[Food & Beverages domain]

Château Mercian To Launch First Permanent English Tours At Katsunuma Winery And Mariko Winery In June

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May 26, 2023

Mercian Corporation

TOKYO, May 26, 2023 –Mercian Corporation (Mercian) will launch a new permanent Château Mercian Winery English Guided Tours at both Château Mercian Katsunuma Winery and Château Mercian Mariko Winery on June 26, 2023.

The number of foreign visitors to Japan in recent years decreased significantly in 2020 and 2021 due to COVID-19. However in 2022, it was approximately 10%*1 of the pre-COVID-19 level in 2019 due to the resumption of entry for tourism purposes in June, the gradual relaxation of border control measures, and the full-scale resumption of inbound tourism from October. The most recent April 2023 figure was 1,949,100 (estimate), close to 2 million visitors, approximately 70%*2 compared to the same month in 2019, and following March this is a record high since the resumption of individual travel in October 2022. A significant recovery in inbound demand is expected in the future.
*1 Japan National Tourism Organization, Trends in Visitor Arrivals, December 2022 estimate
*2 Japan National Tourism Organization, Trends in Visitor Arrivals, April 2023 estimate

Château Mercian has been committed to the development of Japanese wine as a whole by introducing new cultivation methods and challenging new winemaking techniques since the early days of Japanese wine, with the vision of “Japan recognized as one of the world's foremost wine regions.” In order to realize this vision, the wineries will each establish a new English-language tour program with the aim of making Japanese wine an alcoholic beverage loved and enjoyed not only by people in Japan but also by people around the world, and to convey the value and appeal of Japanese wine and Château Mercian to people overseas through the winery tour experience.

Château Mercian Katsunuma Winery

The Château Mercian Katsunuma Winery has a 145-year lineage of winemaking, the Château Mercian Wine Museum, which was renovated from the oldest wooden winery in Japan, is located on the premises. The winery is easily accessible, being only about 100 minutes from Tokyo by train. The winery grows and vinifies mainly Koshu and Muscat Bailey A grapes, which are varieties indigenous to Japan, and allows visitors to fully enjoy the history and charm of Japanese wine.

Château Mercian Mariko Winery

Surrounded by 360-degree vineyards, this winery grows and vinifies international varieties of wines such as Syrah and Chardonnay and has received high international acclaim, including awards at overseas competitions. It was also selected as the 30th best winery in the world in the "World's Best Vineyards 2020*3," an award that selects the world's best wineries engaged in wine tourism in 2020, and has been the only Japanese winery selected for three consecutive years up to 2022, the most recent year of selection.

In addition, Mercian is working to revive and conserve Japan's “satoyama” (society in harmony with nature) environment by converting idle and derelict land into vineyards, and to positively impact biodiversity through the use of hedged and grass-cultivated vineyards.

In January of this year, the Château Mercian Mariko Vineyard has been selected as an approved site for the Ministry of The Environment’s 30by30 Alliance For Biodiversity.
*3 The International Wine Challenge (IWC), the world's premier wine competition, is hosted in the United Kingdom, organized by William Reed Business Media.

The Château Mercian Winery English Guided Tours will take full advantage of the features of both the Château Mercian Katsunuma Winery and the Château Mercian Mariko Winery. English-speaking staff members will be on hand to "convey the value of Japanese wine” and Château Mercian to consumers at the winemaking site. Château Mercian also aimed to create a tour that only it could offer from the perspective of "environmentally friendly winemaking" and contribution to the Japanese wine market.

By inviting visitors from Japan and abroad to each of its wineries to experience Château Mercian's winemaking, the Kirin Group aims to expand wine culture to many consumers and enhance the brand’s value and the value of Japanese wine. In addition, Château Mercian will contribute to the revitalization of the region and further develop the Japanese wine industry.

About Kirin Holdings

Kirin Holdings Company, Limited is an international company that operates in the Food & Beverages domain (Food & Beverages businesses), Pharmaceuticals domain (Pharmaceuticals businesses), and Health Science domain (Health Science business), both in Japan and across the globe.

Kirin Holdings can trace its roots to Japan Brewery which was established in 1885. Japan Brewery became Kirin Brewery in 1907. Since then, the company expanded its business with fermentation and biotechnology as its core technologies, and entered the pharmaceutical business in the 1980s, all of which continue to be global growth centers. In 2007, Kirin Holdings was established as a pure holding company and is currently focusing on boosting its Health Science domain.

Under the Kirin Group Vision 2027 (KV 2027), a long-term management plan launched in 2019, the Kirin Group aims to become “A global leader in CSV*, creating value across our world of Food & Beverages to Pharmaceuticals.” Going forward, the Kirin Group will continue to leverage its strengths to create both social and economic value through its businesses, with the aim of achieving sustainable growth in corporate value.
* Creating Shared Value: combined added value for consumers as well as for society at large.

Outline of Château Mercian Winery English Guided Tours

1.Château Mercian Katsunuma Winery English Guided Tour

This is a special private tour that allows visitors to fully experience the history of Château Mercian and Japanese wine, and the fascination of Japanese varietal wines using all five senses. After visiting the historic Château Mercian Wine Museum, vineyards, winemaking facilities, and underground cellar, you will have a tasting in the Ortus Room, a special space surrounded by barrels. The tasting will feature a total of six wines selected by the winemaker for this tour, including “Koshu” and “Muscat Bailey A”, both varieties indigenous to Japanese wine.

1.Date June 26, 2023 or later on winery business days *Advance reservations required.
2.How to apply Applications will be accepted from May 26 on the tour reservation page of the "Château Mercian" brand website.
https://chateaumercian.com/en/our-wineries/katsunuma/tour

Enter the necessary information (contact information, desired date of visit*, number of people, etc.) and make a reservation.
A representative will contact you within a week to confirm the date and time of your visit.
*Please specify up to your second choice of date within the first month after the date of application.
*Please note that we may not be able to meet your request depending on the number of applications received.
*Please note that we may not be able to meet your request depending on the availability of your application.
3.Duration Approximately 120 minutes
4.Capacity Groups of 2 to 6 persons (reservation required)
*Minimum number of participants is 2.
5.Participation fee 15,000 yen per person (tax included)
For those coming by private car: Driver fee 5,000 yen (tax included)
6.Contents Guided tour of the Château Mercian Wine Museum, the Iwaimura Vineyard, the vinification facility, the F Cellar, the underground cellar, and tasting of 6 wines including 2 iconic wines in the special "Ortus Room". *Snacks of cheese, salami, etc., and an original Château Mercian gift are included.

6 types of wine tasting *Subject to change depending on availability.
・Château Mercian Jyonohira Ortus (red)
・Château Mercian Iwade Koshu Ortum (white)
・Château Mercian Shiojiri Merlot (red)
・Château Mercian Hosaka Muscat Bailey A Single Vineyard (Grower: Mr.YOKOUCHI) (red)
・Château Mercian Hokushin Chardonnay “Cuvée Akio" (white)
・Château Mercian, Niitsuru Albanillo (white)

*Persons under 20 years old are not allowed to participate (including accompanying persons).
*English-speaking staff will be on hand to guide you through the tour. Under certain circumstances, an interpreter may be provided, but this will be announced in advance.
*Wine tasting is not available for those who will be driving a car or using a bicycle on the day of the tour, and those who are pregnant or lactating.
*Non-alcoholic wine (1 bottle/360ml) will be provided for those who pay the driver's fee.

Château Mercian Katsunuma Winery Outline of facilities

1.Location 1425-1 Shimo-Iwasaki, Katsunuma-cho, Koshu City, Yamanashi Prefecture
2.Phone 0553-44-1011 (9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.)
3.Business hours Château Mercian Wine Museum 9:30-16:30
Wine Gallery Wine Shop 10:00-16:30 / Tasting Counter 10:00-16:00 last order 16:00
4.Closed Year-end and New Year holidays
*Closed during winter and other irregular holidays. Please check the Château Mercian brand website for details.
5.Access ・By train:8 minutes by taxi from "Katsunuma Budokyo Station" on the JR Chuo Main Line, or 10 minutes by taxi from "Shioyama Station" on the same line.
        
・By car:5 minutes from the “Katsunuma IC” of the Chuo Expressway.

2.Château Mercian Mariko Winery English Guided Tour

This is a special private tour where you can experience the charm of Japanese wine at a winery that coexists with nature, the community, and the future. After viewing the vineyards, winemaking facilities, and barrel cellar, you will have a tasting in the "Omnis Room," an open space overlooking the vineyard. During the tasting, you will enjoy a total of six international varietal wines selected by the winemaker for this tour, including Château Mercian Mariko Syrah, which has received high praise at international competitions and was served at the G7 Summit (G7 Foreign Ministers Meeting in Karuizawa, Nagano) this April.

1.Date June 26, 2023 or later on winery business days *Advance reservations required.
2.How to apply Applications will be accepted from May 26 on the tour reservation page of the "Château Mercian" brand website.
https://chateaumercian.com/en/our-wineries/mariko/tour

Enter the necessary information (contact information, desired date of visit*, number of people, etc.) and make a reservation.
A representative will contact you within a week to confirm the date and time of your visit.
*Please specify up to your second choice of date within the first month after the date of application.
*Please note that we may not be able to meet your request depending on the number of applications received.
*Please note that we may not be able to meet your request depending on the availability of your application.
3.Duration Approximately 100 minutes
4.Capacity Groups of 2 to 10 persons (reservation required)
*Minimum number of participants is 2.
5.Participation fee 15,000 yen per person (tax included)
For those coming by private car: Driver fee 5,000 yen (tax included)
6.Contents Guided tours of the Mariko Vineyard, vinification facilities, cellar, and barrel cellar, and tasting of 6 wines including two iconic wines in the special Omnis Room* Snacks of cheese, salami, etc., and an original Château Mercian gift are included.

Tasting of 6 wines *Subject to change depending on availability.
・Château Mercian Mariko Omnis (red)
・Château Mercian Hokushin Right Bank Chardonnay Rivalis Or Château Mercian Hokushin Left Bank Chardonnay Rivalis (white)
・Château Mercian Mariko Syrah (red)
・Château Mercian Mariko Merlot (red)
・Château Mercian Mariko Chardonnay (white)
・Château Mercian Mariko Sauvignon Blanc (white)

*Persons under 20 years old are not allowed to participate (including accompanying persons).
*English-speaking staff will be on hand to guide you through the tour. (Under certain circumstances, an interpreter may be provided, but this will be announced in advance.
*Wine tasting is not available for those who will be driving a car or using a bicycle on the day of the tour, and those who are pregnant or lactating.
*Non-alcoholic wine (1 bottle/360ml) will be provided for those who pay the driver's fee.

Château Mercian Mariko Winery Outline of facilities

1.Location 146-2 Nagase, Ueda City, Nagano Prefecture
2.Phone 0553-44-1011 (9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.)
3.Business hours Wine store 10:00-16:30 / Tasting counter 10:00-16:00 last order 16:00
4.Closed Year-end and New Year holidays
*Closed during winter and other irregular holidays. Please check the Château Mercian brand website for details.
5.Access ・By train:10 minutes by bus or taxi from Shinano Railway “Oya Station,” 25 minutes by taxi from JR Hokuriku Shinkansen and Shinano Railway “Ueda Station.”
        
・By car:10 minutes from “Tobu-Yunomaru IC” on the Joshinetsu Expressway.

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