We have come to often hear the phrase that Japanese wine is also accepted worldwide.
However, many people vaguely do not know which producer from which region makes wine with 'quality recognized worldwide.'
This time, for such people, we will introduce a winery that 'CRAFT WINE SHOP' confidently recommends.
That is the winery in Miyoshi City, Hiroshima, 'Vinoble Vineyard & Winery (hereafter Vinoble Vineyard).' Once you taste it, everyone becomes captivated by its 'high quality.'
In this article, we will convey the charm of Vinoble Vineyard.
About Vinoble Vineyard
Vinoble Vineyard is a winery located in Miyoshi City, Hiroshima Prefecture, in the center of the Chugoku region.
Although it is a new winery established in 2021 by Mr. Takashi Yokomachi, the representative, grower, and winemaker of the winery, through the crowdfunding 'Hiroshima-grown Wine Fund focusing on seedlings,' it has already attracted great attention for producing wines of world-class quality.
The trigger for this was the International Wine & Spirit Competition 2022 (IWSC), a globally prestigious wine competition held in 2022.
The winery's 'Sauvignon Blanc 2021' won the gold medal with the highest score of 95 points. (The only other wine with the same score is from a winery in Marlborough, New Zealand, the holy land of Sauvignon Blanc.)
Winning the gold medal was the first time for a privately owned winery in Japan.
It was a moment that shocked wine professionals around the world.
Furthermore, at the dinner of the G7 Hiroshima Summit 2023 Partners Program, the Semillon sparkling was chosen as the toast wine, and Vinoble Vineyard continues to produce wines of quality that Japan proudly presents to the world.
Why is Vinoble Vineyard's wine so highly regarded?
Let me tell you the secret.
The person Takashi Yokomachi
Takashi Yokomachi, the representative of Vinoble Vineyard, graduated from the Brewing Department of Tokyo University of Agriculture and has trained at some of Japan's top wineries such as "Miyoshi Winery" and "Katsunuma Brewing."
Afterwards, he was active as a brewing consultant, but at the same time, he also serves as the executive director of the grape seedling sales company "Lag Phase," showing a diverse and multi-faceted career.
Mr. Yokomachi, who possesses exceptional brewing skills, also has top-class dedication to grape cultivation.
He is a self-proclaimed clone enthusiast, and his own fields cultivate clones of Pinot Noir such as Abel and mv6, and a type of Sauvignon Blanc clone called NZ MS, showing a dedication like famous wineries in world-renowned wine regions.
Even in Japan, major wineries are working on adjusting the plots cultivated by clones and the winemaking process, but there are probably few small individual wineries that are so thorough.
Also, more than 20 grape varieties are cultivated, including overseas varieties that are still rare in Japan, and there is no doubt that new wines will continue to be produced from Vinoble Vineyard.
Although the winery is highly recognized as a winery acknowledged worldwide, it was established in 2021 and is still young.
Because of that, we look forward to Mr. Yokomachi's future challenges.
Commitment to trellis cultivation
When you hear about wines that rival those of the world, you might imagine that "grapes are grown in hedges."
As is the case with famous wine-producing regions worldwide, famous wineries in Japan also actively adopt hedge cultivation.
On the other hand, Vinoble Vineyard is characterized by its commitment to "trellis cultivation."
Miyoshi City, where the winery's fields are located, is a basin-shaped area with a large temperature difference between day and night, and it is also relatively cool in summer, making it known as a production area suitable for cultivating elegant and high-quality grapes with "color development, aroma, sugar content, and acidity."
On the other hand, this production area has a lot of rainfall during the growing season, and there are many risks that make healthy grape cultivation difficult, such as the autumn rain front that comes just before harvest, typhoons, heavy rain, and sudden downpours.
After exploring various cultivation methods, Mr. Yokomachi decided to adopt a cultivation method that installs rainproof vinyl on trellis cultivation to reduce these risks.
The method that suits the land and the importance of harvesting healthy grapes.
For Mr. Yokomachi, who aims to produce clean wine, it is more important than anything that the grapes used as raw materials are healthy.
By the way, the fields do not use herbicides or chemical fertilizers, and only compost fermented from food residues and bark compost is used.
Trellis cultivation to bring out the land's quality is another key point why Vinoble Vineyard's wines are highly regarded.
Commitment to winemaking
Mr. Yokomachi, active as a winemaking consultant, aims for clean wines that express varietal characteristics.
While prioritizing healthy fermentation and aging to express varietal characteristics, he carefully finishes the wine by trying many patterns to create a well-balanced wine based on the condition of the harvested grapes.
Gentle handling, meaning minimal human intervention, is also a characteristic of the winemaking style.
Aiming for a luxurious style close to grand vin, Mr. Yokomachi wants discerning old wine fans to know that Japanese Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir are of comparable quality.
By the way, Miyoshi City in Hiroshima Prefecture is known for dense fog called "Sea of Fog" from late autumn to early spring, and Mr. Yokomachi hopes to someday make the best noble rot wine in this area.
Using his own knowledge, experience, and skills in grape cultivation and winemaking, he harvests healthy and high-quality grapes with cultivation methods suited to the land, and carefully crafts the wine to bring out the grapes' charm.
Please enjoy the wines created by Mr. Yokomachi, who sincerely wants to make delicious wines and show that Japanese wines can compete globally.
"CRAFT WINE SHOP"'s top 3 recommended wines from Vinoble Vineyard
As "CRAFT WINE SHOP," we recommend all wines produced by Vinoble Vineyard.
However, among them, we have carefully selected three gems that Japanese wine fans should definitely try.
From here, let us introduce three recommended wines from Vinoble Vineyard by "CRAFT WINE SHOP".
Vinoble Vineyard Chardonnay Barrel Fermentation 2022
Vinoble Vineyard became famous for Sauvignon Blanc, but it is also known for the high quality of its Chardonnay.
"Vinoble Vineyard Chardonnay Barrel Fermentation 2022" uses carefully harvested Chardonnay from our own vineyard.
Barrel fermented in French oak barrels, underwent malolactic fermentation in the barrel, followed by 9 months of barrel aging.
A rich Chardonnay with well-balanced abundant fruitiness, barrel aroma, and acidity.
Enjoy pairings that match the wine's intensity, such as rich dishes using cream sauce or dishes with a smoky aroma to harmonize with the barrel-derived scent.
Vinoble Vineyard Chardonnay Barrel Fermentation 2022
Including tax 4,500 yen
Vinoble Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc 2022
Sauvignon Blanc, which can be said to be the face of Vinoble Vineyard's Sauvignon Blanc.
A bottle that brings out the varietal characteristics, made from Sauvignon Blanc carefully cultivated and harvested in our own vineyard and vinified with gentle handling.
A balance of typical Sauvignon Blanc aromas like citrus and melon, scents reminiscent of Japanese herbs, and fresh acidity is its charm.
A wine that pairs well with Japanese cuisine and offers a wide range of pairings.
By the way, the 2021 vintage won gold at the IWSC.
Vinoble Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc 2022
Including tax 3,699 yen
Vinoble Vineyard Pinot Noir 2022
Miyoshi City, where excellent Pinot Noir can be harvested.
A high-quality Pinot Noir carefully harvested in our own vineyard and vinified with gentle handling.
Aged for 12 months in barrels, with the typical Pinot Noir's gorgeous red fruit, floral scents like rose and violet, it is finished as an elegant and umami-rich bottle.
The barrel aroma and tannins are elegant, a flavor that can only be created by Vinoble Vineyard, which fuses the Burgundy Pinot and the best of Japan.
Vinoble Vineyard Pinot Noir 2022
Including tax 4,500 yen
Summary
Vinoble Vineyard, attracting attention not only in Japan but worldwide.
Since it is a small winery, the production volume is also small, and some wines are difficult to obtain.
"Has the quality of Japanese wine finally reached this level?"
If you drink Vinoble Vineyard's wine, everyone will utter this phrase.
A chance to obtain precious wine, please check out Vinoble Vineyard's wines.
※Currently, Vinoble Vineyard is conducting crowdfunding to aim for a gold prize with "noble rot wine"!
Please be sure to check it out as well.
The page is here!
