Striving to bring Japanese wine to the world. Eiichi Okawa Managing Director, Tomi no Oka Winery
We're striving to produce the ideal wine, with a view to global activities.
In a word, my aspiration for the future is for Suntory to become a maker of global wines. Let me clarify so that I am not misunderstood: I'm looking forward to the time when Tomi no Oka Winery's viticulturists strive to create the ideal wine by expanding the focus of their attention from domestic sources to global vineyards. Wine has always been an industry with potential in particular places worldwide. For example, our viticulturists might travel to Australia, develop a vineyard, and create a wine that fulfills their vision for its potential. This aspiration may yet be a dream, but I expect that it will come to pass in the future.
A harsh environment gives us invaluable experience.
We have worked continuously to manage quality data and improve viticulturists' skills. Conditions in Japan make winemaking a difficult proposition. We have comparatively heavy rainfall, and not all areas have soil that is well drained. For this reason, we have had to overcome very difficult experiences in the past. However, these challenges have also given us invaluable experience that would not be possible in other countries. Why do grapes respond in certain ways to certain conditions, and why do unexpected developments occur? We've gained firsthand knowledge of the answers to questions such as these, allowing us to accumulate much expertise beyond the standard information described in the literature. We have experiences that are completely distinct from those of overseas wineries that are blessed with favorable weather and soil conditions.
Managing Director, Tomi no Oka WineryEiichi Okawa
Eiichi Okawa has worked at the Research Laboratories of Alcoholic Beverages and Fermentation Technology, Suntory Research Center and studied at Germany's Geisenheim Grape Breeding Institute. Prior to his current position, he oversaw the development of viticulture and winemaking technologies at Suntory Yamanashi Winery (present-day Tomi no Oka Winery), served as manager of Yamagata Winery, and worked as the head viticulturist at Tomi no Oka Winery.
Our goal is to create wines that are like a Japanese kimono.
We've never believed that our task consists simply of growing grapes in a certain environment. There are ways of making wine that reflect the character of the local terroir. We have developed extensive expertise within a harsh environment, and we have a variety of ideas. As an example, the way we use our rootstock differs clearly from the approach employed overseas, leading our grapes to ripen with a different character and giving rise to distinctive wines. We are by no means attempting to copy French or American wines. Instead, we wish to create wines with a unique Japanese style.
As you know, the popularity of Japanese cuisine overseas has been surging in recent years. The trend in world cuisine points toward soft, gentle flavors, and there is a similar trend in wines. Against this backdrop, we're working to create wines that are like a Japanese kimono. Specifically, we envision a wine that achieves a mild, refined harmony by delivering delicacy or finesse within the context of a basic concentrated strength.
Once we achieve one goal, we seek further refinement by moving on to the next.
Going forward, Tomi no Oka Winery will actively pursue systematic selection in rootstock and other areas in order to create better grapes. We will also conduct exhaustive research in every area since we do not believe that we have reached the point where we can say with satisfaction, “this is the ideal.” We should be able to further refine our wines. Naturally, we accept that this process will take a significant amount of time and effort. I submit that it takes a minimum of around ten years to create a single wine of exceptional quality. Even if we feel a sense of accomplishment at having created the perfect wine at that stage, the winemaking process will not be complete. We believe there's always another step to take.