Kikyougahara

Vest selection of Kikyougahara’s wine from 10 vine yards

The history of Kikyougahara grapes was started by a man called Rikiji Toyoshima.
He was born in Yamabe-mura, which was one of Shiojiri’s neighboring villages.
Influenced by his grandfather who was a grape producer, Toyoshima learned
viniculture in Gunma-ken at the age of 19. A year later, he brought back around 300
grape trees to Kikyougahara, and planted the first one in 1980. He tried planting
more than 20 different kinds of grapes but found that “Concord” is most suitable to begrown in the climate of Kikyougahara. Since then, Kikyougahara has become one of
the major grape-producing places in Nagano-ken, especially for “Concord” and“Niagara” grapes.
In the early 1940’s, Kikyougahara produced bottles of wine named “Merlot” and“Chardonnay” which has become famous world-wide. Today, there are 9 vineyards
and 1 school in Shiojiri producing red, white, and ice wines.
After “Nagano application control” was introduced in 2002, higher standards havebeen set for the production of Kikyougahara wine. Application control is a system
where the quality of taste, cultivation method, and production process need to meet acertain standard. Agricultural products or manufactured goods are also evaluatedfrom the consumer’s point of view. In the wine sector, 68% of the Kikyougahara wine
products are certified under the application control, which is highest in the prefecture.
Kikyougahara wine producers take pride in producing number one wines in theprefecture.

Kikyougahara Wineries
Alps Wine
Since its establishment, only high quality grapes that are sent directlyfrom selected grape producers are used. In order to produce mellow
tasting wines, they pay attentive care and ensure hygienic
management throughout the brewing process.

Hayashi Winery
Grapes used for wine making were homegrown or purchased fromcontracted farms since the year it was established (1919). Regardless,their motto has always been that “good wine is made from qualitygrapes”. On top of that, they take on the challenge to balance theusage of traditional skills and new techniques in wine making.

Izutsu WineEver since its establishment in 1933, their continuous persistency inpursuing improved products has ensured high quality Kikyougahara
wine and has given it unique characteristics. Their commitment isevident throughout the process from viniculture to wine brewing.

JA Shiojiri Wine Factory
Grapes that were grown locally with extensive care are used here. Thatalso makes their wine a 100% Shiojiri product. They put in extra effort
to bring out each type of grape’s own distinct qualities (color, taste andflavor) for rich wines.

Kido Winery
A boutique vineyard operated by a family of three. Though workers arefew, they strive to produce great tasting homemade wine. Thus, inevery bottle of wine, there contains the warmth and love of a family.

Mercian Katsunuma Winery
They brew wine that presents the qualities of Kikyougahara, Shiojiri.
“Kikyougahara Merlot” (1985) won the gold medal in a world classcompetition. Thereafter, many awards have been presented to themand Kikyougahara wine has been made known throughout the world.

Shinano Wine
The passion in fine wine making is shared among three generations in
the family. They give thanks for the rich blessings of the climate in
Kikyougahara and the sustenance from the earth, in which “ShinanoWine” is born.

Suntory Winery
It has provided the original wine ingredients for the infamous “Akadama
Sweet Wine” since the year it was established (1936). They now work
hand in hand with passionate local grape producers and are committed
to produce nothing but Nagano high quality vintage wine.