On the last day of my Nagano trip I was in Nagano city for an overview tasting. This invlolved some of the top Nagano wines. Most of the winemakers were…
Nagano region, Japan (15) Domaine Hase/Hikaru Farm
We followed a tiny, icy road in the foot of the mountain, heading up to Hikaru Farm in Takayama Village. This is where Mitsuhiro Hase makes wine, with vineyards ranging…
Nagano region, Japan (14) Domaine Sogga/Obusé Winery
This was my second visit with a winery that I’d classify as Nagano’s best at the moment. Domaine Sogga, also known as Obusé Winery, is based in Obusé and is…
Nagano region, Japan (13) Saint Cousair
We arrived at St Cousair just before sunset on a crisp winter’s day. This is a winery with a view, perched on the top of a hill. There’s an interesting…
Nagano region, Japan (12) Takayashiro Farm
I visited Takayashiro Farm with the president of the company, Ko Takehada, and the winemaker Kenjiro Ikeda. It’s based in Nagano city. Ko Takehada previously worked for a subsidiary company of…
Nagano region, Japan (11) Sun Sun Estate
Sun Sun is the vineyard project of a company called Sun Vision, who own a residence for elderly people in Shioji City. The story of how the vineyard began is…
Nagano region, Japan (10) Vino della Gatta
Vino Della Gatta is a cat-obsessed winery and restaurant, owned by Atsuko Narusawa (centre, in picture below). The winery here is new – it was established last year. In the past…
Nagano region, Japan (9) Izutsu Winery
Based in Shiojiri, Izutsu Winery is, by Nagano standards, quite a big operation. This is part of the Kikyogahara Wine Valley, which is the oldest wine region in Nagano, with…
Nagano region, Japan (8) Northern Alps Vineyards
I head to Omachi, in the north of Nagano Prefecture, in the Nihon Alps wine region. It’s decidedly alpine here, and we’re fringed by mountains, and the vineyard is covered…