<The origin of Koshu grapes>

The original "Koshu grapes"were brought from Caucasus through the Silk Road and spread in Japan with Buddhism. They took root in Katsunuma, where the natural environment is suitable for grape growing.

They say that was the beginning of viticulture in Japan. People visited the Daizenji temple and made a study of those grapes cultivated in Katsunuma called "Koshu grapes". In this way "Koshu grapes" spread all over Katsunuma. It is said that viticulture of "Koshu grapes" were begun more than 1280 years ago.

There is a legend about the origin of viniculture of "Koshu grapes". According to the legend, in 718 a Buddhist monk named "Gyoki" had a vision of Yakushi Buddha (medical Buddha) holding a bunch of grapes. So the monk established Daizenji temple and began to cultivate the grapes for purposes of medication.

With its long history, "Koshu grapes" reflect the nature and culture of Katsunuma and also Japan. We could say that only the wines made from "Koshu grapes" are true original Japanese wines. We keep improving our growing techniques of "Koshu grapes" to offer excellent wines to the general public and also to connoisseurs.

In Edo period (AD. 1603-1867), Tanashiki-saibai(Trellis-type cultivation) was implemented by the prominent Japanese doctor "Kai-Tokuhon". By using this method, the efficient grape harvest was attained, and it made great progress in viniculture of "Koshu grapes".

About 130 years ago, wine making was encouraged as a national project. Two local young men, (Ryuken Tsuchiya & Masanari Takano) were sent to France to study wine making. After coming back from France, they tried to make the first wine in Japan. However, "Koshu grapes" were unsuitable for wine making. Because "Koshu grapes" were used for medicine, then they were improved for table grapes. Afterwards, viniculture for table grapes was continued.

In the middle of Showa era(1926-1988), sightseeing boom occured in Japan. Katsunuma came into the limelight again as "hometown of the grapes". As a result, vineyards for sightseeing were built, and the farmers made more and more efforts to grow table grapes. Growing "Koshu grapes" required hard work for the farmers, however the unit price of "Koshu grapes" was low. After all the farmers quitted growing "Koshu grapes" and started growing high class table grapes with high unit price. This led to decline of cultivation of "Koshu grapes". At the same time, customs duties on foreign wines were abolished and many foreign wines have been imported. Even in this situation, the wines made from "Koshu grapes " have been continuously made and loved by the people in Katsunuma as an indispensable thing on their dinning table.

With its long history, "Koshu grapes " reflect the nature and culture of Katsunuma and also Japan. We could say that the only wines made from "Koshu grapes" are true original Japanes wine. We keep improving our way of cultivation of "Koshu grapes" to offer excellent wines to general customer as well as connoisseurs.