Japanese Wine Regions: The Kinki Region
(Kinki Region)
1.Overview of the Wine Industry in the Kinki Region
Centered around Osaka, one of Japan’s culinary capitals, the Kinki region is home to a diverse array of unique wineries. Close to urban areas like Osaka and Nara, these wineries benefit from easy access while developing their own distinct styles. Wineries in the Kinki region range from historic establishments to innovative urban wineries and pioneering craft winemakers, including the creators of unfiltered (nigori) wine. Each winery in this area focuses on using locally grown grapes to produce wines that complement the region’s rich food culture, establishing a unique style of wine rooted in local gastronomy.
2.History of Winemaking in the Kinki Region
Osaka has one of the longest histories of winemaking in Japan. Records show that grape cultivation dates back to the Azuchi-Momoyama period (late 16th century), and full-scale winemaking began in the Meiji era. In 1878, Koshu grape seedlings were introduced to Katashimo Village (now Kashiwara City), leading to widespread cultivation. In the Taisho era (1912-1926), wineries were established to utilize surplus grapes from fruit orchards. By the early Showa era, grape cultivation in Osaka reached over 800 hectares, making it one of Japan’s leading grape-growing regions, with as many as 119 wineries at its peak. Despite severe damage from Typhoon Isewan in 1959 and Typhoon Muroto in 1961, and the subsequent urbanization that reduced vineyard areas, wineries like the over-100-year-old Katashimo Winery in Osaka, along with wineries in Kyoto and Shiga, continue the winemaking tradition in the Kinki region today.
3.Main Wine-Producing Areas and Wineries in the Kinki Region
(Osaka,Kyoto and Shiga Prefecture)
Osaka Prefecture
Delaware is the main grape variety grown in Osaka, which ranks third nationwide in cultivation area. Katashimo Winery, located in Kashiwara City, was founded in 1914 and has carried on the region’s traditional grape-growing practices for over a century. Osaka City also hosts the urban winery Shimanouchi Fujimaru Winery, an innovative operation that sources grapes from local farms and produces wine in the heart of the city, allowing easy access for urban consumers.
Kyoto Prefecture
Wineries in Kyoto, particularly in the Tango area and Kyotamba Town, focus on creating wines that align with the local culinary culture. Tango Wine, for instance, emphasizes producing wines that pair well with Kyoto ingredients, crafting wines that reflect the terroir of the region.
Shiga Prefecture
Shiga is home to Hitomi Winery, known as a pioneer in unfiltered (nigori) wines. This winery specializes in non-filtered wines with unique flavors that have gained popularity. Additionally, in Ritto City, a sake brewery has ventured into winemaking, bringing its expertise in fermentation to create new wine products.
4.Grape Varieties and Cultivation in the Kinki Region
Delaware is the primary grape variety in the Kinki region, especially prevalent in Osaka. It is a hardy grape, resistant to disease and well-suited to the warm climate of Osaka and Nara. Delaware also matures early in August, reducing the risk of typhoon damage, which helps ensure a stable harvest. In recent years, the region has diversified with an increasing presence of wine grapes like Muscat Bailey A and Merlot, showcasing a growing variety of local grape varieties.
5.Urban Wineries in the Kinki Region
Shimanouchi Fujimaru Winery in Osaka City has garnered national attention as a pioneering urban winery. Established in 2013, this winery collaborates with local farmers to bring winemaking closer to city residents. With a focus on minimal pesticide use, the winery employs natural methods to produce wines that highlight the true flavor of the grapes. Urban wineries like this one represent a new form of wine culture that connects cities and rural areas, offering residents a chance to rediscover the region’s unique appeal.
6.Conclusion
The Kinki region’s wineries range from long-established historic vineyards to innovative urban wineries, blending tradition and innovation. The region fosters a unique wine culture that complements the Kinki area’s rich food and tourism offerings, with wineries actively working to preserve local grape cultivation. The region’s accessible location near urban centers makes it easy for visitors to enjoy winery tours along with sightseeing. Kinki’s diverse wines, paired with the region’s culinary culture, are well worth exploring.