Japanese Wine

As far back as 718 AD the Japanese people have been growing Grapes, we just don’t exactly when they started making Wine.

The first documented evidence of Winemaking in Japan comes during the 16th century when Portuguese Jesuit Missionaries landed in Japan, the leader, Saint Francis Xavier presented gifts to the Japanese feudal lords of Kyūshū, including bottles of European Wine.

We know for sure that Wine was being made during the Meiji era from 1868 to 1912 and that the Grape verity called Koshu was being planted and harvested.

When we look at one of Japan’s famous and traditional drinks, Saké, which is a Wine made from Rice, started production back during the 3rd century BC with the first written record of the word Saké coming from the 3rd century AD. We can only confirm that the manufacture of the drink started in the 8th century AD, although it’s believed to have started before.

Japan is home to over 468 wineries across their country, producing 22 million bottles per year.

The three main regions of Japan are:

• Yamanashi
• Nagano
• Hokkaidō

With some of the most known and popular grapes being used in the production of Japanese wines:

• Koshu
• Delaware
• Niagara
• Kyoho
• Pione