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">two young men from Japan&#8217;s first private<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">winery were dispatched from<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u00a0a country that\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">had been closed to the world to<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u00a0study the art of winemaking<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">in Troyes, the Champagne region of Northern France.\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">On their return, they <\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">helped establish<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">Japan\u2019s first winery.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Exploring the\u00a0<\/span><\/b><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">K\u014dfu<\/span><\/b><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0Basin<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Fast forward some 140 years to the interior of an ultra-modern<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">express train that left the futuristic cityscape of Tokyo just 90 minutes<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">before. As you emerge from the last serpentine train tunnel, making<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">your way into the eastern\u00a0<\/span>K\u014dfu<span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0Basin, you suddenly plunge<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">into vast swathes of lush vineyards that seem to creep from the valley<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">floor to the mountains overhead. On countless occasions, as I sat<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">peering through my window onboard such a train, I felt a deep longing<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">to explore the countless vineyards, and more than 80 local wineries,<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">on foot. Anyone who loves to explore knows that walking is the best<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">way to get an intimate knowledge of a place, so after years of longing, I<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">made that daydream a reality and the following commentary on<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Japan\u2019s premier winery region is the result.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_27519\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-27519\" style=\"width: 793px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-27519\" src=\"https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Japanese_Grape.jpg\" alt=\"Japanese wine K\u014dsh\u016b grapes\" width=\"793\" height=\"528\" srcset=\"https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Japanese_Grape.jpg 1275w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Japanese_Grape-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Japanese_Grape-1024x681.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Japanese_Grape-768x511.jpg 768w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Japanese_Grape-564x375.jpg 564w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Japanese_Grape-1200x798.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Japanese_Grape-900x599.jpg 900w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Japanese_Grape-720x479.jpg 720w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Japanese_Grape-390x259.jpg 390w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Japanese_Grape-780x519.jpg 780w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Japanese_Grape-510x339.jpg 510w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 793px) 100vw, 793px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-27519\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Clusters of K\u014dsh\u016b grapes<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><em>K\u014dsh\u016b<\/em><span data-contrast=\"auto\"><em>\u00a0<\/em>grapes grow in pinkish-grey clusters under pergola-style<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">vineyards. The distinctive characteristics of <\/span><em>K\u014dsh\u016b<\/em> <span data-contrast=\"auto\">wines made<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">with the <em>Sur Lie<\/em> (\u201con the lees\u201d) production method are a pale<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">straw\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">colour<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0and a soft, fruity and aromatic bouquet with overtones of<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">citrus, white peach and honeysuckle. The taste is clean, delicate and<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">fresh. One might be tempted to say that\u00a0<\/span><em>K\u014dsh\u016b<\/em><span data-contrast=\"auto\"><em>\u00a0<\/em>wines are too delicate,<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">but you cannot separate the wine from the local cuisine.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">When it comes to food,\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Shintaro<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Furuya<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0of\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Haramo<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0Winery told me,<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">the Japanese people value freshness above all else, and that is why<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">they keep seasoning to a minimum in their cuisine.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<blockquote><p><strong><i>\u201cFreshness is the most prized ingredient in Japanese cuisine, so why<\/i><i>\u00a0<\/i><i>would we make a wine that masks its subtle flavours?\u201d<\/i>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Another joy of exploring the region\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">is the\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">prevalence of\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">local farmhouses of the <em>Meiji period<\/em><\/span><em>\u00a0<\/em><span data-contrast=\"auto\">(1868-1912)\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">&#8211;<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0referred to as the \u201c<\/span><em>K\u014dsh\u016b<\/em><span data-contrast=\"auto\">-gable-type\u201d. Many<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">excellent examples of the\u00a0<\/span><em>K\u014dsh\u016b<\/em><span data-contrast=\"auto\">-gable-type house can still be<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">seen throughout <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Katsunuma<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0today. Most notably,\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Marufuji<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0Winery,<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Haramo<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0Winery,\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Kurambon<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> Winery, and <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Katsunuma <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Jyozo <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Winery <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">showcase their wines in some of the most lovingly maintained of these<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">buildings.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_27405\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-27405\" style=\"width: 834px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-27405\" src=\"https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Kurambon-winery-1.jpg\" alt=\"Japanese Kurambon wine cellar\" width=\"834\" height=\"556\" srcset=\"https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Kurambon-winery-1.jpg 1179w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Kurambon-winery-1-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Kurambon-winery-1-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Kurambon-winery-1-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Kurambon-winery-1-564x376.jpg 564w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Kurambon-winery-1-900x600.jpg 900w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Kurambon-winery-1-720x480.jpg 720w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Kurambon-winery-1-390x260.jpg 390w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Kurambon-winery-1-780x520.jpg 780w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Kurambon-winery-1-510x340.jpg 510w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 834px) 100vw, 834px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-27405\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Kurambon Winery&#8217;s cellar<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Top wineries to visit<\/span><\/b><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><b>Marufuji<\/b><b> Winery<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n<figure id=\"attachment_27525\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-27525\" style=\"width: 485px\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-27525\" src=\"https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Marufuji_Winery.jpg\" alt=\"Marufuji Winery\" width=\"485\" height=\"323\" srcset=\"https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Marufuji_Winery.jpg 2560w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Marufuji_Winery-300x199.jpg 300w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Marufuji_Winery-1024x681.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Marufuji_Winery-768x511.jpg 768w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Marufuji_Winery-564x375.jpg 564w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Marufuji_Winery-1536x1021.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Marufuji_Winery-2048x1362.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Marufuji_Winery-1200x798.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Marufuji_Winery-900x598.jpg 900w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Marufuji_Winery-720x479.jpg 720w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Marufuji_Winery-1440x957.jpg 1440w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Marufuji_Winery-390x259.jpg 390w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Marufuji_Winery-780x519.jpg 780w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Marufuji_Winery-510x339.jpg 510w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 485px) 100vw, 485px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-27525\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">The entrance to Marufuji Winery<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Marufuji<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0Winery\u2019s tasting room, with its rich wooden interior, exudes<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">rustic charm.\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">The winery, established in 1890, has converted its old stone and concrete fermentation tanks into a wine cellar holding more than 90,000 bottles.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">The winery\u2019s trademark is \u201cRubaiyat.\u201d <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u201c<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Rub\u00e1iy\u00e1t<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0of Omar<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Khayy\u00e1m<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u201d<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0is the title that Edward FitzGerald gave to his 1859<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> translation from Persian to English of a\u00a0selection of quatrains, stanzas of four lines, attributed to Omar Khayy\u00e1m <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">(1048\u20131131), a<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Persian mathematician, astronomer and poet. By the 1880s, the book<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">was extremely well known throughout the English-speaking world, to<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">the extent that numerous \u201cOmar Khayyam Clubs\u201d were formed. In fact,<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">a fabulous bejewelled edition of the\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Rub\u00e1iy\u00e1t<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0ended up aboard the\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">ill-fated\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">RMS Titanic.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<blockquote><p><strong><i>Art thou a weary, friend, in all thy\u00a0<\/i><i>bones?<\/i><\/strong><br \/>\n<strong><i>Drink wine, red wine, and so forget thy groans;<\/i><\/strong><br \/>\n<strong><i>Wine is unlawful,\u00a0<\/i><i>sayst<\/i><i>\u00a0thou? then say I&#8211;<\/i><\/strong><br \/>\n<strong><i>Who loves not wine had best, I think, eat stones.<\/i>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong><i>Omar\u00a0<\/i><i>Khayy\u00e1m<\/i>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">If you look closely at the walls of the cellar, you will see<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">tartaric acid crystals which are romantically referred to as \u201cwine<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">diamonds.\u201d It seems fitting that although the bejewelled edition of<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">the\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Rub\u00e1iy\u00e1t<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0rests at the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean, diamonds have<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">been hidden in wine since time immemorial.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>Recommendations:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Rubaiyat K\u00f4shu Sur Lie: Fermented in glass-lined tanks and aged on the lees for 7 months, this dry white wine has a charming aroma of citrus, a crisp clean taste, and a faint sweetness of dried fruits.<\/li>\n<li>Rubaiyat Muscat Bailey A Barrel Select:\u00a0This medium-body red wine is made from a Japanese hybrid grape. It\u00a0is fermented in stainless steel tanks and then aged in French and\u00a0American oak barrels for 13 months. The wine has an aroma of\u00a0candied red berries, and caramel, along with fruit\u00a0flavours.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong>Lumi\u00e8re Winery<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n<figure id=\"attachment_27533\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-27533\" style=\"width: 463px\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-27533\" src=\"https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Lumi%C3%A8re-Winery.jpg\" alt=\"Lumi\u00e8re Winery\" width=\"463\" height=\"307\" srcset=\"https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Lumi%C3%A8re-Winery.jpg 1183w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Lumi%C3%A8re-Winery-300x199.jpg 300w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Lumi%C3%A8re-Winery-1024x680.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Lumi%C3%A8re-Winery-768x510.jpg 768w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Lumi%C3%A8re-Winery-564x375.jpg 564w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Lumi%C3%A8re-Winery-900x598.jpg 900w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Lumi%C3%A8re-Winery-720x478.jpg 720w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Lumi%C3%A8re-Winery-390x259.jpg 390w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Lumi%C3%A8re-Winery-780x518.jpg 780w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Lumi%C3%A8re-Winery-510x339.jpg 510w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 463px) 100vw, 463px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-27533\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Lumi\u00e8re Winery<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Lumi\u00e8re winery, founded in 1885, is the oldest family-owned winery in<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Japan and has been operating continuously for over 130 years. Its<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><em>ishigura<\/em><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0(granite wine tanks) date back to 1901 and its wine cellar<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">dates back to 1902. Members of the public can participate in <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Lumi\u00e8re\u2019s<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0annual stone-tank winemaking event held in mid-<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">September. The event begins with a traditional Shinto blessing, of<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">course.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Make sure to walk around the winery to view the many traditional<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">K\u014dsh\u016b<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">-gable-type homes and pergola-style (trellised) vineyards. Due<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">to the relatively high amount of rainfall in summer, which can<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">potentially cause rot, pergola-style vineyards account for 95% of the<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">vineyards in the eastern\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">K\u014dfu<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0Basin.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>Recommendations:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Lumi\u00e8re Koshu Hikari: This white wine is fermented in stainless steel tanks, and aged for 6 months on the lees. It is a dry wine with a fruity citrus aroma and mineral notes.<\/li>\n<li>Prestige Class\u00a0Orang\u00e9:\u00a0This white wine employs the Carbonic Maceration Method of\u00a0fermenting the juice of the grapes with their skins for 2 weeks, and\u00a0ageing in oak barrels. It has a deep orange colour\u00a0and the\u00a0flavours\u00a0of\u00a0apricot, banana and ripe melon with a textured complex palate and\u00a0finish.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Katsunuma Jyozo Winery\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n<figure id=\"attachment_27531\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-27531\" style=\"width: 452px\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-27531\" src=\"https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Katsunuma_Jyozo_Winery.jpg\" alt=\"Katsunuma Jyozo Winery\" width=\"452\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Katsunuma_Jyozo_Winery.jpg 500w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Katsunuma_Jyozo_Winery-300x199.jpg 300w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Katsunuma_Jyozo_Winery-390x259.jpg 390w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 452px) 100vw, 452px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-27531\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Katsunuma Jyozo Winery<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">The walk from Lumi\u00e8re Winery to <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Katsunuma <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Jyozo<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0Winery is truly<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">spectacular. Scan the sea of trellised vineyards for glimpses of<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">traditional architecture and locals tending to their vines. As this<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">winery\u2019s tasting room is next to the road, don\u2019t forget to check the<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">custom-made manhole covers depicting clusters of grapes forged in<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">iron.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Katsunuma<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Jyozo<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0Winery\u2019s tasting room is housed in a 140-year-old<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Japanese merchant\u2019s house from the <em>Meiji period <\/em>(1868-1912). Enjoy the<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">old-world charm of its\u00a0<\/span><em>Kura<\/em><span data-contrast=\"auto\"><em>\u00a0<\/em>(traditional storage house) with its barrel<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">display and its collection of Riedel wine glasses and decanters. Better<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">yet, relax on the winery\u2019s terrace where you will be serenaded by a<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">stream that flows before a scene of vineyards and innumerable rolling<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">mountains in the distance.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>Recommendations:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Aruga Branca Issehara: This single-vineyard dry white wine from Issehara is fermented and aged in stainless steel tanks. In addition to having a gorgeous bouquet of peaches and lime, it has a distinct floral aroma. This wine has an elegant impression giving rise to its unique personality.<\/li>\n<li>Aruga\u00a0Branca\u00a0Pipa:\u00a0This dry white wine is fermented in French oak barrels for 6 months,\u00a0and then aged in the bottle for 2 years. The wine has a soft lemon and\u00a0floral scent with rich oak barrel aroma. It has balanced acidity and a\u00a0smooth finish.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">MGVs Winery\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n<figure id=\"attachment_27534\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-27534\" style=\"width: 622px\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-27534\" src=\"https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/MGVs-Winery.jpg\" alt=\"MGVs Japanese Winery\" width=\"622\" height=\"413\" srcset=\"https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/MGVs-Winery.jpg 1275w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/MGVs-Winery-300x199.jpg 300w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/MGVs-Winery-1024x680.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/MGVs-Winery-768x510.jpg 768w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/MGVs-Winery-564x375.jpg 564w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/MGVs-Winery-1200x797.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/MGVs-Winery-900x598.jpg 900w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/MGVs-Winery-720x478.jpg 720w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/MGVs-Winery-390x259.jpg 390w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/MGVs-Winery-780x518.jpg 780w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/MGVs-Winery-510x339.jpg 510w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 622px) 100vw, 622px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-27534\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">MGVs Winery<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">As you walk along the narrow vineyard roads towards MGVs Winery,<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">you will <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">likely<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0meet the local farmers who seem to genuinely<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">welcome the presence of tourists. The first thing they want to know is<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">where you are from, then they want to tell you about their vineyards<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">and maybe which wineries use their grapes.\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">These chance meetings are a<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">t the heart of <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">sustainable <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">tourism, <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">so <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">despite the <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">daunting <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">language barrier, just jump right in.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">When you arrive at MGVs Winery, you will be welcomed into a chic<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">tasting room with massive windows\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">which look onto<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0the daily<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">operations of the winery.\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">O<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">pened in 2017,\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">it\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">is the creation<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">of a semiconductor manufacturer who has deep roots in local<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">viticulture. When competition from cheaper semiconductor producers<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">became too fierce, the president of the company turned to his family\u2019s<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">traditional vocation, viticulture.\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">U<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">nlike his forefathers, he<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">wasn\u2019t happy to just grow grapes. Thus, MGVs Winery was born.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>Recommendations:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>K537 Koshu N.V. GI Yamanashi: this 100% Koshu sparkling wine, first fermented as a still wine in stainless steel tanks, undergoes its secondary fermentation using the Charmat process. Koshu-specific aroma and taste, along with smooth bubbles, make for a harmonious finish.<\/li>\n<li>B521 Muscat Bailey A GI Yamanashi: this ros\u00e9 wine, finished using the saign\u00e9e method, has a brilliant pink radiance, an exquisite sweet scent of strawberries, and light acidity. It has a pleasant light flavour and a clean dry finish.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<hr \/>\n<p>InsideJapan Tours offers a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/experience-japan\/i-fd999-4\/koshu-vineyard-tour-and-wine-tasting\/\">guided walking tour<\/a> of these family-run wineries in the Yamanashi region, where you can learn more about the history of Japanese winemaking, and sample the good stuff in their tasting rooms.<\/p>\n<h4>Like this post? Help us by sharing it!<\/h4><ul class=\"wpfai-list\"><li class=\"wpfai-list-item facebook\">\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F27396&amp;t=\" title=\"Facebook\" class=\"wpfai-facebook wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-facebook fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><li class=\"wpfai-list-item twitter\">\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/twitter.com\/share?text=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F27396\" title=\"Twitter\" class=\"wpfai-twitter wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-twitter fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><li class=\"wpfai-list-item pinterest\">\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/pinterest.com\/pin\/create\/button\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F27396&amp;description=&amp;media=\" title=\"Pinterest\" class=\"wpfai-pinterest wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-pinterest fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><li class=\"wpfai-list-item linkedin\">\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/linkedin.com\/shareArticle?mini=true&amp;url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F27396&amp;title=\" title=\"Linked In\" class=\"wpfai-linkedin wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-linkedin fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><li class=\"wpfai-list-item envelope\">\r\n      <a href=\"mailto:?subject=&amp;body=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F27396%20-%20\" title=\"E-Mail\" class=\"wpfai-envelope wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-envelope fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><li class=\"wpfai-list-item stumbleupon\">\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/www.stumbleupon.com\/submit?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F27396\" title=\"Stumble Upon\" class=\"wpfai-stumbleupon wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-stumbleupon fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><li class=\"wpfai-list-item reddit\">\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/www.reddit.com\/submit?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F27396\" title=\"Reddit\" class=\"wpfai-reddit wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-reddit fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><\/ul>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Like this post? Help us by sharing it! The origin of Japanese wine is still open for debate&#8230;\u00a0\u00a0 Recently, evidence of ancient grape fermentation has been used by those who support an early origin story. The J\u014dmon people who inhabited the Japanese archipelago from 14,000 BCE to 1000 BCE are said to have used fermentation [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":65,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_sitemap_exclude":false,"_sitemap_priority":"","_sitemap_frequency":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[2366,2367],"tags":[2317,4632,4635,4638,4641,4644,4647],"class_list":["post-27396","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-japanese-food-and-drink","category-japanese-culture-and-history","tag-wine","tag-japanese-wine","tag-winery","tag-vineyard","tag-wine-farm","tag-kofu-basin","tag-koshu-grape"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27396","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/65"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=27396"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27396\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":27647,"href":"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27396\/revisions\/27647"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=27396"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=27396"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=27396"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}