◆ Nanyo City

The Shinkansen bullet train running towards Yamagata passes past JR Akayu Station and soon you will be able to see Lake Hakuryu from the car window on the right.

If you look at the vast landscape that spreads out around the lake and the slopes facing South, you can see the vineyards lined up.

The vineyards on these slopes are very well-drained, have plenty of sunshine, different temperatures between day and night, and less rain during maturity to cultivate grapes of great quality.

There are many wineries that have been around for a long time, and many have a homely atmosphere that no major company has.

One of the attractions is that the producers can be seen during the factory tour.

Now that Japanese wine is gaining attention, the day when the name “NANYO” reaches the world, like Burgundy and Bordeaux, may not be so far away.

◆ Ohura Wine

Ohura Wine has since its founding in 1939 used local grapes. It is characterized by a careful wine making process that emphasizes quality over quantity.

They have a good reputation for the deliciousness of the wine and the politeness of the staff, and it seems that many people become fans once they visit.

This proven wine maker has won numerous awards at Japanese wine competitions.

The Wine Shop 312 opened in April of this year as a direct-sales shop a wide range of exclusive products such as wines and juices, as well as jams and raisins using Akayu grapes.

・ Online order site

From sweet dessert wines to heavy-duty types, there is a wide lineup that you can enjoy according to your dinner plans.

There also are products that can be enjoyed by people who are not good with alcohol such as wine using cherries and apples, and straight grape juice.

ONLINE SHOP

◆ Sato Wine

Sato Wine is known for its Kinkei Wine.

It is said that the first generation was named “Kinkei” because the grapes were cultivated in a valley where gold was once collected.

Since this is a family-centered, at-home winery, it seems that they try to make wine carefully without mass production.

This refreshing and tasty wine has many fans.

・ Online order site

There is a wide lineup but make sure to try the Kinkei wine.

The price is reasonable, so why not add some to your everyday meal?

ONLINE SHOP

◆ Grape Republic

Grape Republic makes all-natural wines.

The bottles are known for their impressive labels.

In 2017, Mr. Taira we opened a winery in Nanyo City because the family of Mr. Taira, the representative of the Italian restaurant Salone Group, opened a winery here as his family home in Nanyo was running a grape farm.

A wine that does not use oxidative preservatives, sugar, or acid to give it a distinctive juice-like taste and aroma.

・ Online order site

Wine made in amphorae is said to be “more grape-like than the grape itself.”

Why don’t you enjoy the 100% grape wine at home taking advantage of the climate of Yamagata?

ONLINE SHOP

◆ Sakai Winery

It is the oldest winery in Tohoku and features unfiltered wine.

It is a well-known winery that won 5 stars at the 1st (2018) and 2nd (2019) Japan Winery Awards.

It is a family-run winery with a cozy atmosphere.

・ Online order site

A lineup that you can enjoy during everyday meals or special occasions with wines identified by their fields and varieties’ names, like the reasonable whimsical “Mazekoze Wine” or the “Kohime” wine using Delaware grapes.

Mazekoze Wine is a blend of the starch left when bottling each wine and further racked to make a unique flavored blended wine mixing varieties and vintages!

I’m a little excited.

ONLINE SHOP

◆Yellow Magic Winery

・ Online order site

The Yellow Magic Winery has a special Nigori wine that is bottled without filtration.

It is an all-natural wine in which you can enjoy the fresh taste of grapes and their original mixed fruity tastes.

Please check the website for the characteristics of each wine.

The description of how it is made, what kind of dish it matches with and what its aroma is like are indicated to make you excited before trying it and will be very helpful when choosing a wine.

ONLINE SHOP

◆ Sudo Wine (Shikin Orchards)

Sudo wine is famous for its sightseeing orchard Shikin-en.

The family does everything from grape cultivation to fermentation and bottle filling.

Since it is not mass-produced it is almost never sold outside of Yamagata.

A wine made while cherishing the traditional method, make sure to try it if you come to Nanyo.

· How to buy

There are no online sales but you can purchase the wines at a liquor store in Yamagata Prefecture or directly at the farm.

During the harvest from early August to mid-October you can participate in a wine bottling experience in addition to picking grapes.
Only at a winery can you do that!

◆ Summary

How was the Nanyo edition?

From old wineries to new wineries, you’ll want to try something different and unique.

Why not add delicious Yamagata wine to your daily dining table?

If you have a favorite wine, make sure to come visit the vast vineyards and wineries where it made on your next visit to Yamagata.

Please come and visit Nanyo City once things are back to normal!

We look forward to your visit.