- Release number
- No.15163
- Posted date
- 2026/10/30
- Category
-
- CSR
Suntory Tomi no Oka Winery Certified as a “Nationally Certified Sustainably Managed Natural Site”
― First Suntory Group Production and Research Site to Receive the Certification ―
― Bringing the Group’s Total to 12 Certification Sites, the Highest Number for a Single Company in Japan ―
Tokyo, JAPAN (October 30, 2026) — Suntory Group is proud to announce that Suntory Tomi no Oka Winery has been certified as a “Nationally Certified Sustainably Managed Natural Site” on October 30. This marks the first time a Suntory Group production and research site has received the certification.
Three of Suntory Natural Water Sanctuaries have also been certified, bringing the Suntory Group’s total to 12 certified sites, the highest number for any single company in Japan.
Suntory Group Sites Newly Certified as “Nationally Certified Sustainably Managed Natural Sites” in the Second Round of FY2026
1. Suntory Tomi no Oka Winery (Kai City, Yamanashi Prefecture)
2. Suntory Natural Water Sanctuary Kyoto Minami-Yamashiro (Kizugawa City / Ide Town, Tsuzuki District / Wazuka Town, Soraku District / Kasagi Town, Soraku District / Minamiyamashiro Village, Soraku District, Kyoto Prefecture)
3. Suntory Natural Water Sanctuary Osaka Shimamoto (Shakudai / Osawa / Yamazaki, Shimamoto Town, Mishima District, Osaka Prefecture)
4. Suntory Natural Water Sanctuary Tennozan (Oyamazaki Town, Otokuni District, Kyoto Prefecture)
In recent years, biodiversity loss has increasingly been recognized as a global challenge alongside climate change. At the 15th Conference of the Parties to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD-COP15) in 2022, a new global goal was established to achieve “Nature Positive” by halting and reversing biodiversity loss and putting nature on a path to recovery. The framework includes global targets such as “30by30,” which commits signatories to conserve or protect at least 30 percent of their nation’s land and ocean by 2030. With events such as the Global Nature Positive Summit held in Japan this July, the momentum towards nature positive continues to grow globally.
To achieve the “30by30” target, the Japanese government launched a certification system in 2023 to recognize areas where biodiversity is conserved through the efforts of companies, local governments, NGOs and others as “Nationally Certified Sustainably Managed Natural Sites.” In 2025, this system was officially enacted as law under “the Act on Promoting Activities to Enhance Regional Biodiversity,” certifying areas where biodiversity conservation is achieved through private sector and other initiatives.
●The Certification of Suntory Tomi no Oka Winery
Great purple emperor and owl observed at Suntory Tomi no Oka Winery
Since opening as Tomi Farm in 1909*1, Suntory Tomi no Oka Winery has spent more than 100 years growing grapes and producing wine that expresses the terroir of “Tomi no Oka,” located north of Mount Fuji with views across the Kofu Basin. To continue its quality craftsmanship at this location for the next 100 years, as well as cultivate natural resources that support local culture through grape growing, the winery is pursuing sustainability initiatives, focused on climate action, coexistence with local communities, and biodiversity conservation.
The certification recognizes the winery’s efforts to maintain an ecosystem that supports a diverse range of flora and fauna, including the near-threatened great purple emperor, widely regarded as Japan’s national butterfly. It also recognizes the presence of 51 bird species across 25 families and 8 orders, including birds of prey such as Ural owls*2 and eastern buzzards.
●The Certification of Three Suntory Natural Water Sanctuaries
Suntory Natural Water Sanctuaries: Kyoto Minami-Yamashiro, Osaka Shimamoto and Tennozan
Since 2003, Suntory Group has cultivated forests in the watersheds surrounding its owned plants in Japan as Natural Water Sanctuaries to enhance water source recharge capabilities and conserve biodiversity. Today, the initiative has expanded to over 12,000 hectares across 27 locations in 16 prefectures in Japan, replenishing more than twice the volume of groundwater withdrawn by its owned plants in the country.
The three newly certified sites were recognized especially for their contribution to biodiversity conservation. Through long-term forest management and monitoring grounded in scientific knowledge, healthy ecosystems suited to each region have been established at all three sites. The breeding of birds of prey such as Ural owls has also been confirmed.
Suntory Group views this certification as recognition of its water source recharge and biodiversity conservation initiatives, as well as its commitment to a nature positive future through its business activities. The Group will continue to promote sustainability management and advance initiatives to coexist in harmony with nature.
Learn more about Suntory Group’s environmental activities here.
*1 Managed by Suntory Spirits Limited (then Kotobukiya) since 1936.
*2 Joint survey with the Japanese Society for Preservation of Birds (April–June 2022)
About Suntory Group
As a global leader in the beverage industry, Suntory Group aims to inspire the brilliance of life, by creating rich experiences for people, in harmony with nature. Sustained by the gifts of nature and water, the Group offers a uniquely diverse portfolio of products across more than 80 countries, from award-winning Japanese whiskies Yamazaki and Hibiki, iconic American whiskies Jim Beam and Maker's Mark, canned ready-to-drink -196 (minus one-nine-six), The Premium Malt’s beer, Japanese wine Tomi, and the world-famous Château Lagrange. Its brand collection also includes non-alcoholic favorites Orangina, Lucozade, Oasis, BOSS coffee, Suntory Tennensui water, TEA+ Oolong Tea, and V energy drink, as well as popular health and wellness product Sesamin EX.
Founded as a family-owned business in 1899 in Osaka, Japan, Suntory Group has grown into a global company operating throughout the Americas, Europe, Africa, Asia and Oceania, with approximately 40,000 employees worldwide drawn upon the unique blend of Japanese artisanship and global tastes to explore new product categories and markets.
For more information, visit www.suntory.com and Drink Smart.
