Grace Koshu 2022

Grace Winery (Chuo Budoshu) was founded in 1923 by Chotaro Misawa in Katsunuma, Yamanashi Prefecture — the birthplace of Japan's wine industry. The region sits in the mountain-ringed Kofu Basin, encircled by Mount Fuji, the Southern Alps and the Chichibu range, with a continental climate of distinct seasons and well-drained soils that have made it ideal for viticulture since ancient times. Katsunuma's hilly Toriibira and Hishiyama districts, in particular, are known for producing grapes of exceptional concentration and flavour.

The winery has a history of innovation, becoming one of the first in Japan to introduce Vertical Shoot Positioning (VSP) in 1990 to improve grape quality. Now in its fifth generation, Grace remains family-run, led by winemaker Ayana Misawa, Chotaro's great-great-granddaughter — and is widely regarded as one of Yamanashi's most respected producers of Koshu.

Made using only Koshu grapes grown above 400m altitude — a standard Grace Wine insists on for this label. In the vineyard, individual grape bunches are given a leaf "umbrella" to protect them from autumn rain. Grapes are picked at peak ripeness and undergo a long, gentle pressing, with the entire fermentation and maturation process carried out in stainless steel.

2022 growing season notes: March to May brought ideal weather — good rainfall and sunshine leading to early budburst and strong early growth. The rainy season ended earlier than usual, with véraison beginning as early as late July, followed by a stretch of steady fine weather that kept the vines healthy throughout. A summer heatwave brought record temperatures across Japan, but Yamanashi saw minimal rainfall, allowing ripening to progress smoothly with no typhoon disruption. At the Misawa Vineyard (700m altitude), harvest of the late-ripening Cabernet Sauvignon wrapped up around two weeks earlier than usual, on 22 October, with Koshu harvested last. Overall, the fruit that came in was notably healthy and high quality.

Described as a pure expression of Koshu: clean and elegant, with light aromatics. Flavours of citrus, wild peach, a hint of yellow pear and jasmine flower run through the palate, finishing with subtle minerality.

Alcohol: 12% ABV
Style: Dry, unoaked, stainless steel fermented and matured