With wineries increasing all over the country, many people want to know about producers to watch.
This time, at "CRAFT WINE SHOP," we introduce the winery to watch in the future, "Domaine Kyoko Hosaka."
Also, we introduce award-winning Japanese sake wines brewed by the winery, such as "Delaware Dry Hosaka Harvest 2022."
Please keep an eye on this notable female producer who is expected to lead the future of Japanese wine.
About "Domaine Kyoko Hosaka"
"Domaine Kyoko Hosaka" is a winery named after Kyoko Hosaka, who is both a grower and a winemaker.
Since they do not yet have their own brewery (winery), they call themselves "Domaine Kyoko Hosaka Preparation Room," but they are currently preparing to open a winery in Nirasaki City, Yamanashi Prefecture, the hometown of the owner. (This winery produces wine through contract winemaking.)
There are three essential points to know about "Domaine Kyoko Hosaka."
- After working in food-related jobs, she moved into agriculture.
- From grape cultivation to winemaking
- Dedicated grape cultivation
Introducing the journey of "Domaine Kyoko Hosaka."
The journey of "Domaine Kyoko Hosaka"
Kyoko Hosaka of "Domaine Kyoko Hosaka" is from Nirasaki City, Yamanashi Prefecture.
After graduating from the Department of Cultural Nutrition at Kagawa Nutrition University, he gained experience in food-related work in Tokyo.
He engaged in numerous food-related tasks such as restaurant opening operations, menu development, food-related publishing, projects with cooking researchers, wine sales at wine sections, and food coordinator work in famous professors' books.
During this time, he decided to return to his hometown of Nirasaki City, Yamanashi Prefecture, to learn agriculture, the foundation of food, and began studying agriculture in the vegetable course at the Yamanashi Prefectural Agricultural College's vocational training department, although at that time he never imagined he would be involved in grape cultivation and winemaking himself.
A turning point for him was being entrusted with Chardonnay cultivation at the training school.
While learning vegetable cultivation, he devoted a small amount of time to grape cultivation and finally harvested Chardonnay in September 2016.
The place he chose for contract brewing was that very "Domaine Hide."
This led him to experience grape cultivation and wine preparation as a trainee at "Domaine Hide," and eventually he wanted to produce wine himself under the name "Domaine."
After completing vocational training in 2017, he underwent training at the Prefectural Fruit Tree Experiment Station and an agricultural corporation specializing in brewing grapes, becoming involved in numerous grape cultivation and winemaking activities.
further recognized as a Wine Scientist at Yamanashi University, engaged in wine analysis, research assistance, and brewing at the Yamanashi Wine Center, living a life immersed in wine.
Became independent as "Domaine Kyoko Hosaka," and
Mr. Hosaka started grape cultivation in 2016 and has accumulated extensive experience and achievements.
First released wine in 2019 as "Domaine Kyoko Hosaka Preparation Room."
Currently, the winery cultivates grapes at two locations in Yamanashi Prefecture: "Former Shirane Town, Minami-Alps City" and "Hosaka Town, Nirasaki City."
| Former Shirane Town, Minami-Alps City |
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| Hosaka Town, Nirasaki City |
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"Domaine Kyoko Hosaka" is particular about grape cultivation suited to the terroir of each vineyard.
They focus on "good grape growing" by using reduced pesticides and chemical fertilizers as much as possible, limiting yields to achieve concentration, and maximizing the potential of the grapes.
Currently, the winery is preparing to open in Nirasaki City, so the wines are contract-made.
Depending on the year and variety, the contract wineries differ, including Domaine Hide, Maruki Winery, and Alps Wine.
Furthermore, although it is contract winemaking, she is involved in the winemaking process herself, aiming for clean wine production based on the belief that "good wine comes from good grapes." (Red wines are made without added sulfur dioxide, and some varieties are fermented with wild yeast.)
Since Ms. Hosaka has long been engaged with "food," the philosophy that wine should be enjoyed with meals also influences the taste of the wine.
The wines of "Domaine Kyoko Hosaka," with their concentration, attractive aroma, freshness, cleanliness, and complexity, already have many fans, and some are difficult to obtain due to limited production.
The female producer "Domaine Kyoko Hosaka" is sure to attract attention in the future.
Why not try to feel the charm from the wines she creates?
Recommended wines from "Domaine Kyoko Hosaka"
At "CRAFT WINE SHOP," we handle many wines from "Domaine Kyoko Hosaka."
Among them, let's introduce the wines we especially want to recommend.
"Delaware Dry Hosaka Harvest 2022"
The wine recommended by "CRAFT WINE SHOP" from "Domaine Kyoko Hosaka" is "Delaware Dry Hosaka Harvest 2022."
This wine, which won the Platinum Award at the 5th Washu Award 2024 held in Hong Kong on November 7, is attracting attention from around the world.
The Washu Award is a contest where top sommeliers and industry professionals active in East Asia judge Japanese wine and sake. In 2024, over 70 items were submitted by wineries from 20 prefectures, and strict judging was conducted by 16 judges including chief judge Reeze Choi.
The Platinum Award is a prestigious prize, with only 10 bottles selected among them.
"Delaware Dry Hosaka Harvest 2022" is a white wine made from Delaware grapes grown with reduced pesticides in our own vineyard in Hosaka Town, Nirasaki City.
This is a quality-focused bottle with yield restrictions, contract-made at Alps Wine (Yamanashi Prefecture).
Being a 2022 vintage, the color is a deep orange.
You can enjoy refined aromas such as apricot, ripe fruit, and yellow flowers.
The greatest feature of "Delaware Dry Hosaka Harvest 2022" is its abundant acidity.
Mr. Hosaka himself seems to consider acidity as one of Delaware’s charms, allowing you to enjoy fresh and sharp acidity from the palate to the finish.
The fruity character of Delaware, abundant acidity, subtle bitterness lingering underneath, and an elegant finish that somehow conveys tension within a soft atmosphere is nothing short of remarkable.
For pairing, cheeses with fermentation nuances such as cream cheese, blue cheese, and washed-rind cheese with distinctive flavors are recommended.
It also pairs well with macaroni salad and spiced curry.
Also, based on the wine’s characteristics, pairing it with Chinese dishes using black vinegar, slowly simmered beef tripe stew with white miso, or fresh ethnic-style salads with fish sauce would be interesting.
While the wine alone is satisfying, why not enjoy pairing it with dishes that have a distinctive character, different from fresh and fruity young white wines?
Domaine Kyoko Hosaka Delaware Dry Hosaka Harvest 2022 (White)
3,080 yen (tax included)
Wines from "Domaine Kyoko Hosaka" that we still want you to know about
At "CRAFT WINE SHOP," we offer not only the above wine but also many wines from "Domaine Kyoko Hosaka."
- Muscat Bailey A 2021 (Red)
A red wine made from Muscat Bailey A from the vineyard in Hosaka Town, Nirasaki City.
It is finished with reduced pesticide cultivation and no added sulfur dioxide.
The contract winemaking is done by Domaine Hide.
Domaine Kyoko Hosaka / Muscat Bailey A 2021 (Red)
3,300 yen (tax included)
- Muscat Bailey A Wild Yeast 2020 (Red)
A red wine made from Muscat Bailey A from the vineyard in Hosaka Town, Nirasaki City.
Cultivated with reduced pesticides, this wine uses stainless steel tanks, has no added sulfur dioxide, and is made with wild yeast.
The contract winemaking is done by Carefit Farm Winery.
Domaine Kyoko Hosaka / Muscat Bailey A Wild Yeast 2020 (Red)
4,400 yen (tax included)
- Muscat Bailey A Wild Yeast 2022 (Red)
A red wine made from Muscat Bailey A from the vineyard in Hosaka Town, Nirasaki City.
Cultivated with reduced pesticides, no added sulfur dioxide, and fermented with wild yeast.
The contract winemaking is done by Domaine Hide.
It won the Silver Award at the 5th Wajyu Award 2024.
Domaine Kyoko Hosaka / Muscat Bailey A Wild Yeast 2022 (Red)
3,520 yen (tax included)
- Chardonnay Shirane Harvest 2022 (White)
This white wine uses Chardonnay harvested from the vineyard in the former Shirane Town, Minami-Alps City.
Cultivated with reduced pesticides, the Chardonnay from this vineyard is characterized by a strong aroma, with a crisp acidity and a clean, dry taste.
The contract winemaking is done by Alps Wine (Yamanashi Prefecture).
It won the Silver Award at the 5th Wajyu Award 2024.
Domaine Kyoko Hosaka / Chardonnay Shirane Harvest 2022 (White)
3,520 yen (tax included)
Summary
She is a female producer currently in the spotlight, and her wine is of a quality that the world is paying attention to.
The charm of "Domaine Kyoko Hosaka," which uses good grapes to produce clean and high-quality wine, is sure to continue gaining popularity.
"Japanese wine is becoming amazing."
Please try to encounter the wine of "Domaine Kyoko Hosaka," which makes the drinker feel that way, at the "CRAFT WINE SHOP."
