FAM TRIP

Takahata Town in the Okitama district in southern Yamagata Prefecture,"TAKAHATA WINERY" was established here in 1990. It is located at 38 degrees north latitude, the same as Napa Valley in the United States. It is a world-class winery that represents Tohoku.

Fruit trees have been cultivated here since ancient times, and grape cultivation began in the early Meiji period. The maximum temperature difference between summer and autumn is 20 degrees Celsius, which makes it possible to harvest highly ripe grapes rich in sugar content, acidity, and minerality. TAKAHATA WINERY's mission is to "become a premium winery on a par with the world's most famous brewing areas even if it takes 100 years.” In 2005, the introduction of "Night Harvest" which harvests grapes at night began.

When we arrived at the winery, we were greeted by chief winemaker Mr. Shunichi Matsuda and sales director Mr. Kazuhiro Takahashi. There is a large building resembling a Bordeaux chateau within the 33,000 square meters premises which houses the brewery and winery shop. Next to it is the 3 hectares spread vineyard, it was a spectacular sight.

Chardonnay is so popular in Takahata that it is also called the "Chardonnay Town". The total annual production of Chardonnay in Japan is about 1,300 tons, of which 120 tons, nearly 10%, is made at TAKAHATA WINERY.

The company's own vineyards at Kamiwada and Kimura produce high-quality wines with rich fruity flavours and firm acidity. As for the red wine, Bordeaux-type wines, which are a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, have a good reputation. In addition, we are focused on cultivating with less pesticides, mainly European varieties such as Pinot Blanc, Delaware, Syrah, and Pinot Noir. The total annual production is massive, estimated to 700,000 bottles of wine.

When we entered the brewery, Mr. Matsuda showed us the “saignee” of the Merlot he pressed the day before. Red wine varieties such as Merlot have a low concentration of fruit juice, so only about 20% of the liquid is extracted to extract the phenolic components. By doing so, it is possible to create the red wine with a solid structure that can withstand long-term aging. There are only a few wineries in Japan that do this. This is also the key to making good wine.

Also, it is surprising that TAKAHATA WINERY manages 580 barrels. Of these barrels, 60 are for Chardonnay and 280 for red wine.

For example, when preparing 10 tons of grapes, we divide it into 5 batches of 2 tons each and change the type of yeast and barrel each time. Blending the finished wine creates a complex flavour.

Most people would probably get frustrated halfway through the process of figuring out what's in which barrel and properly managing it. It's work that requires considerable energy and physical strength, but for me it's an essential and important process. No one but Mr. Matsuda, who has accumulated knowledge and expertise over the many years of experience is able to perfect the process.

After visiting the brewery, it's finally time for the wine tasting. TAKAHATA WINERY's portfolio consists of the finest cuvées (Cuvée) "Flagship", "Single Vineyard" made from single vineyard grapes, "Majestic" carefully selected only high-quality wines, "Barrique" aged in oak barrels (Barrique), and the world-class standard wine "Classique" offering a wide range of selections available for your choosing.

Ka Sparkling Chardonnay: Citrus fruit flavour with clear acidity and lively bubbles that stimulates your taste. A versatile sparkling wine that goes well with any meal.

Classic Kamiwada Pinot Blanc 2020:

A bottle made from highly ripe grapes cultivated in the high altitude of Kamiwada district. The citrus scent and taste are well balanced with fresh acidity. It pairs well with tempura and butterbur sprouts.

Barrique Chardonnay Barrel Aged 2019:
Golden glossy liquid. The aroma reminiscent of ripe apples and white peaches and well spread fruitiness, the moderately fragrant barrel scent, and the long-lasting finish are very elegant. Grapes from the company's own fields of "Kamiwada" and "Kimura" are also blended, and the price range of less than 3000 yen is very affordable.

For red wine we compared the tastes of Merlot & Cabernet Sauvignon of "Classic" and "Barrique". Both are blended with a small percentage of Petit Verdot as an auxiliary cultivar for a solid structure. Condensed black cherry-like fruit flavours and accented tannins are well-balanced, enticing you to eat red meat.

TAKAHATA WINERY's wines have won high awards at numerous international competitions, including the Decanter World Wine Awards (DWWA). As a world-class winery representing Takahata Town and Yamagata Prefecture, we believe it will continue to gain popularity.