Nagano Prefecture is attracting global attention as a region producing excellent wines. Among them, the Shinshu Chikuma River Wine Valley (East District) has a climate and soil suitable for cultivating wine grapes.
This time, "CRAFT WINE SHOP" introduces "Gio Hills Winery," located in Komoro City in the same wine valley.
"Gio Hills Winery" is a winery currently attracting attention, producing wines that have won awards at international competitions.
We deliver a set of exquisite wines brewed by this winery.
About "Gio Hills Winery"
"Gio Hills Winery" is a winery located in Komoro, Shinshu, Nagano Prefecture.
True to the name "Gio Hills," meaning "hill where the wind blows," the winery stands on a small hill-like location on the high ground of Mimakigahara in Komoro City.
The first floor is a brewery, and the second floor is a café serving Vietnamese cuisine, making it a unique winery with a breathtaking 360° view that includes Mount Fuji.
On Friday, June 20, 2025, Nakadana Onsen Co., Ltd., the operating company, will open "song," a Restaurant & Stay within the winery grounds where guests can also stay overnight, attracting attention beyond just the wine business.
However, this is only because the quality of the wines produced by "Gio Hills Winery" is high and there are drinkers all over Japan who highly appreciate it.
Let's introduce "Gio Hills Winery" below.
The history of "Gio Hills Winery"
The history of "Gio Hills Winery" can be traced back to 2002.
The story of "Gio Hills Winery" started the same year when Chardonnay was planted in Mimakigahara, Komoro, Shinshu.
From 2008, they planted Merlot, and from 2009, Pinot Noir, gradually expanding their own vineyards.
In 2007, they completed the contract-brewed "Nakadana Chardonnay" for Manns Wine, brewed Merlot in 2011 and started selling "Nakadana Merlot," planted Sauvignon Blanc in 2015, established Geo Hills Co., Ltd. in 2016, and completed "Gio Hills Winery" in 2018.
Why did they decide to establish a winery in Mimakigahara, Komoro?
Masaki Tomioka, representative of Gio Hills Winery, is also the fifth-generation owner of Nakadanaso, an inn associated with Toson Shimazaki, and was influenced by a line from Shimazaki's "Sketches of the Chikuma River": "Is there no way to make myself fresher and simpler?"
While feeling nostalgic when returning to the countryside, they want to make the inn a place where new things are added and visitors feel refreshed each time they come.
That passion has driven not only the inn but also wine, grape cultivation, and the establishment of a new in-house winery.
Now, Tomioka's eldest son and daughter-in-law have taken over Nakadanaso, and the third son, Hayato Tomioka, is in charge of winemaking at the winery.
By the way, Hayato was a first-year student at the Chikuma River Wine Academy and before 2018, the winery was contract-brewing at Arcan Vigne Winery, which operates the academy.
Since then, the varieties cultivated have also increased, including Gewürztraminer and Meunier.
Today, it is renowned as one of Japan's leading wineries, producing wines that have won gold medals at international competitions.
"Gio Hills Winery" grape cultivation and winemaking
Mimakigahara, where "Gio Hills Winery" is located, is a semi-cool region at an altitude of about 700 to 800 meters.
Now attracting attention for its cool climate and low rainfall, it is an environment suitable for cultivating European grape varieties.
Additionally, the large temperature difference between day and night is a feature that leaves the grapes with rich acidity.
The soil is a strong clay type rich in yellow-red clay, and the older it gets, the more it grows into powerful grapevines.
Originally, Mimakigahara was called bad land because it had no rivers and was clayey, making it a very difficult place for farming.
During that time, thanks to land improvement by predecessors, reservoirs were developed, making it possible to cultivate grapes and engage in agriculture.
By the way, Hayato Tomioka, the brewing manager, spent five years in Hue, Vietnam as a Japanese language teacher for NGO activities, and during the time he was away from Japan, he was able to reflect on the environment where he was born and raised.
After returning to Japan in 2015, Masaki Tomioka, the representative, accepted the invitation to make wine together and became a first-year student of the "Chikuma River Wine Academy," which opened that same year.
Additionally, they welcomed a partner from Vietnam, and now his wife is also dedicated to winemaking alongside him.
The wine style of Geo Hills Winery is not fixed to one type; they cultivate excellent quality grapes and aim to produce wines with minimal intervention in winemaking.
The impression is that the winery’s wines can be enjoyed at cafes and restaurants, crafted to be delicate and elegant, expressing Komoro’s terroir, and pairing well with Japanese cuisine.
"Connect to the Future" Complete Set!
Geo Hills Winery continues to produce charming wines that express the terroir of Komoro.
This time, "CRAFT WINE SHOP" recommends the "Connect to the Future 2024 [Complete Set]." *13,200 yen (tax included)
"Connect to the Future" is a wine project series connecting to the future, created by local elementary and high school students of Komoro City, with children involved from grape cultivation to label design and sales.
This wine series is created through activities that root wine culture in the community, where senior students plant grapevines and the following year, junior students take over their care.
The grape variety used is Meunier, a black grape variety used for blending in Champagne, planted in 2021 and harvested in 2024, with a small quantity secured for wine production.
The wines included in the "Connect to the Future 2024 [Complete Set]" are all rosé wines, four types in total.
- Connect to the Future (Vineyard and Goat) 2024
- Connect to the Future (Goat and Grapes)
- Connect to the Future (Glass) 2024
- Connect to the Future (Grape Cluster)
The raw material for "Connect to the Future 2024" is 100% Meunier, fermented and aged with wild yeast in stainless steel tanks.
Also, malolactic fermentation is not performed, characterized by sharp acidity and fruity flavor.
The aroma features red fruits like strawberries and cherries, with a hint of black tea, resulting in a charming and elegant rosé wine.
This time, four types of label designs for wines made with Meunier were created by joint groups of elementary and high school students.
The key points of each wine are introduced below. *Available for individual purchase as well.
Geo Hills Winery / Connect to the Future (Grape Cluster) 2024
A cute yet classical label design featuring grapes and goats.
The label features pink grapes only on the rosé wine, with one grape designed in a heart shape.
The design aimed to appeal to young women as well.
Geo Hills Winery / Connect to the Future (Grape Cluster) 2024
3,300 yen (tax included)
Go to the purchase page here!
Geo Hills Winery / Connect to the Future (Glass) 2024
A colorful glass design with a somewhat resort-like mood.
With the wish that everyone enjoys drinking together, it was designed as a lively pattern sprinkled with grapes.
Geo Hills Winery / Connect to the Future (Glass) 2024
3,300 yen (tax included)
Go to the purchase page here!
Geo Hills Winery / Connect to the Future (Goat and Grapes) 2024
A label design featuring two colorful goats and grapes that make a strong impact.
The winery’s goat made a strong impression, and it is said that two colorful goats are depicted.
The background is the color of the sky, and the design features a cute goat holding grapes in its mouth.
Geo Hills Winery / Connect to the Future (Goat and Grapes) 2024
3,300 yen (tax included)
Go to the purchase page here!
Geo Hills Winery / Connect to the Future (Vineyard and Goat) 2024
A charming mascot-like character that soothes the heart with its label design.
A design combining illustrations of goats and grapes drawn by elementary school students, unforgettable once seen.
It evokes the image of a vineyard heading toward the future.
Geo Hills Winery / Connect to the Future (Vineyard and Goat) 2024
3,300 yen (tax included)
Go to the purchase page here!
Summary
Geo Hills Winery continues to produce wines that express the terroir of Komoro.
The "Connect to the Future 2024" introduced this time is a precious wine born from an important project that connects wine culture to the future, filled with the hopes of the children of Komoro City.
Why not take this opportunity to get one for yourself?
