Nagano Prefecture, a wine-producing region attracting attention not only in Japan but also worldwide.
The "Shinshu Wine Valley Concept" announced in 2013 attracted attention, and from 2023, the "Shinshu Wine Valley Concept 2.0" has started.
The area added along with this concept is the Yatsugatake West Slope Wine Valley.
In the wine-producing region including Haramura, Chino City, and Fujimi Town, high-quality NAGANO WINE is produced. This time, Craft Wine Shop features the winery in the Haramura area, "Yatsugatake Haramura Winery".
Let's introduce wonderful wines you want to drink on Tanabata, July 7.
The noteworthy Yatsugatake West Slope area
The Yatsugatake West Slope area is a new wine-producing region for Nagano Prefecture.
The Yatsugatake West Slope area is called the "Yatsugatake West Slope Wine Valley," and the three wine-producing areas included—Haramura, Chino City, and Fujimi Town—function as the Yatsugatake West Slope Wine Special Zone.
Originally, Haramura had obtained a wine special zone, but with the approval of changes to the structural reform special zone plan on March 31, 2023, the wine special zone target area expanded to include the entire three municipalities of Chino City and Fujimi Town.
In addition to the Yatsugatake Haramura Winery introduced this time, the Yatsugatake West Slope area is home to wineries such as Oreille de Chat Venus Line Brewery, Mizukake Brewery, Minenokura, and kifutato wines, and it is expected to become a wine-producing region attracting attention worldwide in the future.
The characteristics of the Yatsugatake West Slope area include vineyards scattered in cool locations over 800m above sea level, large temperature differences between day and night, and soils that form a complex composition with volcanic black soil and well-drained gravel, making it an ideal cultivation area for wine grapes.
By the way, due to the effects of global warming, the cool climate is changing to an ideal situation with just the right temperature.
A wide variety of grape varieties are cultivated in the Yatsugatake West Slope area.
- Chardonnay
- Riesling
- Pinot Noir
- Gewürztraminer
- Dornfelder
- Merlot
- Tana
- Rkatsiteli and others
The characteristics of wines made in the western foothills of Yatsugatake are elegant and delicate quality, sharp acidity, and fruity flavors that convey refinement, matching global wine trends.
It is an area to look forward to seeing what kind of growth it will achieve from now on.
About "Yatsugatake Haramura Winery"
This time, we introduce "Yatsugatake Haramura Winery," which can be called a pioneer of winemaking in the western foothills of Yatsugatake.
"Yatsugatake Haramura Winery" is a winery located on a plateau at an altitude of 914m in Haramura, Suwa District, Nagano Prefecture.
It was established in October 2022 as the first winery in Haramura, and the village's construction company "Shoei" is behind it.
There are three key points to know about "Yatsugatake Haramura Winery."
- Brewing Manager Mr. Kamakura
- Quality unique to a cool climate
- Wine making that expresses the charm of grapes
Let's convey each of them.
Brewing Manager Mr. Kamakura
The brewing is handled by Hiroyoshi Kamakura from Gunma Prefecture.
Originally, he was in charge of sales at a sake brewing company, but after obtaining a wine advisor qualification at the company, he developed a strong interest in wine.
After being further impressed by the book by Toyoo Tamamura, he was thinking of cultivating wine grapes in his hometown Haramura after retirement, but his father passed away.
With the thought of "I don't know when my time will come, so I want to fulfill my dream while I still have strength," he took early retirement and then became a 6th term student at the Chikuma River Wine Academy, where he began studying grape cultivation and brewing.
After graduating from the same Wine Academy, he underwent training for two years at "Shinshu Takayama Winery" and met Mr. Masatoshi Shimizu of "Shoei."
Mr. Shimizu, who aimed to open a winery in Haramura, invited Mr. Kamakura as the brewing manager and realized the dream of opening the "Yatsugatake Haramura Winery."
If Mr. Kamakura and Mr. Shimizu had not met at that time, the current "Yatsugatake Haramura Winery" might not exist.
Quality unique to a cool climate
The area where the "Yatsugatake Haramura Winery"'s own vineyard is located is a cold region where the outside temperature can drop to minus 15°C in winter.
The field was said to be a rice paddy inherited because the locals said it was fine for anyone to use it freely, and they created the field by considering drainage, sloping it, and returning nutrient-rich topsoil to the top.
The first grape planted for wine was Merlot, and then varieties such as Chardonnay, Cabernet Franc, Syrah, and Sauvignon Blanc were added.
The charm of cool climate regions is that they can harvest grapes with a sharp balance of acidity and fruitiness, but on the other hand, the cool climate makes it difficult to fully ripen grapes.
However, varieties like Chardonnay can be fully ripened, and due to the temperature difference between day and night, the acidity is less likely to drop, resulting in high-quality grapes.
Many aromatic elements and elegant, delicate, yet structured world-class quality grapes are harvested in Haramura.
Wine making that expresses the charm of grapes
"Yatsugatake Haramura Winery" has functional and clean facilities maintained with advice from Eiichi Takano of Shinshu Takayama Winery.
Not only is it equipped with the latest facilities, but it is also designed for easy cleaning after operation.
The brewery is breathtakingly beautiful and thoroughly clean.
Mr. Kamakura aims to make wines that express the potential of grape varieties, especially their aroma and character.
Mr. Kamakura's thorough attention to yeast selection and types of barrels for aging, his positively 'maniacal' aspects, are the secrets that create the distinctive taste of "Yatsugatake Haramura Winery."
At the international wine competition "11th Sakura Award (SAKURA Japan Women’s Wine Awards) 2024," "2022 Kazemeguru Wine Rose" won silver, and the high quality of "Yatsugatake Haramura Winery" is already attracting attention.
From now on, we can't take our eyes off what kind of wines will be created.
Wine to drink on Tanabata
The "Hoshifuru Wine" series is the recommended wine from "Yatsugatake Haramura Winery" that you definitely want to drink on Tanabata.
Haramura, where the winery is located, is called the 'Village of Falling Stars' because the air is clear and the night sky is filled with stars.
Another reason is that the town lights are few, and the night is dark and quiet, creating a more romantic atmosphere.
"Hoshifuru Wine" is named after Haramura, which is called the 'Village of Falling Stars.'
Isn't it the perfect wine for Tanabata, the day when Orihime and Hikoboshi can meet on the Milky Way only once a year?
Also, on this day, there is a custom of eating somen noodles that resemble the Milky Way, and "Hoshifuru Wine" pairs excellently with somen.
It also perfectly handles wine pairing.
By the way, it is said that on the night sky of Tanabata on July 7th, you can see the Milky Way, the Weaver Star (Vega), and the Cowherd Star (Altair).
Furthermore, Tanabata is one of Japan's festival events and is counted as one of the five important seasonal festivals, making it an important day for Japanese people.
Now, let's introduce the "Hoshifuru Wine" series wines in more detail below.
Yatsugatake Haramura Winery / Hoshifuru Wine Chardonnay 2023
A dry white wine made from Chardonnay.
With fresh citrusy aromas typical of Chardonnay, lively sharp acidity, and an alcohol content of 11%, it is a wonderful finish with a medium-body texture despite its modest strength.
The label design, reminiscent of the star-filled night sky of Haramura, is truly romantic.
The sharp acidity and refreshing taste seem to pair well with colorful chirashi sushi loaded with ingredients.
Yatsugatake Haramura Winery / Hoshifuru Wine Chardonnay 2023
2,860 yen
Click here to purchase!
Yatsugatake Haramura Winery / Hoshifuru Wine Blanc 2023
A unique dry white wine with a backbone of two types of Chardonnay from different regions, blended with 18% Sauvignon Blanc.
It is finished with a complex harmony where aromas and flavors that do not appear in individual grapes overlap.
The label is also romantic, featuring grapes designed to look like stars.
With a pleasant fruity aroma, a soft mouthfeel, and a well-rounded umami, it seems to pair well with a wide range of dishes.
If you want to eat somen noodles on Tanabata day, you might want to try choosing this wine.
Yatsugatake Haramura Winery / Hoshifuru Wine Blanc 2023
2,640 yen
Click here to purchase!
Summary
The western foothills area of Yatsugatake produces charming wines that take advantage of the rare high altitude in Japan.
Among them, Haramura is an area where high-quality grape cultivation is possible, and you can look forward to new encounters with Japanese wine.
"Yatsugatake Haramura Winery" is a recommended winery in the western foothills area of Yatsugatake.
For Tanabata, please try choosing wine from "Yatsugatake Haramura Winery."
