Good grapes, good wine
We grow our own grapes at our own vineyard.
That is the secret to our distinctive grape varieties.
How can we maximize the potential of European varieties or Vitis vinifera in Japan?
We have continually strived to cultivate ever better wines on this land, a land with a terroir, or geographical character,
that is very different from where our grapes came from.
Each of our grapevines is uniquely numbered to allow the collection of individual data.
We analyze this data by variety, temperature, precipitation, and other conditions.
After many years of trial and error, we have accumulated our own viticulture expertise and succeeded in consistently producing grapes for great wines.
Climate variation at Tomi no Oka is so dramatic that cherry trees at the hilltop vineyard flower a week later than their brethren at winery located at the foot
of the hill. This geographic variation allows us to grow each variety in the terroir to which it is best suited the golden rule of winemaking.
Rich in tannins, this resilient red wine variety is suitable for long-term aging. It is the key variety that gives structure to our Tomi Red. It prefers well-drained, sunny fields. Because it is critical that the fruit be fully ripened and well condensed to create the unique flavor of Tomi, this grape variety is planted mainly on a higher slope where sun exposure and water drainage are optimum. The vineyard is maintained to enhance exposure of fruit clusters to sunlight.
This red wine grape variety produces fruity wine with smooth tannins. Merlot's full and rich, fruity flavor are appealing additions to our Tomi Red and Tomi no Oka blends. Because Merlot grapes prefer clay soils, they are planted on the clay-based southwestern slope.
Cabernet Sauvignon is the result of a cross of this red grape variety, which is known to ripen earlier than Cabernet Sauvignon. Its rich fragrance and softness on the palate accentuate the taste of our Tomi Red and Tomi no Oka Red.
Because Chardonnay is highly terroir-expressive, it is grown extensively worldwide. Tomi and Tomi no Oka white wines are made from Chardonnay. To enhance their fruity aroma, our Chardonnay grapes are planted at high altitudes with a southerly exposure.
This white wine grape variety is famous for its wide-ranging flavor, from sweet to dry. Our noble rot, or Botrytis, wine, Noble d'Or, is made from Riesling grapes. Noble rot forms when fully-ripened grapes are infected with a fungus, Botrytis cinerea, under ideal conditions, including temperature, humidity and other complex factors. The fungus destroys the wax in the grape skin, causing moisture evaporation and sugar condensation. This process is called "noble rot." Ideal conditions only present themselves once every few years to allow the production of botrytized grapes. It is a challenge to which wineries that maintain their own vineyards are uniquely suited.
Koshu is a white wine variety indigenous to Japan. Said to originate from a vinifera variety that was introduced through the Silk Road, Koshu is characterized by fresh citrus aromas, like lemons and mandarin oranges, and gentle taste. Our barrel-fermented Koshu is made from this variety. Although Koshu grapes are generally harvested in late September, we wait until late October when they are fully ripened for winemaking.